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The Buffalo Body Corporation was a
little-known production
body builder that constructed various types of motor coach bodies for
the Pierce-Arrow
Model Z bus chassis. Early on the firm produced small numbers of closed
production
bodies for Packard, Fox, and other regional automobile manufacturers
and is known
to have constructed bodies for the Canadian-built Brooks steam-engined
motor bus
(all 2 of them).
The firm was founded by Roy J. MacKenzie,
president, Buffalo
Pressed Steel Co. (b. Nov. 17, 1886 in
Cass City, Michigan) and Kenneth B. MacDonald, treasurer, Buffalo
Pressed Steel
Co. (b. 1879 in Buffalo, N.Y.).
Buffalo Pressed Steel Co. produced a popular
line of mufflers,
silencers and oil filters and were located at 778 Kensington Ave.,
Buffalo, N.
Y. Roy J. MacKenzie was also president of the Arrow Tool Co., which was
located
in a portion of the Pressed Steel Co factory at 768 Kensington.
The two partners met while working at the E.
R. Thomas Motor
Co., and shortly after the Buffalo automaker went into receivership
MacKenzie
and MacDonald went into business with Daniel H. Stoll, a small
manufacturer of metal-working
tools and machinery, the October 29, 1913 issue of Horseless Age
reporting:
“D. H. Stoll Co. Incorporated.
“The D. H. Stoll Co., Inc., has been
incorporated to take
over the press, shear, dies and special metal working machinery
business
formerly conducted by Daniel H. Stoll, at Buffalo. N. Y.,
under the
same name. The officers of the company are Daniel H. Stoll,
president; Roy J. MacKenzie, vice-president; Kenneth B. MacDonald,
secretary and
treasurer.
The company makes a specialty of machinery for the production of sheet
metal
automobile parts. Messrs. MacDonald and MacKenzie were formerly
associated with
the E. R. Thomas Motor Co., as factory manager and purchasing agent,
respectively.”
The March 2, 1916 issue of the Iron Trade
Review announced the
formation of Buffalo Pressed Steel Co. to the trade:
“BUFFALO — The Buffalo Pressed
Steel Co. has
been incorporated; $30,000 capital stock;
by D.H. Stoll, R.J. Mackenzie and K.B. MacDonald, to manufacture
iron, steel, aluminum,
copper and brass products.”
The October, 1916 issue of Electric Vehicles
announced that
Buffalo Pressed Steel Co. had leased the former J.R. Kiem steel mill:
“John R. Kiem's mill property on Kensington
avenue, Buffalo,
N. Y., has been leased to the Buffalo Pressed Steel Company.”
Buffalo Pressed Steel‘s Roy J. MacKenzie
and Lucien L. Haas
held a number of US Patents related to sheet metal products such as
mufflers, silencers
and other exhaust-related products. As the center of automobile
manufacturing
relocated to the Midwest MacKenzie established a satellite plant in
Youngstown,
Ohio at N. Meridian Rd. During the 1930s most of the firm’s operations
were
transferred to Youngstown, its post-WWII officers being: Pres &
Treas
— Kenneth B. MacDonald; Exec V-P & Gen Mgr— John C. Stewart;
Secy —
Myron E. Ullman; Purch Agt— L. Miller; Chief Engr — F. Hyatt; Accts —
Clark &
Collins, Youngstown.
An overabundance of skilled mechanics, raw
materials and
direct access to the Great Lakes made Buffalo an ideal location for
automobile
body building and in 1919 John S. Burdick, Locomobile’s chief body
engineer made
it known that he was looking to get into the business on his own. In
December
of 1915 Kenneth B. McDonald had helped organize the Curtiss
Aeroplane and
Motor Corp. of Buffalo, and by War’s end had become quite wealthy.
MacDonald offered
to set Burdick up in business and in conjunction with MacKenzie formed,
the Buffalo
Body Corp., which was announced to the trade in the September 13, 1919
issue of
Automobile Topics:
“BUFFALO TO HOUSE NEW BODY COMPANY
“MacKenzie and MacDonald
Incorporate Buffalo Body
Corp. — Place Burdick in Charge of Engineering-Locate Plant.
“Buffalo aims to take its place as a
producing center for
automobile bodies along with other cities at present known for that
industry
further west along Lake Erie. Such is indicated this week in the
incorporation
of the Buffalo Body Corp., which in fact represents the
culmination
of plans upon which R. J. MacKenzie and K. B. MacDonald, owners of the
Buffalo
Pressed Steel Co., Inc., have been working for several months. Adequate
plant
space for the new company’s immediate requirements, room to grow, and a
body
engineer of known capabilities are among the assets with which it
starts.
“In active charge of engineering activities,
the company has
placed John S. Burdick, who is made a vice-president. Burdick was body
engineer
for the Locomobile Company of America, prior to assuming his new duties
at
Buffalo. It is revealed that Burdick had planned to establish a body
manufacturing company of his own, a plan which he gave up in joining
his new
connection. He has been with the company some weeks now, supervising
equipment
and in other ways preparing the new venture for its first steps. He
will keep
in close touch with developments in European body building practice, so
that
clients of the Buffalo organization may have all the best thought at
their
disposal.
“The immediate purpose of the company is to
build enclosed
bodies. It has secured the property formerly belonging to the Buffalo
School
Furniture Co., reputed to lie in the heart of the city's best labor
market, and
containing about 150,000 square feet ready for immediate use. In
addition some
five and a half acres have been acquired for future expansion purposes.
With
this news it is made known, too, that the plans of the company are of
decidedly
large proportions. It is expected that several separate manufacturing
units
will be established eventually, each given up to the manufacture of a
separate
class or grade of body construction. In the optimistic views of the
company’s
founders, ‘Buffalo is to be made one of the real centers of the body
building
industry.’”
The September 27, 1919 issue of Automobile
Topics mentioned
that attorney William R. Daniels (b. Oct 9, 1875 in Buffalo), a
partner in
Hughson & Daniels, No. 602 D. S. Morgan Building, Buffalo was also
involved
in the firm as secretary-treasurer:
“Buffalo Body Corp., Buffalo, N.Y. - To
manufacture automobile
bodies. Capital, $1,000,000. Incorporators: K.B. MacDonald, R.J.
MacKenzie,
W.R. Daniels.”
Kenneth B. MacDonald served as president of
Buffalo Body
while MacKenzie remained President of Buffalo Pressed Steel. The Body
company’s
initial office was located at 500 Main St. after which it moved to 824
Seneca
St., the former home of the American Seating Co., whose plant occupied
5 acres
of land bordered by Seneca St. to the
south, Smith St. to the north, Lord St. to the west and Fillmore Ave.
to the east. The October
1919 issue
of the Automotive Manufacturer indicated the firm was planning to
construct its
bodies using steel:
“Buffalo (N.Y.) Body Corp., recently
organized with a
capital of $1,000,000 by K. B. McDonald, formerly of the
Curtiss
Aeroplane Co.; R. J. McKenzie. W. R. Daniels and others, has
completed arrangements for occupying the former plant of the American
Seating
Co., at Seneca and Lord streets and Fillmore avenue, which it will
equip for
the production of steel bodies.”
A number of men formerly associated with
aircraft industry
joined the Buffalo Body works force. The October 1919 issue of
Automobile
Topics announced the appointment of J. E. Nield, a former manager with
Trego
Motors Co. of Conn. a major supplier of Liberty engines to the Allies:
“Nield Joins Buffalo Body
“J.E. Nield, assistant general manager of
the Trego Motors
Co., has resigned to become associated in the manufacturing department
of the
Buffalo Body Corp. In addition to his duty in this department he will
also have
charge of purchases.”
E. T. Musson, another aircraft executive,
joined the firm as
vice-president of production, the December 1919 issue of the The
Automotive
Manufacturer reporting:
“E. T. Musson, formerly general manager
Canadian Aeroplanes
Co., has been made vice-president in charge of production of
the Buffalo
Body Corp. Prior to his association with the Canadian Aeroplanes
Co.,
Musson was superintendent of the Russell Motor Car Co., West Toronto,
Can.”
Buffalo Body’s listing in the 1920 Buffalo
Directory follows:
“Buffalo Body Corp. (K.B. Mac Donald,
pres.; R.J. MacKenzie, vice-pres.; William R. Daniels, secy.
and treas.) manfs automobile bodies, 125 Smith.”
“Burdick, John S. (M) vice-president In
charge of
engineering, Buffalo Body Corporation, 125 Hardwood Place,
Buffalo, N. Y.”
John S. Burdick was well-known amongst auto body
building circle and the fabulous closed bodies he had engineered fro
Locomobile, bright sinmilar comission to Buffalo Body, the June 1920
issue of the Automotive
Manufacturer annoucned that the firm was producing enclosed coachwork
for Packard:
“Buffalo Body Corporation, Buffalo, N.
Y. manufacturers
of fine automobile bodies, has completed installation of additional
equipment
and is actively engaged on a large special order of enclosed bodies for
the
Packard Motor Car Company. They will employ several hundred additional
skilled
enclosed body builders at their plant at Buffalo.”
The 1921 Buffalo Directory reveals the firm was
also leasing space in the Buffalo Leather Co. plant at 125 Hardwood
place:
“Buffalo Body Corp. (Kenneth B. Mac Donald,
pres.; R. J. Mac
Kenzie, vice-pres.; Charles F. Bronson, secy.; William R. Daniels,
treas.)
manfs auto bodies, 125 Hardwood pl.”
John S. Burdick resigned his position as
vice-president in
charge of engineering in the fall of 1922, the October 19, 1922 issue
of Automotive
Industries:
Oct. 16 - Burdick-Atkinson Corp. has been
established at
Hamburg. N. Y., to manufacture steel wire springs for use in automobile
coachwork upholstery. John S. Burdick, formerly the vice-president and
general manager
of the Buffalo Body Corp., is the incorporator of the
company.
Associated with Burdick, who is president and general manager, are
Frederic R. Atkinson
as vice-president and factory manager; Franklin R. Brown, treasurer and
Harry
Burdick, secretary.”
Buffalo Body made small numbers of closed
bodies for the air
cooled Fox car which was built in Philadelphia, PA from 1922 to 1923.
Other
bodies for the Fox came from Bridgeport Body, Derham, Fleetwood,
Jacques Mfg.,
and Springfield Metal Body.
A December 5, 1924 fire destroyed one of the
firm's buildings that fronted on Smith Street, the January 1925 issue
of The Automotive
Manufacturer announcing the
firm was erecting a new building to replace it:
“Buffalo (N. Y.) Body Corp., 824 Seneca
street, is
arranging for the erection of a two story plant, 70x100 ft., to replace
a
portion of its works recently destroyed by fire with loss reported at
$150,000,
including equipment. Kenneth B. MacDonald is president.”
Business picked up considerably for the firm
with the
arrival of the purpose-built Pierce-Arrow Model Z bus chassis. The
Pierce-Arrow
plant was ill-equipped to manufacture bus bodies and the firm
contracted with
Buffalo Body to produce its standard coachwork. An attractive parlor
car was
exhibited at the 1925 AERA (American Electric Railway Association)
show, the Commercial
Car Journal reporting:
“PIERCE-ARROW BUSES
“Two interesting buses will be exhibited by
the Pierce-Arrow
Motor Car Company, consisting of two different types of bodies, one a
De Luxe
Parlor Car body built by the Buffalo Body Corporation of
Buffalo, New
York, and the other a Touring Bus, Pay-Enter type built by the
Farnham-Nelson
Company of Roslindale, Mass. Both are mounted on standard six-cylinder
Pierce-Arrow bus chassis.”
Buffalo Body Corp. was Pierce-Arrow’s
preferred bus body
builder and the firm included 6 Buffalo-built standard bodies in their
Model Z
Bus Chassis Catalog as follows.
Type 1 - Standard Street Car Pay-Enter:
“For city and town work the standard street
car pay-enter
type of body is especially adapted. Service such as this requires a
sturdy body
that is light in weight, with entrance low and wide, a door operated
with
little effort on the driver's part and a seating arrangement that
allows
passengers to easily find a seat and leave quickly when arriving at
their
destination.
“In this body built by the Brown Body
Corporation these
requirements have been met in a most successful way. Brown bodies are
unusually
light in weight and strong. The seating arrangement is well designed,
and the
door control, which is full ball-bearing, operates with ease.
“The window construction is a Brown patent
and is of
aluminum. The roof is so constructed that the windows raise up into the
roof.
They are adjustable to several heights. The three windows in the rear
are
stationary and are protected by guards.
“Details of Construction
“Seating Arrangements - Seats are of the
touring car type,
upholstered in genuine Brown Spanish leather, and arranged to give
ample knee
room. The driver's seat is of the ventilated type. Longitudinal seats
are
optional over wheel housings. Push buttons are convenient to each seat
with a
monitor bell at the left of the driver.
“Construction - Body construction is
especially sturdy, with
framework of second growth ash. Sills, pillars, rails and ribs are
mortised and
put together with screws. Below the belt line the posts are 13 inches
from
center to center, which makes a rigid foundation for the paneling,
which is of
16 gauge aluminum, with each panel separate and easily removed for
repairs.
“Roof - The roof is of 1-inch fir panel,
covered with No. 8
white duck, heavily painted. The interior shows the exposed bows, laid
off in
panels. The curved sides will accommodate standard advertising cards.
“Heating Sysytem - The heating system is of
1" seamless
steel tubing heaters on each side of the body running full length, and
protected by perforated metal housings. A regulator is installed on toe
board,
convenient to the driver.
“Exterior paint is in a twelve coat system,
with optional
colors except white and light red. A lacquer finish is also optional.
The
interior is finished with roof flat white and all mouldings and panels
stained
light and finished with three coats of varnish. This aids in lighting.
Floors
are finished with two coats of shellac.”
Type 2 – De Luxe Sight-Seeing Bus With
Special Roof:
“Designed for sight-seeing work among the
mountains and
canyons that surround Salt Lake City, this Pierce-Arrow de luxe bus
shows the
possibilities of the adaption of Buffalo bodies to special work.
“The large plate glass windows found in the
roof are of
special interest, enabling overhead vision. Another feature of the roof
construction is the pull curtains in the interior which allow the glass
windows
to be covered when not in use.
“A large fleet of these busses is now in use
in Salt Lake
City, being operated by the Pierce-Arrow Sightseeing Company. They are
finished
in shining white enamel and each bus is individualized by a name that
is
typically ‘Utah’ such as: Bee Hive, Sego Lily, Seagull, Silver, Copper,
etc.
“Each bus has a front entrance and a
lengthwise aisle
between two rows of upholstered seats. At the rear is an observation
platform
similar to those found on Pullman observation cars. It is shaded with
an awning
and provided with revolving chairs.
“Details of Construction
“Lighting - Six dome lights are provided,
one tell-tale stop
light and four riding lights, with purple lens. Automatic step light is
found
at the service door. All lights are controlled by switches convenient
to the
driver. Passengers may signal to driver by means of parallel cords at
the roof
which operate a buzzer. A cigar lighter is found in the rear.
“Roof - Constructed of cross bows, suitably
reinforced with
iron braces, with three ply veneer on top, insuring great strength and
rigidity.
The roof is then covered with heavy oil duck and painted.
“Eighteen plate glass windows, each 18"
square are
provided, each extending as close to the outside of the roof as
possible.
“Seats - Seven seats, each seating two
passengers, are
provided in the main section of the bus. One large single chair is
located next
to driver. Two longitudinal seats, each seating three people, are
placed over
wheelhousing. The single chair next to the driver and three rear chairs
have
revolving pedestals. This plan provides seats for 24 passengers and the
driver.”
Type 3 – De Luxe Pay-Enter Motor Bus:
“Comfort of the most luxurious sort combined
with the
practical advantages of the pay-enter body have made this de luxe
pay-enter bus
one of the most popular types on the market today.
“This vehicle offers the utmost in riding
qualities and
facilitates fare collections, for all passengers when entering pass
through the
front service door and by the driver's seat. The center aisle speeds up
loading
and unloading, while the additional service doors and driver's door
assist in
handling passengers with the utmost efficiency.
“The Buffalo Body Corporation, builder of
fine bus bodies,
has, in the de luxe vehicle pictured on the obverse page, combined
beauty of
exterior with strength and lightness of construction that sets a new
standard
in coach craft.
“The purchaser has the option of a number of
seating plans
which cover practically every type of installation where a pay-enter
type of
motor bus is desired. Baggage space is provided either at the right of
the
driver, in the rear, or on the roof. Folding taxi seats are provided
where
baggage space is located inside, which allows this space to be used for
passengers when not required for baggage.
“Details of Construction
“Frames - Body frames are rigidly built of
tough white ash,
substantially reinforced with forgings. All joints are glued, screwed
or bolted
together. When two pieces of wood which are not glued or wood and metal
is
joined together, a heavy coating of lead and oil is first applied.
Before
applying panels, the frame is covered with wadding to prevent the
possibility
of rubbing or rumbling.
“Seats - Several types of seats are offered,
all
exceptionally roomy and comfortable with special springs and genuine
hand
buffed leather used for cushions and seat backs.
“Heating - Heater pipes are drawn tubing
instead of the
usual iron pipe. More effective radiation is provided by this method.
Heater
exhaust is equipped with mufflers, insuring quietness in operation.
“Ventilation - Particular attention has been
paid to
ventilation, standard equipment consisting of four automatic roof
ventilators
with two cowl vents, one on each side. All side windows drop into
wells,
including front quarter windows beside the driver. The one-piece
windshield also
aids in maintaining effective ventilation.
“The service door control is located on the
left side and
convenient to the driver. An illuminated sign is installed over the
windshield.
Lovejoy shock absorbers are installed in the rear. Five color
combinations are
optional.”
Type 4 – De Luxe Pay-Enter Bus for
Inter-City Work:
“Built to the specifications of a railroad
company's
executives, this type of de luxe pay-enter bus is of interest to bus
operators
everywhere. A number of these busses were recently delivered to the New
England
Transportation Company, and were made in accordance with the plans of
the
company's transportation officials. They are especially designed for
inter-city
work.
“The bodies, built by the Buffalo Body
Corporation, are of
27 passenger capacity.
“They are equipped with four doors, a right
hand service
door, a front emergency door at the left of the driver, a baggage door
at the
right rear and a left rear emergency door.
“The baggage space in the rear measures 40
3/8 inches long
and is 86 inches wide. This compartment is equipped with five folding
seats.
“Details of Construction
“Clear Vision - Clearness of vision is an
important factor
in the design of this body, as it is in all Buffalo bodies. Front doors
have
been set back farther than is customary in ordinary practice,
eliminating the
bulky wood pillar from obstructing the driver's vision and leaving only
a
slender stanchion supporting the windshield. This design also
accomplishes
another purpose, giving a wide unobstructed passageway for the entrance
and
exit of passengers.
“Seating - All seats are finished in dark
brown Spanish
leather with the balance of the trim in artificial leather to match.
Seats are
of special design, equipped with comfortable cushions and roomy enough
to
accommodate persons of any size. Structurally, they are made in the
same way as
the chairs in your living room.
“Channels - An unusual feature in the
construction of
Buffalo bodies is the use of light weight steel channels for the
support of
body panels. These absolutely prevent drumming. As an additional
precaution
against noise, wadding is placed over the frame to prevent the
possibility of
chafing or rumbling.
“Windows - Clear vision is provided for
passengers by
setting the window pillars almost opposite the backs of seats, giving
each seat
an individual window. Windows are all in rust proof steel channels with
heavy
felt lining, insuring quietness.”
Type 5 - De Luxe Observation Coach:
“The Pierce-Arrow Observation Coach is an
example of
striking beauty in coach-craft, with appointments raised to such a
degree of
luxury that it more closely resembles a private owned equipage than a
public
service vehicle. Although this particular coach is used by the United
States
Rubber Company for tire testing and special demonstration work, busses
of this
type are meeting with particular favor, especially in California where
they are
used for long distance sight-seeing trips.
“This de luxe type of bus contains
everything that adds to
enjoyment of the ride.
“Easy chairs, wide spacious windows that
allow an
uninterrupted view of the scenery, unequalled riding qualities and the
luxurious interior combine to give passengers a degree of comfort that
is equal
to the appointments of a Pullman Car.
“In this particular car a plate glass
observation
"platform" with grilled railing gives passengers in the rear a full
view of the broad highway as it unrolls behind them. Chairs in the
front are of
the swivel type so that the passengers can sit in any position they may
desire.
An awning protects the rear seat passengers from the glare of the sun
and gives
a touch of distinction to the stern of this proud vehicle.
“A water cooler, fans, railing over the rear
wheel housings
for storing away luggage and other refinements are provided. The dash
and color
of the exterior make it especially attractive.
“Details of Construction
“Frame - Constructed of tough white ash,
seasoned by
scientific methods, reinforced with forgings. Joints are glued or
screwed
together. After assembly, raw linseed oil is hand rubbed into frame to
preserve
it.
“Panesl - Below belt 14 gauge aluminum,
above belt 16 gauge
aluminum.
“Lighting - Six dome lights are located
above seats, each
having a 20 candle power bulb. Two flush dome lights are located over
aisle,
step lights at the service door, two rear marker lights, two tell stop
lights,
one emergency door tell light and one stop light are furnished. Dome
lights
over the aisle are controlled by separate switches.
“Seating - Seating arrangements are for 11
passengers and
driver. However, most any seating arrangement can be provided. Seats
have
individual cushions and individual seats.
“Doors - Two doors are provided, service
door at the front
and left hand emergency door.
“Curtains - Drape curtains of Sun fast
mohair, with color in
harmony with trim.
“Mouldings - Finish mouldings are of solid
American Black
walnut, Valspar finished and polished.”
Type 6 - The Caravan - A De Luxe Traveling
Home:
“The Caravan - a de luxe traveling home,
shows an
interesting adaption of the Pierce-Arrow bus chassis for use of the
individual
owner. This special body, mounted on a Model Z 220 inch wheelbase
chassis,
contains every convenience found in a modern home. The most ingenious
of
devices have been utilized to use every inch of space without cramping
the
occupants.
“The main compartment has the luxury of a
modern drawing
room. Four comfortable arm chairs are provided for the owner and his
family. A Pullman
rug covers the floor. Book cases, reading lights, Pullman tables, even
a radio,
are provided. All windows that drop are provided with adjustable copper
screens. The arm chairs become comfortable berths at night with Pullman
curtains shielding the occupants.
“In the back of the traveling home are found
the kitchen and
bath room. The kitchen is equipped for all kinds of cooking and
contains a
refrigerator. The bath room is complete with folding wash basin, shower
bath
and toilet. A 30 gallon tank located beneath the floor furnishes the
water
supply. The pressure is supplied by the engine.
“Details of Construction
“Cabinets - Two large cabinets are found in
this traveling
home. One, on the right hand side, is a clothes closet and is equipped
with
hinged doors with full length mirrors in each door. The one on the left
side
contains a chest of drawers. The cabinets are made of American black
walnut.
“Floors - Floors are covered with linoleum
with a rug in the
main compartment. Drape curtains of Sunfast rep are used in the main
compartment. This car is trimmed with an uncut plush with artificial
leather
above the belt line. Head room from floor to inside of roof is 70
inches.
“Equipment - Equipment includes bumpers,
wheel carriers,
search light, marker lights, windshield cleaner, rear vision mirror.
“Body - Body is constructed of tough white
ash with thick
aluminum panels. Braces are of forged steel or malleable iron. Roof
covering is
of heavy oil duck. Heating is through 2 inch tubing, completely
shielded and
controlled by valve.”
One of Buffalo Body’s Caravan private
coaches was featured
in the July 12, 1925 issue of the Kansas City Star:
“‘The Caravan’ is a Complete Motorized Home
“A traveling home, mounted on a Pierce-Arrow
bus chassis,
complete even with shower bath and radio, has just been finished for
its owner,
R. Connable, formerly managing director of the F. W. Woolworth Company
of
Canada, who, with his family, will take a 3-year tour in this luxurious
vehicle
that will cover Canada, the United States and part of the British Isles.
“‘The Caravan’, the name given by Mr.
Connable to his
traveling home, contains all the conveniences that are found in a modem
house.
Four upholstered chairs, used as seats in the daytime, are made into
comfortable beds at night, with the aid of air mattresses. These chairs
can
also be transformed into lounges, capable of seating sixteen persons.
Two upper
berths in the form of hammocks form part of the equipment. Thus, six
persons
are provided with comfortable sleeping quarters.
“Complete equipment for cooking is found
within the bus,
which carries an electric stove and refrigerator. In one corner of the
bathroom, complete with shower bath, toilet and washstand. A 40-gallon
tank
slung underneath the rear end furnishes the water supply.
“One of the many interesting things in the
car is the
arrangement of the wall panels. These are of walnut and fold flat
against the
side. When desired, the traveling home can be completely separated into
two
dressing rooms, provided with full length mirrors. A radio with
100-foot aerial
concealed in the ceiling of the bus is another feature.
“Bookcases, a compartment fitted with
hangers that will hold
thirty suits or dresses, Pullman tables for dining or playing cards,
screens
that slide into place when the windows are lowered - these are other
interesting fixtures.
“‘The Caravan’ is finished outside with two
tones of blue - with
body beading of silver. Single pneumatic tires in front and dual
pneumatics in
rear provide comfort over the roughest roads.”
The firm displayed a 29-passenger De Luxe
Sight-Seeing Coach
at the 1926 AERA convention, Bus Transportation reporting:
“In the sightseeing class, the Buffalo
Body
Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y., exhibited a 29-passenger job on a
Pierce-Arrow chassis,
marked for Greeley Sightseeing Company, New York.”
A second Buffalo Body private coach,
constructed for Ollie O.
Norwood, a municipal securities broker in Austin, Texas, was described
in the June
1927 issue of the Elm Tribune, the journal of Buffalo’s Elm Vocational
School:
“$30,000 Touring Home is Built for
Texan
“Most Complete Bus of Its Kind Constructed
in Buffalo.
“What is described as the most elaborate and
complete motor
touring home ever built has just been constructed by two Buffalo firms
for O.O.
Norwood of Austin, Texas, a guest at the Hotel Statler. The mansion on
wheels
cost between $25,000 and $30,000, and contains every device possible
for the
comfort of its occupants.
“The body, finished in three shades
of contrasting
blue, is mounted on a Pierce-Arrow bus chassis, with a wheelbase of 220
inches.
The body itself was especially designed and constructed by the officers
and
engineers of the Buffalo Body Corporation and took 10 month to design
and
construct. The equipment includes an altimeter, reading lights, radio
set,
wardrobe with full-length French mirrors, lavatory and shower bath,
electric
stove and refrigerating plant, and a kitchen and bath in white enamel.
The finish
in the living room is of American black walnut, rubbed, to a semi-piano
finish.
“The living quarters are toward the front
end. The driver's
seat can be folded down making a bed for two persons. Seats, for four
persons
in the living room can be converted into two beds at night. Each bed is
equipped with an all mattress and pillows. The latest type vacuum
brakes and
shock absorbers insure the comfort of the owner and his guests when the
rolling
room forsakes the main thoroughfares for the byways.
“Mr. and Mrs. Norwood, accompanied by two
guests, will motor
to New York, Washington, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Yellowstone National
Park,
Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Fresno, Los Angeles, Hot Springs and
home to
Austin. The construction of the vehicle was done under, the supervision
of
Harry A. Shaw, and Ernest S. Cook of the Buffalo Body Corporation.”
In the summer of 1927, a prototype Brooks
Steam Bus was
bodied with a 29-passenger parlour car-style body by Buffalo Body Corp.
The
aluminum-bodied coach was fitted with blue leather seats and was shown
at the October
1927 AERA convention in Cleveland. A second Brooks steam bus was fitted
with
Buffalo Body coachwork in July of 1929, this one was a Meritas-bodied
39-passenger
pay-enter type fashioned after a popular ACF coach called the
Metropolitan.
By that time Pierce-Arrow had halted a truck and
bus chassis production and Buffalo Body turned to the producion of
municipal hearse and ambulance bodies, its
listing in
the 1929 Chilton’s Directory follows:
“Buffalo Body Corp., 600 Smith St., Buffalo,
N. Y. (Hearse
& ambulance).”
Unfortunately it was unable to withstand the
early stages of the Depression and withdrew from business sometime in
1930.
© 2013 Mark Theobald for
Coachbuilt.com
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