SF Muni bus 042, a 1938 White Motor Co. Model 784, Muni's oldest surviving bus

A look at, and ride in, San Francisco Muni Bus 042 during #MuniHeritage Weekend 2016. This is a 1938 White Motor Co. Model 784 that served the #SFMuni 39 line to Coit Tower from 1938 to 1975. This is SF Muni's oldest surviving bus (there are trolleys and streetcars that are much older, this is the oldest bus).
Special thanks to Tony for allowing us to see the engine in operation, and for telling us a little about it.

[@skyrocketcoast219]

Epic Video!!
Thanks!
On the #52 Excelsior , Muni would put these shorter 30' white buses on the route. after 2pm on that route. 1955-1973.
Every once in awhile, as the bus struggled with a full load of passengers, it would have to stop on the last steep ,2 blocks of Avalon Ave.
The Passengers would get off bus..
The Bus would climb slowly up Avalon & turn onto Moscow Ave & park.
It was flat there.
Then all the Passengers would pile back on board! And finish the route.

[@PartyOfTheThirdPart]

Excellent story!

[@randolfo1265]

What a nice little bus! Ah the old days . . .

[@larryboysen5911]

As a native San Franciscan, I fondly remember riding the full sized Whites, until the "Big Macks" took over the streets in 1959, after that, the GM era, 1969. Ahh...those nice leather upholstered seats...I see the original cream and muni green interior. Like that large diameter steering wheel, for leverage, no power steering! Miss the old farebox...and the click-click as it counted the coins dropped through the trap doors hand activated by the operator!

[@antovador]

Great old bus its "face" remind me something like Mandalorian or clon trooper helmet.

[@310McQueen]

80 years old, holy crap.

[@tonylong525]

I think I remember seeing a longer version of the White coach when I was a little kid, although the Mack coaches that replaced them were the workhorses of my generation.

[@randolfo1265]

The streets were full of GM "old look" TDH-5105 when I was a kid, replaced in the early sixties by GM New Look bus with the "Fishbowl" six-piece rounded windshield

[@georgegong6813]

@@randolfo1265 Don't you mean the Mack C49DT? I don't believe SF MUNI ever operated the GM Old Look buses you're referring to. Unless you're speaking of the ones acquired during MUNI Meltdown from Southern California Rapid Transit District obtained by MUNI.

[@randolfo1265]

@@georgegong6813 - I'm sure you are correct but my memory of the old buses is from Toronto and nearby cities transit. Some of the old GM buses were built here in Ontario when GM still operated bus manufacturing at London Ontario.

[@jamesfrench7299]

White was a significant player in Australia's bus industry early on until the 1960s.
That horizontally opposed twelve with a very early auto was very interesting indeed. Sounded great.
Can't believe it was in use until the 70s! Excellent restoration.

[@basictransportenthusiast4386]

It’s so cute omg

[@ekkie50]

Thanks for this very nice video. Instructive as well.

[@PartyOfTheThirdPart]

You're quite welcome!

[@kpadmirer]

Had these out in Honolulu back in the 50s. Didn't know that the engine was in the middle.

[@allyn788]

Dang! Missed that weekend....gotta mark it on my calendar next year....good video, I've been curious about this bus...thanks for posting!

[@PartyOfTheThirdPart]

You're welcome, thanks for the comment!

[@chrisstanley2422]

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I was dumb forgot my password. I would love any tips you can give me.

[@ryanwinston5066]

@Chris Stanley instablaster =)

[@chrisstanley2422]

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Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@chrisstanley2422]

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[@blacknationalfreedomfighte6682]

Wow 1938 I wasn't even thought about then but that's amazing I wonder though where they use to hang the sign that said colors only

[@rayfridley6649]

I remember those White busses having stick shift. The driver needed to double-clutch to change gears.

[@danconlan64]

I do to 2 speed auto not original

[@danielvergara2901]

Great, amazing , true compliments .

[@PartyOfTheThirdPart]

Thank you very much!

[@ventusky308]

Boarding this 'growler' to visit Coit Tower so many years ago....I wonder what now travels those few miles yet....perhaps ANOTHER short bus ?

[@kyotokid4]

...when buses still had back windows. So did tehy also save a Pullman and/or Marmon-Herrington trackless trolley?

[@DNRY122]

Muni has Marmon-Herrington trackless trolley (they call them "trolley buses") 776 preserved in running condition--I rode it a few years ago during Heritage Weekend, and it was in service on the 7th and 8th of Sept. for this year's Heritage event. Muni had trolley buses built by Brill, St. Louis, Marmon-Herrington and Twin Coach, but no Pullmans. One of Muni's first trolley buses, built by St. Louis Car, is preserved in non-running condition, and can be towed to special events.

[@shawnaburns5158]

That's one cool kick a-- bus,,I love it wanna ride on it please??

[@tk9839]

It had the Giants' color already.

[@akulenok_tururu]

3:55 - liaz 677.

[@Konduktor5-8]

No speedometer?

[@Rubycon99]

Don't think you could speed in this if you wanted to ;)

[@stift18]

Flat-12 engine!!! Just like a Fezza Testarossa.... Unbelievable. Great piece of history

[@Gryphonisle]

If you ever ride this bus do NOT sit at the back!!! The gas fumes are strong inside, in the back!