| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
bbvision12
Active Member
43 Posts |
 Posted - 11/11/2011 : 1:28:23 PM
|
| Hi, I'm new to the website and fairly new to the wonderful world of school buses. I'm just curious about why some school buses have black hoods. I've only seen a few in my area, but on School Bus Central, School Bus Land, etc. there are some. Is there a real purpose, or they just for decor? |
|
|
Peter
Top Member
USA
1057 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2011 : 1:52:53 PM
|
| Hoods painted flat black help to reduce glare. They're especially helpful this time of year as the sun stays lower in the sky. |
Spicer is nicer. |
 |
|
|
bbvision12
Active Member
43 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2011 : 2:07:47 PM
|
| Thanks! I've seen these a lot but never knew their real purpose. |
|
|
|
Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2011 : 2:43:28 PM
|
Black hoods used to be allowed in Iowa but afaik not any longer. It is legal to order the bus with "lusterless yellow" hood to reduce glare. In our district the glossly hoods become "lusterless" soon enough as almost all sit outside in the elements. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
|
|
|
bus724
Top Member
USA
1609 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2011 : 3:16:07 PM
|
| Many states require the black hood. If you look on a new one, you'll notice that it's a flat paint, not glossy. Other states require a flat "lusterless" hood, which can be either black or yellow. |
|
|
|
05ICCE
Senior Member
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2011 : 06:33:27 AM
|
| i would love to paint my "lusterless" yellow hood that faded but I.C. will do nothing about flat black but it is not legal in VA. |
Mr. Scott, "because he drives a COOL BUS" |
|
|
|
matts4290
Advanced Member
224 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2011 : 1:52:28 PM
|
| Any particular reason why so many Minnesota buses have black front fenders too? I've seen either or on a lot of different Minnesota ones. |
We can't all be conventional!
http://www.youtube.com/user/matts4290 |
|
|
|
bbvision12
Active Member
43 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2011 : 1:59:06 PM
|
| I've seen a few of those. I wonder why...They look really nice with 'em though. |
|
|
|
schoolbusperson101
Active Member
13 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2011 : 3:54:50 PM
|
| It is a requirement in CT for all school buses to have black hoods. |
|
|
|
bbvision12
Active Member
43 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2011 : 4:57:56 PM
|
| Is that the only state to require them? Is anybody here from a state that requires the black hoods? |
|
|
|
schoolbusperson101
Active Member
13 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2011 : 5:35:28 PM
|
| CT requires them. Every single school bus that comes to my middle school, that is in the FS lot I pass, and from pictures I've seen are with black hoods. And I also know people who have said it is required in CT. I'm sure its not the only state, there must be at least 1 more to require black hoods. |
|
|
|
Peter
Top Member
USA
1057 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2011 : 7:44:30 PM
|
| Matts, there's no state spec for black fenders or hoods. Some districts and contractors just like the look. Medicine Lake Lines always ordered their Blue Birds with black fenders and an extra rubrail until the last batch in '98. The idea was to make the fleet stand out a little from other operations. |
Spicer is nicer. |
|
|
|
bbvision12
Active Member
43 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2011 : 12:25:42 PM
|
| Thanks everyone! The black hoods have been something I've always been a fan of, but I've only seen one in service here in the Midwest. |
|
|
|
C.HARDY
Advanced Member
354 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2011 : 4:56:42 PM
|
| My Internationals are all yellow "lusterless" on top now with the clearcoat gone. It does make a difference with the glare. I know Hoglund used to paint their fenders black as well. |
"Hardybusman" |
|
|
|
ttotalone
New Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2013 : 6:33:46 PM
|
| In the province of Quebec and other prvinces, the hood is black since many years, by regulation... |
|
|
|
Trailboss
Senior Member
United States
196 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2013 : 08:52:33 AM
|
| It was several years back but we had one bus contracter because their were several in this area paint all of his buses finders black so he could tell which were his buses when he was out and about. |
|
|
|
schoolbus50
Active Member
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2013 : 3:33:08 PM
|
| The reason so many buses in Minnesota have black fenders is more for looks than anything else. When you combine them with chrome grilles it makes the bus look much nicer. I know Hoglund Transportation out of Monticello MN and Don's Bus service out of Albertville MN have all of thier conventional buses with black fenders and chrome grilles and the look very nice. |
|
|
|
AmTran Fan
New Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2013 : 10:55:43 PM
|
| I think that all buses should be required to have a white roof, 2 stop signs, a crossing arm, and a complete 8 way light system. |
|
|
|
C.HARDY
Advanced Member
354 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2013 : 09:36:14 AM
|
| I personally dont care for a white roof. |
"Hardybusman" |
|
|
|
Trailboss
Senior Member
United States
196 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2013 : 09:56:52 AM
|
| C.hardy just wandering if you are in the north or southern part of the states. I live in Oklahoma and the white roof does make a temperature difference also the tented windows help. |
|
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2013 : 11:51:49 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Trailboss
C.hardy just wandering if you are in the north or southern part of the states. I live in Oklahoma and the white roof does make a temperature difference also the tented windows help.
I'll second that. I don't live in the south but it helps a lot. So do the emergency/ vent hatches. |
Bryan |
|
|
|
C.HARDY
Advanced Member
354 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2013 : 4:09:17 PM
|
| Im in Va. I dont care for the looks of the white roof. I agree it makes a difference with heat I just like a yellow bus...lol. Roof hatches are fine but we have a terrible time with them leaking. Also with my aging fleet I am scared to open them in route and risk the wind cracking them. |
"Hardybusman" |
|
|
|
AllAmerican
Active Member
17 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2013 : 3:32:12 PM
|
One of my bus driving friends here in GA told me chrome grilles were not allowed on school buses in the state. Sure enough, I have never seen a GA bus with a chrome grille.
Back in the late 60's and 70's, our Fords were delivered with white, or yellow grilles. I thought it was because the district wanted "cheaper" buses, and did not want to pay the extra cost for chrome. Our 84 and up Chevys also had yellow grilles, and the new IC's, and BB visions have yellow grilles as well. The new C2's were delivered with black grilles, not as attractive as the grey ones to me.
One of the drivers had a 1986 S series IH, and those grilles rusted badly on our buses. She painted the grille silver to make it look better, but when the T/D saw it, he ordered her to paint it black. I think she actually had to paint it black before she could take it back out on the road. Those S series looked ugly with black grilles in my opinion.
I also remember our 1967 GMC's with black fenders, they looked aggressive, but since then, all of our buses have had yellow fenders.
And none of our buses have black hoods. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Black Hoods?
