wiartonwillie
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1953 McGuinness Silver Duke
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Post by wiartonwillie on Apr 23, 2015 15:02:01 GMT -8
While at work today I saw my local tow truck operator go past with a 1950's "Shorty Bus".
I called him 1 hour later to find out the story, to my horror he dropped it off at the scrap yard.
Now I am going to look at it tomorrow. She said she will trade me for some scrap cars for it.
I think it would be a great tow vehicle. I will get some pics and try to post them this weekend.
What do you guys think?
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Apr 23, 2015 15:17:37 GMT -8
But if you take the short bus, we'll still love you.  |
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Post by vintagebruce on Apr 23, 2015 16:21:45 GMT -8
Go for it! As Elmore Leonard wrote GET SHORTY!! It would be a great score if you get in trade, might check how much it would cost for weight...I got a 1952 Silver Streak Clipper (gutted) from a scrap yard for $350 minus $100 discount because my Brother In Law who was with me (age 66) hunted with the scrap yard owner when they were 15.  GOOD LUCK! |
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Post by bigbill on Apr 24, 2015 5:49:38 GMT -8
A 1950s shorty bus could make a very cute tow vehicle, BUT the entire mechanical system is 60 years old. In my opinion everything from the steering box to the brakes would need to be up dated to make this a safe comfortable tow vehicle. You are talking about a vehicle that probably had a top speed of 50 to 55 mph new, so to drive on today's roads it will be running at full throttle. It also most likely has no power anything such as power steering or brakes which most of us are accustom to. If you wish to and have the time, talent and or money you could street rod it with a new drive line.
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wiartonwillie
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Posts: 108
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1953 McGuinness Silver Duke
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Post by wiartonwillie on Apr 24, 2015 19:08:08 GMT -8
Well I went and looked at the Shorty. All I can say is it looked a lot better going past at 30 MPH than it did sitting still in the scrap yard.
A complete rust bucket. Has had the interior ripped out and not a single piece of usable body metal.
bigbill. I was gonna use a 1994 Chevy 1 ton dually chassis and the entire drivetrain. It would have been safe.
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Post by bigbill on Apr 24, 2015 19:38:44 GMT -8
That was what I was going to suggest was putting it on a late model Chevy truck. Didn't know if it would take a one ton or a Kodiak but either would have made it a dependable, safe vehicle. I have a friend restoring a 54 Dodge truck with all stock parts and I question the wisdom involved.
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GOOD LUCK! 
