The economy was finally rebounding after the 1929 stock market crash. Ford would improve its position in the truck market by dropping its 4-cylinder engine for a V8 in 1934 and discontinuing the use of open cabs on their trucks. Besides pickups, they also served the transport market, using its Model BB chassis for products like school buses. This ’34 Ford bus was used in a transit department in the State of Washington and looks to have survived well for being 87 years old. It’s available now in Hayward, California, and here on craigslist where the asking price is $15,000.
This bus was no doubt in the employ of the Yakima Valley Lines back in the day. There isn’t any reference to YVL online, but it would appear to be a predecessor of Yakima Transit, the area’s current mass people mover. Yakima Transit began using trolleys as the Yakima Valley Transportation Co. in 1907. They advanced to motor buses in 1924 with both Mack and Ford providing these vehicles. Streetcar services ended in 1947, leaving the buses to get the job done. After a couple of turnovers, Yakima Transit was formed in 1978.
How this bus has managed to hang around all these years and wear what appears to be its original markings isn’t known. Perhaps the seller can provide more information to interested parties. We’re told that its flathead V8 motor is in running condition, but the bus will require a new gas tank to function without assistance. The mileage is unknown, nor do we know what else might be needed to make it roadworthy again, such as new tires.
All-in-all, this vehicle is quite impressive. We don’t see any real issues with the body or paint and the interior is worn, but nothing that wouldn’t take much to fix. Interesting how this bus comes with tables so passengers could eat or play cards while they take their bus ride. If this old Ford could talk, I’ll bet it would have some great stories to tell. The big question is this: if you bought it, what would you do with it? Someone in the Pacific Northwest likely has a collection or museum that this thing would be perfect in. Or maybe put it back into service as a vintage limo!
This thing is beyond cool. It could be turned into a roadside cafe. Perhaps a taco or burrito or tamales or any other roadside food service vehicle. I’ve seen several similar such vehicles here in Texas.
God bless America
This bus is from Yakima, Washington, and was part of the electric transit /
trolley service in that region.
Look up YVT and Union Pacific and you’ll find it.
Not true. This bus is not a YVT bus. The buses of this type that were used by YVT were built by Mack and were bigger and heavier. YVT did not buy buses from Ford. And YVT did not letter any of their equipment Yakima Valley Lines. They used either YVT Co. or Yakima Valley Transportation Co. I suspect this bus was either a school bus or a jitney that someone painted up for a fantasy bus.
this would fit right in at the Greenfield Village Old Car Festival. The bus currently used is “too new” for hauling the visitors.
It’ll be the only one at your local car show, that’s for sure.
This would be great as a trolley/dinner ride in downtown Greenville SC or a great nostalgic ride at the Spring Water Festival in Williamston SC.
I live in Yakima- was amazed to see Yakima Valley Lines on this bus – that’s in California. 🤔 It would be interesting to know the history of this very cool unit. There are about 5 miles of the original trolley tracks remaining. A volunteer group works to restore, repair, and operate the original electric trolleys which predated this bus. They operate out of the original building and DC power plant from 1910. In addition the Yakima Vintiques car club is holding a rod run at the Fairgrounds today. Fun stuff.
russ , plz call me very interested 206-595-5845 , serious
russ, plz call me ,,very interested buying bus ,206-595-5845
can i get your ph # ?? or email ?
In the first paragraph of this post is a link to the Craigslist ad. Better chance of finding the owner there.
21-stud flathead with water pumps on the heads.. years of production ?
I think ’37 was unique, 21-stud with pumps on the block ?
Dan,
This appears to be the correct engine for the ’34 Ford truck. The water pump in the head type was replaced with pumps that doubled as the front engine block mounts.
i tried many times to find his ph# ,,,no luck , plz would u email me the ph # , i am a buyer , want to buy the bus , or email me copy where is his ph # on craig’s list plzzzzz
can anybody help me get this sellers ph # …plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Jose, best to see their listing with a REAL computer and get off your phone. Here’s the email address to paste:
b1a836759e6b334f916dcd9e09b7c088@sale.craigslist.org
Hope you get it!
russ, been tring my best with the help of craigs list staff to get in contact with you , i used their email they sent me , in hopes youget it . plzzzzz call me 206-595-5845 , my email is xxxrootbeerx@aol.com
i willbuy your bus ,,, waiting
Jose, READ my previous response to you. It couldn’t be easier!
Hello!
I live in Yakima and own a shuttle/tour company – Little Hopper. This is amazing and would be perfect to bring home!
Russ may have got it from some1 else.
U R in the competition like any 1 else.
U must send a post to:
c27973bd0aa73d8da8e0e2e63a8538a6@sale.craigslist.org
Dad rode around in 1a’dese w/plywood sides during the depression. Too far out to walk, both parents busy, the buss hit those in the ‘middle lands’ – too far to walk, so far out it didn’t catch the horse riders. Those kids didn’t come in regularly anyway…
My era (50s/60s) we walked, rode bus or the ‘far outs’ hada parent drive. I was all ways a fart and in the grades hada fella in town who owned livery – come pick up enuff of us that the jump seats were used by the lill kids (8 or 9 kids’n the ‘cab’ driver). By hi skol we drove ourselves or the bus came out & we hada get on 1st & off last which made a very long commute, near 2 hrs (45 min w/a direct drive but we went all over the ‘outskirts’ in that bus). Last week of school I walked home as it was just too longa ride 4 me & I loved the route’n the solicitude.
russ, have u sold ur bus ? plz let me know 206-595-5845
Thinking this would be OK in some private setting, but to haul passengers on public roads would require numerous upgrades which would be both cost prohibitive and would destroy the historic character. In many states, anyway. Maybe eligible for some kind of historic exemption, but not sure that would be wise from an insurance/liability standpoint.