Old Bus Photos > 1975 GMC T8H-5307A-2821 Bus #804 - San Diego Transit
1975 GMC T8H-5307A-2821 Bus #804 - San Diego Transit
February 8, 1998
The following photo(s) are © copyrighted by Mike Jones (Alpine, California)
WELCOME ABOARD THE 804 !! Commonly referred to as a "fishbowl" due to the design of the front windshield, this 1975 GMC T8H-5307A-2821 #804 was retired from daily service by San Diego Transit in 1989. After occasional supplemental service and storage from 1990 to 1993, she was bought for scrap by a private party in 1994. 804 then sat for over a year in a dirt field, being used as a storage shed. The 804 was purchased by Mike Jones on April 8, 1995. She underwent an extensive restoration by her new owner, his family and several dedicated friends to bring her to where she is today. 804 was the 2,821 T8H5307A built between 1972 and 1977, and one of 24 purchased by San Diego Transit in 1975. General Motors Truck and Coach Division manufactured 22,034 "fishbowls" in over 30 different models between 1959 and 1977. While a very small number may still be found in service, and fewer being preserved, their numbers are dwindling rapidly with each passing year. 804 is one of two restored coaches which are part of Mike's extensive collection of streetcar and motorcoach memorabilia. The second coach being former Greyhound #7725. A 1960 GMC PD4104-4503. The entire memorabilia collection and both coaches reside at the Jones home in Alpine, California. 804 and 7725 attend various historic motorcoach meets and transit related special events. Mike Jones began his bus driving career for San Diego Transit in 1969. He was also one of the original crew of Train Operators to open the San Diego Trolley in 1980. Mike drove for North County Transit District from 1989 to 1996.
YOUR COMMENTS
I drive for the TTC here in Toronto and am somewhat ambivalant to the impending demise of hundred odd old "fishbowls" still in service.
They are cranky old cusses that are reluctant to wake up when it's clod and wet. We keep ours indoors, otherwise they just refuse to go anywhere without a swift kick in the reserve air tank!
Our buses are on the average 26 years old and are being replaced by Orion 7's.
Not a bad bus in itself, but nothing handles like a GM when the snow flies.
On the worst hills in Toronto, I'll ask passengers to move to the back of the bus to gain traction and she'll motor up the slope like nobody's business.
Kinda, sorta, I'm going to miss the old stinkers will probably end up on the streets of Cairo like the last batch of PCC streetcars we sold off in 2000.
An ignominious end to a venerable workhorse hauling a bunch of camel jockeys to work, but at least they'll stop rusting in Egypt!
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