Ford built about a thousand of these forward control transit buses from 1936 until 1939. In 1939 the engine was moved to the rear for better weight distribution. Ford built about 12,000 of these, also know as cracker boxes until 1947. They were used in the transit systems of many cities from Seattle to New York. This front engine bus is listed on eBay for $6,500. It’s very original and complete and located in Saugerties, New York.

There’s no luxury here. It does appear original and complete though. Imagine all the animals that have called this bus home.

The back door was probably replaced by the wood panel when the bus was converted into a school bus.

There was no rear emergency exit, or any emergency exit at all.

That’s an 85hp, 221-cubic-inch Ford flathead V-8 engine. It turns but no attempt has been made to start it.

People have come up with lots of interesting uses for old buses. These cracker boxes do have a unique look and there are few remaining. It would be interesting to see what uses could be found for it. I don’t think this could be made very comfortable for long trips but it could be a nice driver. There are lots of places where this would make a very unique shuttle bus.