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Brill Buses? Old busses

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by jalopyshots, Jan 15, 2007.

  1. jalopyshots
    Joined: Nov 20, 2005
    Posts: 440

    jalopyshots
    Member

    I have a new friend who has an old Brill Bus, it's a 1947 with a 779 cubic inch 6 cylinder engine. He got it and took it home after it had been sitting for just shy of forever, put new spark plugs and new wires on it and it fired right up. Information on old Brill Busses is hard to find. Just thought I'd pick everyones brain. I couldn't get a pic of the engine, it's in the middle of the bus under the floor.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Looks like a Brill IC-41 coach. Iconografix publishes an excellent photo archive on the history of ACF-Brill.
     
  3. Frank
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 2,325

    Frank
    Member

    I have never seen one before. How the heck do you enter it? I don't see a door.
     
  4. jalopyshots
    Joined: Nov 20, 2005
    Posts: 440

    jalopyshots
    Member

    i guess the door is kind of hidden. the door is just behind the front pass. wheel. this is a long hauler so it only had one door. City buses had a rear door as well.
     

  5. hoof
    Joined: Jul 14, 2006
    Posts: 620

    hoof
    Member

    That thing just screams redneck motor home! Looks like maybe it could use "seafoamed," appears to be smoking just a little.
    CHAZ
     
  6. I thought it was doing a burnout.
     
  7. Mad-Lad
    Joined: Jul 2, 2005
    Posts: 734

    Mad-Lad
    Member
    from California

    SWEET!!!.....kind of looks like a Crown. Dig the wrap around windshields
     
  8. 6volt jolt
    Joined: Nov 29, 2006
    Posts: 45

    6volt jolt
    Member

    Larry at National Bus Trader magazine can probably point him in the right direction of other people who may have that brand of bus.
     
  9. Frank
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 2,325

    Frank
    Member

    I had a weird experience at the Roundup last year on Saturday night. I say weird because no one else seems to remember. I wasn't even drinking.

    I saw this guy a couple of times walking around looking at the bikes and cars. What made him look out of place was the old suit and hat though he was probably in his 20's. Looked straight out of the 1950's. Later, in traffic on Congress was this old yellow rounded 50's bus, I think it might have been a Fixable. It was that guy driving it. He was happily cruising by himself in this whale with the door open and beeping the horn. Looked like some kind of time traveler.
     
  10. Wow - 779 ci!! Is that a diesel or gas? Would be a great transplant for the 6 in my wagon!! LOL

    Steve
     
  11. Gigantor
    Joined: Jul 12, 2006
    Posts: 3,823

    Gigantor
    Member

    Lower that bitch! Man, what potential!
     
  12. I'm thinkin, cut it away and make a dual car flatbed hauler!
     
  13. Phil1934
    Joined: Jun 24, 2001
    Posts: 2,716

    Phil1934
    Member

    No, I'm thinking take about 4 windows out of the length and then slant chop it from full height in the front to no side window at rear. You could add a large sheet metal Buck Rogers fin to the roof to level it back out if you wanted.
     
  14. I have a 1941 (471) and 1957 (671) GMC conversions both supposed to run. out in my Orchard anyone looking for a cheap starter project? the 57 is fairly complete conversion and about ready to travel in
     
  15. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    I know where there is a junkyard in Wi. that has a 40's ACF Brill bus in it. It's super quasi-futuristic, someone made it into a camper at one time and now it just sits in the yard. Could probably get parts off of it if need be.

    If I had one that ran, I'd make a Futurliner clone and tell everyone I paid 4 million dollars for it.
     
  16. jalopyshots
    Joined: Nov 20, 2005
    Posts: 440

    jalopyshots
    Member

    It's Gas. And it doesn't smoke at all. the smoke in the picture is from leaves that some animal packed in around the engine.
     
  17. wc chopper
    Joined: Nov 12, 2006
    Posts: 139

    wc chopper
    Member

    Maybe its the New Dr Who? and instead of a police box the tardis is a bus!!
     
  18. That thing gets around. The last time I saw it was in CA....Charlie Manson and his girls were cruising around in it.
     
  19. toolow4i75
    Joined: Sep 16, 2005
    Posts: 44

    toolow4i75
    Member

    That is one sweet bus, any interior shots? What are your friends plans for it?
    It looks like there is another bus behind it in the first photo.
    I have always wanted a bus, although I don't know what I would do with it.
    Dave
     
  20. Elrod
    Joined: Aug 7, 2002
    Posts: 3,566

    Elrod
    Member

    You're not crazy. I saw that guy. heh.

    That bus looks like it was definately doin' some road time in the 60's by the paint scheme!
     
  21. davidfe
    Joined: Jan 1, 2006
    Posts: 135

    davidfe
    Member
    from Illinois

    How about a rear clam shell? Something like the giant airplanes.

    Just pop it open, extend the high tech looking ramps and drive the car or what ever out.

    Also make it multi functional and design it to be able to carry a hot tub, bar etc.

    Just thinking.

    DFE
     
  22. ACF and Brill primarily built railroad equipment, ACF frieght and passenger cars, Brill, trolleys. Good to see someone saving one of these things, most folks just don't have the room. There is a GM bus of this vintage that looks like it would run and go, and it's just sitting in a junkyard, I'd try and get it but I wouldn't be able to do anything with it.
     
  23. Flatman
    Joined: Dec 20, 2005
    Posts: 1,975

    Flatman
    Member

    I'll ask around work and see if there's any old manuals still kicking around. We used to run them up until the '70s. Apparently, that mid engine setup was common in them. I think the city versions had a pancake four in the middle:confused:

    Flatman
     
  24. jalopyshots
    Joined: Nov 20, 2005
    Posts: 440

    jalopyshots
    Member

    A manual would be great! thanks
     
  25. jalopyshots
    Joined: Nov 20, 2005
    Posts: 440

    jalopyshots
    Member

    he is refurbishing the bus. the bus behind the Brill is a newer BlueBird bus he got at an auction for $50, then drove it home!

    check out his photobucket site for lots more pictures
    http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l127/Brill-o/
     
  26. here is a pic of before and after on a bus my dad just did last year. He loves the thing, and put very little money in it....just for fun. Another way you could go with yours.
     

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  27. Birds, bats, mice and nuts. No possums?
     
  28. Little Wing
    Joined: Nov 25, 2005
    Posts: 7,505

    Little Wing
    Member
    from Northeast

    Brill made streetcars too
     
  29. Tuff Tin
    Joined: May 23, 2004
    Posts: 921

    Tuff Tin
    Member

    Greyhound ran these busses in the day and I think it may be powered by a Hall Scott gas motor
     

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