Car & Classic Dealer

Hyman Ltd Classic Cars

2310 Chaffee Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63146

63146

1937 FORD MODEL BB TOURING BUS For Sale

1937 Ford Model BB Touring Bus

Since the days of the Model T, Ford Motor Company has recognized the importance of trucks and commercial vehicles to their bottom line. The earliest Model TT truck, introduced in 1917, shared many components with the Model T but featured a heavier 1-ton capacity frame and axles. Next came the Model AA, followed by Ford’s first V8-powered truck, the BB, in 1932. With each iteration, Ford’s medium and heavy trucks became more specialized for commercial duty, with unique styling and technical features to withstand the rigors of commercial duty.

In 1937, the Board of Trustees of Chicago’s beloved Morton Arboretum financed the purchase of a new motorized touring bus, which they envisioned would be used to shuttle visitors around their expansive 1, 700-acre facility in the heart of Chicago’s western suburbs. The arboretum was established in 1922 by Joy Morton, founder of Morton Salt Company, as a public garden, outdoor museum, and research center. The Morton family had a passion for nature which ran in their blood. Joy’s father, Julius Morton, is noted for founding Arbor Day in 1872, and he later served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland. Joy Morton founded the arboretum to celebrate nature and preserve its beauty in the heart of one of America’s largest industrial cities.

With funding in place, the trustees purchased a new 1937 Ford Model BB truck, powered by a flathead V8 engine and riding on a 157-inch wheelbase chassis. Before it could be put to work hauling guests, the Ford chassis took a trip across town to Schukraft & Company, a respected wagon and truck-body builder. In their hands, the wheelbase was stretched to 180 inches, and their craftsmen created this one-off open touring bus body. The unique layout featured wide running boards running the length of the vehicle, which gave easy access to any of the seven rows of extra-wide benches. The driver’s seat is set lower, so guests have a clear view all around. From the cowl-forward, it’s all Ford, with the lovely, flowing fenders and the elegant radiator grille that was the signature of Ford’s notably attractive truck line for 1937.

Upon delivery to the Morton Arboretum in late 1937, the touring bus was put to work, shuttling visitors, special guests, and student groups around their remarkable facility. Incredibly, this wonderful Ford bus remained in regular service for over 50 years! It dutifully served its caretakers nearly every day, only getting the occasional respite in bad weather – with the original 100-horsepower 239 cubic-inch flathead V8 chugging along faithfully for all those years. Archival photos provided by the arboretum showed the bus when it was new, with others depicting it in action, full of students and teachers riding through the grounds.

The Morton ’37 Ford touring bus was officially retired in the late 1980s when a new enclosed bus was purchased. But even in retirement, it made occasional appearances for special events and celebrations. In many ways, the familiar Ford bus was as much a part of the Morton Arboretum as many of the trees themselves.

As offered today, this delightful bus benefits from a comprehensive restoration, and has been refinished in a handsome shade of dark green. It is finished off with Morton Arboretum livery and a period-appropriate canvas canopy. This unique Ford is in excellent condition throughout, with attractive paintwork and period-appropriate detailing. All the bench seats have been re-trimmed in brown upholstery, and the driver’s compartment features the original wheel, correct instrumentation, and the proper rubber floor liners. Similarly, the engine bay is appropriately detailed in the correct shade of Ford green, and the flathead runs well – burbling along ease.

This truly unique and marvelous vehicle has a rich history, and is ideal for use on historic estates, wineries, or in any place where this historically significant and distinctly stylish people-mover will be cherished and appreciated.

Historic photographs courtesy of the Morton Arboretum



Offers welcome and trades considered


$89, 500
Stock number 7011
For immediate assistance please call us at +1-the details below

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
Please see the list below for similar live adverts.

Similar Adverts

The Ford Prefect is a line of British cars produced by Ford UK between 1938 and 1961 as an upmarket alternative to the Ford Popular or Ford Anglia. In 1953 the car progressed from its original perpendicular style to a more modern three-box structure. This 1953 Ford Prefect, in the earlier "sit-up-and-beg" style, is ...

75,000
28 Mar 2024
Surrey

Outstanding and probably one of the best available, low mileage and I’m only the 4th owner, no welding carried out un marked body and interior, power steering, regular car at ford shows<br><br>Lots of receipts<br><br>

61,500
26 Mar 2024
Buckinghamshire
Private

Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000 (Replica) Portuguese documents Ford Escort 1.1 from 1972 (This price is negotiable, I am happy to receive any offer, i am not in rush but would like to sell it for an reasonable price) I'm selling, to my regret, this Ford Escort MK1 Rs200 project, almost finished, due to lack of time. Engine: ...

21 Mar 2024
Portugal
Private

The vehicle has had 2 owners and has been in the same extended family for its entire life. John purchased the much loved Fiesta from new in 1997 from ECP Motors Ltd in Enfield but he was by now very elderly and the vehicle remained mostly in his garage at his home in Enfield. He passed it to Rebecca in 2019, Alex her ...

16,044
18 Feb 2024
Surrey
Private

In the 1930s, the Ford Motor Company was the second largest car manufacturer in the world. From 1925, the famous Ford Estate was also assembled in Berlin. On 2 October 1930, Henry Ford personally laid the foundation stone for the production facilities in Cologne. After the war, the Ford Taunus models rolled off the production ...

28 Mar 2024
Germany

The Mustang is an icon, the most lovable car from Ford since ‘64. From all of the series the original first generation is the most popular, thanks for the astonishing power combined with comfortable leather sofas for four adults. The first gen also has torquey engine paired with easy body not like the following series. ...

15,500
28 Mar 2024
Hungary

1963 Ford Thunderbird - I bought this car in 2017 in Pennsylvania, USA from an older gentleman. I drove it a little bit around USA and than shipped it to Poland. It has very powerful 390ci FE series V8 engine and 3 speed automatic transmission. Power windows, modern RetroSound radio (I also have original AM radio), factory ...

61,990
28 Mar 2024
Poland
Private

Good reliable classic car One year’s MOT Electric windows and mirrors New water pump and timing belt fitted in 2023 New manual roof fitted within last 4 years Original radio cassette Sale includes spare set of wheels and tyres which are the original Extensive paperwork detailing car’s history<br><br>Very nice ...

80,000
22 Mar 2024
Scotland
Private

1999 Ford Mustang anniversary edition 3.8l v6 automatic. 106803 kilometres driven converts to 65307 miles. The car has just gone through MOT and has 12 months. This is a Japanese imported mustang. The car needs a new regulator in the drivers side window. And there is a crack in the drivers side break light. Body work ...

106,808
15 Feb 2024
Northamptonshire
Private

Introducing this recently discovered 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback C-Code that is available in its factory color Dark Moss Green (Y) combined with an Ivy Gold (2G) interior. Equipped with an automatic transmission, V8 engine, 2-barrel carburetor, 3-spoke steering wheel, glove box,14-inch steel wheels, and BFGoodrich Radial ...

27 Mar 2024
United States

Introducing this interwar 1938 Ford Tudor Sedan that is finished in black complemented with a grey interior. This original California car is a true testament to the golden era of American automotive craftsmanship, boasting a timeless design that continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike. Equipped with a 3-speed ...

27 Mar 2024
United States

1947 Ford 2 door Sedan ZZ4 350/355 HP crate engine with aluminum heads, roller cam, motor like new, only 7k miles. Front runner pulley system. 350 automatic trans with shift kit. Brand new Scott's coil over independent front suspension with disc brakes, PS/PB. Rear end from 1968 Camaro. New: leaf springs, battery, ...

119,000
28 Mar 2024
United States
Private

Introducing this first-generation 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe C-Code that is now available for sale at the Beverly Hills Car Club. Originally a West Coast car, this example exudes a sense of timeless elegance and sophistication. Finished in its original factory color scheme, the Antique Bronze (P) exterior of this Mustang ...

27 Mar 2024
United States

1997 SN95 Ford Mustang · Coupe · Driven 105,000 kilometres Ford Mustang 4.6 GT V8 coupe 320bhp. Mileage is kilometers as shown in photo but car used daily so will change slightly. Full engine rebuild 2015 with modifications lots of paperwork and cd of part of the engine build. Japanese import registered in UK in 2

105,000
14 Feb 2024
Hampshire
Private

Just arrived and for sale at our stand during Techno Classica Essen Germany 3-7 April - Very nice Ford Model A Roadster , Body off restored in Denmark around 20 years ago. European car with Kilometer speedo Equiped with many accesoires. More info on request

27 Mar 2024
Netherlands

It is truly magnificent, this 1942 Ford GPW, one of the first built, chassis number GPW 28407, registered for civil use in the province of Bologna in the 1960s and recently restored with maniacal care for originality and the smallest details, as can be seen in numerous details marked 'F'. The only concession to practicality ...

70,611
15 Mar 2024
Italy
Private

West Coast Classics are proud to present a great daily driving and mildly customized example of this 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 coupe which was built in San Jose, California and born with a 289 2V 'C' code V8 engine with an automatic C4 transmission, in its original 'Springtime Yellow' factory color paint, luxury ...

48,303
27 Mar 2024
United States

1976 2 door Mk2 1300cc Ford Escort. One South African owner until imported 2017, one previous U.K. owner prior to my purchase last year. Few imperfections on an otherwise outstanding bodyshell, handwritten service history that you just wouldn’t believe, from its first Ford service through to its last in 2017 ….. ...

38,000
13 Mar 2024
Scotland
Private

Finished in gleaming red ,complimented with contrasting period interior, A rare car in a great spec , very original kind of charming as it has not had a full on restoration , but it has been maintained and used regularly , and drives exceptionally well as an unrestored car can do .This rare GT XL is the perfect example, ...

37,000
27 Mar 2024
Hampshire
Verified Dealer (see stock)