IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE

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IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE

Home > Discussion Forum > Bus Conversions - Intercity

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All Messages in Thread	Author	Date
IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE	LTG	8-15-99
(1)DID FLEXIBLE MAKE OVER THE ROAD COACHES? (2)WHAT TYPE OF BODY FRAME WORK DID THE FLEXIBLES HAVE IN THE 1960S? (3)I'VE SEEN LOTS OF OLD FLEXIBLE CITY BUSSES IN JUNK YARDS IS THERE A REASON NO-ONE CONVERTS THEM? (4)IS THE OUTER BODY ON THE OLDER FLEXES STAINLESS ?
Re: IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE	Doug	12-27-99
(1)DID FLEXIBLE MAKE OVER THE ROAD COACHES? (2)WHAT TYPE OF BODY FRAME WORK DID THE FLEXIBLES HAVE IN THE 1960S? (3)I'VE SEEN LOTS OF OLD FLEXIBLE CITY BUSSES IN JUNK YARDS IS THERE A REASON NO-ONE CONVERTS THEM? (4)IS THE OUTER BODY ON THE OLDER FLEXES STAINLESS ? Contact my dad he has two mid 60's flexliners for sale...one restored one not. 717 691-1147
Re: IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE	Modre	8-15-99
(1)DID FLEXIBLE MAKE OVER THE ROAD COACHES? Flxible first made sidecars for motorcycles (1903-ish). Early sidecars can be seen in Harley Davidson history books. They had a "flexible link" that would allow the MC to lean in the corners. They tried to patent the name "Flexible" but were turned down because it was too generic. They dropped the "e" and were granted a patent for the name "Flxible". In the 20's and 30's they make ambulances, hearses, and some early "bus/car" looking things. In 1938 they started making the "Clippers". First 6 cyl. Chevy engines were used then for years they used a straight 8 Buick specifically made for Flx called a FB320 (Flxible Buick 320 cu. in.). Around 1950 they used whatever engines they could get. The Clippers had different axle ratios available. Some had 7.5/1 thru 6.1/1 ratios and a top speed of 40-55 MPH and were for use around town. 5.2/1 gears had a top speed of 72 MPH (at 2800 RPM) and was meant for intercity use. If it was originally meant for highway use, it will be so designated in the VIN. Mine is 218-F1-56-29-IC. Translated means 218" wheelbase/Fageol Twin Coach engine/1956/29 passenger/intercity. Leaf springs were used until 1956. '57 and later used torsion bars. After '54 they made VL-100's Hi-levels and Flxliners. All these models are for highway use and will FLY. 8V-71 with 10 speed trans. (or auto)and such. 2)WHAT TYPE OF BODY FRAME WORK DID THE FLEXIBLES HAVE IN THE 1960S? Clippers were made here until mid-60's with full length channel frames like most trucks of the era. Mid-60's the tooling was sent over to Australia and called Ansair-Flxible. White in Canada also inherited the Clipper format but it went under the White name. The other models are "modular" things with basements like the "over the road coaches" you are familiar with. Suspension is 4-wheel independant torsion bars. It's entirely possible that most modern busses are copied from the Flx designs. Flx was always way ahead in their designs. At the last Flx rally in Loudenville, I saw some design drawings dated 1956 that looked like something out of the Jetsons cartoon. Driver sat in a low slung bullet shaped clear nosecone with double decker outward facing seats for the passengers and four wheels in front for steering (like a front tag axle). Unbelieveable for 1956...still way ahead in 1999. (3)I'VE SEEN LOTS OF OLD FLEXIBLE CITY BUSSES IN JUNK YARDS IS THERE A REASON NO-ONE CONVERTS THEM? The modern "City Busses" are a bastardization of the history-makers and the bus mechanics tell me they are crap. (4)IS THE OUTER BODY ON THE OLDER FLEXES STAINLESS ? They came in aluminum or stainless. The Flx club has some absolutely amazing coaches represented. Anyone who bad mouths the older Flxibles is not fully informed. Newer ones...I dunno.
Re: IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE	Modre	8-15-99
(1)DID FLEXIBLE MAKE OVER THE ROAD COACHES? Flxible first made sidecars for motorcycles (1903-ish). Early sidecars can be seen in Harley Davidson history books. They had a "flexible link" that would allow the MC to lean in the corners. They tried to patent the name "Flexible" but were turned down because it was too generic. They dropped the "e" and were granted a patent for the name "Flxible". In the 20's and 30's they make ambulances, hearses, and some early "bus/car" looking things. In 1938 they started making the "Clippers". First 6 cyl. Chevy engines were used then for years they used a straight 8 Buick specifically made for Flx called a FB320 (Flxible Buick 320 cu. in.). Around 1950 they used whatever engines they could get. The Clippers had different axle ratios available. Some had 7.5/1 thru 6.1/1 ratios and a top speed of 40-55 MPH and were for use around town. 5.2/1 gears had a top speed of 72 MPH (at 2800 RPM) and was meant for intercity use. If it was originally meant for highway use, it will be so designated in the VIN. Mine is 218-F1-56-29-IC. Translated means 218" wheelbase/Fageol Twin Coach engine/1956/29 passenger/intercity. Leaf springs were used until 1956. '57 and later used torsion bars. After '54 they made VL-100's Hi-levels and Flxliners. All these models are for highway use and will FLY. 8V-71 with 10 speed trans. (or auto)and such. 2)WHAT TYPE OF BODY FRAME WORK DID THE FLEXIBLES HAVE IN THE 1960S? Clippers were made here until mid-60's with full length channel frames like most trucks of the era. Mid-60's the tooling was sent over to Australia and called Ansair-Flxible. White in Canada also inherited the Clipper format but it went under the White name. The other models are "modular" things with basements like the "over the road coaches" you are familiar with. Suspension is 4-wheel independant torsion bars. It's entirely possible that most modern busses are copied from the Flx designs. Flx was always way ahead in their designs. At the last Flx rally in Loudenville, I saw some design drawings dated 1956 that looked like something out of the Jetsons cartoon. Driver sat in a low slung bullet shaped clear nosecone with double decker outward facing seats for the passengers and four wheels in front for steering (like a front tag axle). Unbelieveable for 1956...still way ahead in 1999. (3)I'VE SEEN LOTS OF OLD FLEXIBLE CITY BUSSES IN JUNK YARDS IS THERE A REASON NO-ONE CONVERTS THEM? The modern "City Busses" are a bastardization of the history-makers and the bus mechanics tell me they are crap. (4)IS THE OUTER BODY ON THE OLDER FLEXES STAINLESS ? They came in aluminum or stainless. The Flx club has some absolutely amazing coaches represented. Anyone who bad mouths the older Flxibles is not fully informed. Newer ones...I dunno.
Re: IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE	Doug	12-27-99
(1)DID FLEXIBLE MAKE OVER THE ROAD COACHES? (2)WHAT TYPE OF BODY FRAME WORK DID THE FLEXIBLES HAVE IN THE 1960S? (3)I'VE SEEN LOTS OF OLD FLEXIBLE CITY BUSSES IN JUNK YARDS IS THERE A REASON NO-ONE CONVERTS THEM? (4)IS THE OUTER BODY ON THE OLDER FLEXES STAINLESS ? Contact my dad he has two mid 60's flexliners for sale...one restored one not. 717 691-1147
Re: IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE	Gary Ford	12-15-00
(1)DID FLEXIBLE MAKE OVER THE ROAD COACHES? Flxible first made sidecars for motorcycles (1903-ish). Early sidecars can be seen in Harley Davidson history books. They had a "flexible link" that would allow the MC to lean in the corners. They tried to patent the name "Flexible" but were turned down because it was too generic. They dropped the "e" and were granted a patent for the name "Flxible". In the 20's and 30's they make ambulances, hearses, and some early "bus/car" looking things. In 1938 they started making the "Clippers". First 6 cyl. Chevy engines were used then for years they used a straight 8 Buick specifically made for Flx called a FB320 (Flxible Buick 320 cu. in.). Around 1950 they used whatever engines they could get. The Clippers had different axle ratios available. Some had 7.5/1 thru 6.1/1 ratios and a top speed of 40-55 MPH and were for use around town. 5.2/1 gears had a top speed of 72 MPH (at 2800 RPM) and was meant for intercity use. If it was originally meant for highway use, it will be so designated in the VIN. Mine is 218-F1-56-29-IC. Translated means 218" wheelbase/Fageol Twin Coach engine/1956/29 passenger/intercity. Leaf springs were used until 1956. '57 and later used torsion bars. After '54 they made VL-100's Hi-levels and Flxliners. All these models are for highway use and will FLY. 8V-71 with 10 speed trans. (or auto)and such. 2)WHAT TYPE OF BODY FRAME WORK DID THE FLEXIBLES HAVE IN THE 1960S? Clippers were made here until mid-60's with full length channel frames like most trucks of the era. Mid-60's the tooling was sent over to Australia and called Ansair-Flxible. White in Canada also inherited the Clipper format but it went under the White name. The other models are "modular" things with basements like the "over the road coaches" you are familiar with. Suspension is 4-wheel independant torsion bars. It's entirely possible that most modern busses are copied from the Flx designs. Flx was always way ahead in their designs. At the last Flx rally in Loudenville, I saw some design drawings dated 1956 that looked like something out of the Jetsons cartoon. Driver sat in a low slung bullet shaped clear nosecone with double decker outward facing seats for the passengers and four wheels in front for steering (like a front tag axle). Unbelieveable for 1956...still way ahead in 1999. (3)I'VE SEEN LOTS OF OLD FLEXIBLE CITY BUSSES IN JUNK YARDS IS THERE A REASON NO-ONE CONVERTS THEM? The modern "City Busses" are a bastardization of the history-makers and the bus mechanics tell me they are crap. (4)IS THE OUTER BODY ON THE OLDER FLEXES STAINLESS ? They came in aluminum or stainless. The Flx club has some absolutely amazing coaches represented. Anyone who bad mouths the older Flxibles is not fully informed. Newer ones...I dunno. My Dad drove Flexible coachs around 1947 to 1951. He said that they were bus's to drive and the Buick 8 was a good engine.
Re: IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE	Tom	12-14-03
The modern "City Busses" are a bastardization of the history-makers That is bullshit.
Re: IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE	Gary Ford	12-15-00
(1)DID FLEXIBLE MAKE OVER THE ROAD COACHES? Flxible first made sidecars for motorcycles (1903-ish). Early sidecars can be seen in Harley Davidson history books. They had a "flexible link" that would allow the MC to lean in the corners. They tried to patent the name "Flexible" but were turned down because it was too generic. They dropped the "e" and were granted a patent for the name "Flxible". In the 20's and 30's they make ambulances, hearses, and some early "bus/car" looking things. In 1938 they started making the "Clippers". First 6 cyl. Chevy engines were used then for years they used a straight 8 Buick specifically made for Flx called a FB320 (Flxible Buick 320 cu. in.). Around 1950 they used whatever engines they could get. The Clippers had different axle ratios available. Some had 7.5/1 thru 6.1/1 ratios and a top speed of 40-55 MPH and were for use around town. 5.2/1 gears had a top speed of 72 MPH (at 2800 RPM) and was meant for intercity use. If it was originally meant for highway use, it will be so designated in the VIN. Mine is 218-F1-56-29-IC. Translated means 218" wheelbase/Fageol Twin Coach engine/1956/29 passenger/intercity. Leaf springs were used until 1956. '57 and later used torsion bars. After '54 they made VL-100's Hi-levels and Flxliners. All these models are for highway use and will FLY. 8V-71 with 10 speed trans. (or auto)and such. 2)WHAT TYPE OF BODY FRAME WORK DID THE FLEXIBLES HAVE IN THE 1960S? Clippers were made here until mid-60's with full length channel frames like most trucks of the era. Mid-60's the tooling was sent over to Australia and called Ansair-Flxible. White in Canada also inherited the Clipper format but it went under the White name. The other models are "modular" things with basements like the "over the road coaches" you are familiar with. Suspension is 4-wheel independant torsion bars. It's entirely possible that most modern busses are copied from the Flx designs. Flx was always way ahead in their designs. At the last Flx rally in Loudenville, I saw some design drawings dated 1956 that looked like something out of the Jetsons cartoon. Driver sat in a low slung bullet shaped clear nosecone with double decker outward facing seats for the passengers and four wheels in front for steering (like a front tag axle). Unbelieveable for 1956...still way ahead in 1999. (3)I'VE SEEN LOTS OF OLD FLEXIBLE CITY BUSSES IN JUNK YARDS IS THERE A REASON NO-ONE CONVERTS THEM? The modern "City Busses" are a bastardization of the history-makers and the bus mechanics tell me they are crap. (4)IS THE OUTER BODY ON THE OLDER FLEXES STAINLESS ? They came in aluminum or stainless. The Flx club has some absolutely amazing coaches represented. Anyone who bad mouths the older Flxibles is not fully informed. Newer ones...I dunno. My Dad drove Flexible coachs around 1947 to 1951. He said that they were bus's to drive and the Buick 8 was a good engine.
Re: IS THERE A FLEXIBLE HISTORIAN OUT THERE	Mike	4-13-06
LTG and Doug have it right. THe 40 - 50 Flx are very good designs.