samTrans 852 - 1984 Gillig Phantom

[@cmiller415]

I rode samtrans every single day when I was a kid. I wonder if I ever actually rode in your bus. 😂 You did a fantastic job!!!!! Makes me homesick just looking at it.

[@MarcosAR]

Awesome job on that Gillig Phantom. 36 years old and looking as sharp as a new bus. Great job man.

[@markambus]

I drove that bus many of times in my years at samTrans. You've done an excellent job restoring it. :)

[@TheCRTman]

It was a dream of mine for this bus to be saved when i first found it on SamTrans' roster in 2014. Then it was a dream of mine for you to save it when we first met in 2015 and found out we both liked early 80's Phantoms. Now that dream has come true. That bus looks so good.

[@jameswise3971]

Masterful job on this Gillig Phantom! When you mentioned that it had low mileage due to sitting around for over a decade it reminded me of my 1997 Chevy Lumina.

[@norcaloldschool]

I worked at SamTrans in the Maintenance Dept from 1995 to 2007. I was the Project Manager for the 1998 Gillig Phantoms that replaced these 1984/85 800 series Gillig Phantoms. So, my project was accept the new buses and ready them for revenue service and to decommission those old 800 series buses. I remember your bus being held back as the PR bus. Your bus was always assigned to South Base. Do you still have this bus and where is it now? It looks fantastic!

[@chrisbusnut]

I do still have the bus, and it's garaged outside of Portland, Oregon. You mentioned the 1998 Phantoms (600 series). I also own 643. Thanks for the compliment!

[@cats0182]

My first introduction to the Gillig Phantom was rental car shuttle buses at the Orlando International Airport.

[@calvincrews3885]

The Beast is alive and a great 80’s time capsule keep this one for future generations to see this Gilling Phantom standard floor

[@LukeTansiongco]

Still remember during my early days when we came in the US(2009)it would pass by through our street & at that time new home

[@MEVA1104]

Beautiful Bus!!!!

[@enolamsamoht]

The wheel well skirting also looks new.

[@369Bandido]

That is a Clean Machine.

[@reutzelfred]

Awesome Chris

[@enolamsamoht]

Actually those retired at around 2004

[@MVTransportation482]

1999 2000 2002 some where around that time

[@jeffmoore6379]

Shame its not smog legal in california anymore

[@transitfan2000]

Is this restored by SamTrans

[@chrisbusnut]

Bus is privately owned.

[@transitfan2000]

@@chrisbusnut dude OK and did you look at Wikipedia for SamTrans fleet roster

[@aleax5670]

What engine and transmission is it

[@chrisbusnut]

Detroit Diesel 6V92TA; Allison HT747

[@HGM19922]

This is beautiful, I wish you had gotten ahold of LADOT’s 87000s,m. Are you planning to swap out the wheels for Alcoas?

[@chrisbusnut]

No, I'm keeping it original. These never had Alcoas in service.

[@HGM19922]

@@chrisbusnut Of course, beautiful regardless, the closest I've had to owning one myself is a scale model. :)

[@Sir.VicsMasher]

Was this anyone else's School Bus? It blows peoples minds that my school district did not offer school bus service which forced kids to ride public transportation with the wacko's.

[@chrisbusnut]

This was a transit bus for San Mateo County, and it's restored to exactly as it was when in service.

[@reynareyna9149]

#squad roll call

[@gsm19911]

What is the body of a Gillig Phantom made out of? I’ve heard rumors of just galvanized steel
And the phantoms were prone to rusting. Also, does this have a full ladder frame like a school bus?

[@cmonleechamone9766]

Not for sale is it?

[@chrisgiles4738]

Not for sale.