About Fun Fleet Bus #5246
Some Specs
#5246
Vin: TDH-5301-2108
Built March 1961 for LAMTA, Los Angeles
First generation
102 inches wide/40 feet long, two door
6V71 Detroit/Allison VH-1 transmission
49 seats, American seats, forward facing
Added to Fun Fleet
This bus was purchased from SCRTD Los Angeles. I purchased it in 1979. I have actually owned this one longer than SCRTD did. If I didn't have great friends at the SCRTD, this would have never happened. I was visiting South Park shops and noticed #5246 out of service because of a rear end collision. At the time I was buying ALL of SCRTD's scrap buses for just $50 each. They would strip them for parts, e.g. power plants, and I would get them for scrap. In this case I asked them to sell 35246 to me for $500, less the power plant.
A "first" for SCRTD
Now they had never done this before since, usually, buses go to auction. They agreed to let me buy it. I think I have never been more excited about buying a bus than this one. I always loved these double floor buses. They had the best rid of all fishbowls and had all the sounds and details I loved.
The Repair of Fun Fleet Bus #5246
Coming Home
Not That Bad
Not That Bad
I towed the bus back to my Santa Fe Springs yard and we went to work on it. First, I had to remove the power plant and radio equipment and return it all to SCRTD, as promised. Next, evaluate the damage.
Not That Bad
Not That Bad
Not That Bad
Actually, it wasn't bad. Repair the rear bulkhead and change a few panels. I did this and I painted it back into the LAMTA green paint scheme. We got it all together and I invited everyone to ride to Sacramento for a big train show.
Power Trip
Not That Bad
Power Trip
Over the years I did change the power plant one more time. I wasn't satisfied with the first one. I also replaced the transmission along with routine maintenance over the years
Fun Fleet Bus #5246
When and Where Did it Go?
Fun Fleet Bus #5246 is still here, just outside my door, and I see it every day. It runs like a top and we all love this bus. I don't ever plan to sell #5246
If You Live In California
The 30 buses with automatic transmissions were assigned to the Disneyland service as well as the Pasadena and Santa Ana runs. GM did not offer this combination to any other operator for years, until 1971 when Gold Gate Transit gave them a big order and insisted on Wide body, double floor, forward-facing seats. This became an option available after 1971. Many operators ordered these modified New Looks, but only with one door (Check out bus #1346 and #8438).
This bus was so unique and different and if you didn't live in Southern California, you would never see one.