Gillig Phantom AC Transit 1546 

These were the main buses for San Diego Transit when I was a teenager. That engine rev was nostalgic!

Man this sounds tight!!! Detroit 6V92 is a classic

I really like how the 1400 and the 1500 series engines sounded! Plus, those coaches were my favorite Gillig types from AC Transit, including the 2800 series. Seems that the Gilligs are soon-to-be extinct in AC's fleet. The few surviving Gilligs are the 2700 and the 2800 series (most of them are now with MUNI). In addition, the NABI 3100 and 7200 series were also my favorites when there were added to the fleet, around 1997.

I remember this bus from my childhood

It sounds also like a Santa Cruz Metro Gillig Phantom.

Love this video

Beastly 6V92 Phantom smokin' it up!

I missed the public buses here in California from my generation. I remember my first bus ride somewhere around 1982 or 83 or possibly sooner. I think my bus ride was 1981. This was before technology took over. And, you had the paper thin transfer back in the day. Now they feel like cards.

The 1500 series Gillig Phantoms (which 1546 is in) use by Alameda-Contra Costa Transit (AC Transit) were built in the 4th quarter of 1984.

Those 6v92's were my favorite. Now it's the series 50.

AC Transits NABIs were perfectly fine. After GM Sharon Banks passed away in '99, the current GM Rick Fernandez took her place. He started his quest to getting rid of the good stuff. He spent the taxpayers money A LOT of trips to Europe, including other places besides the VanHool facility. He asked the board to approve a 5yr No-Bid contract to VanHool, and yet another for more artics to get rid of the NFIs. Theres more to elaborate on the subject. Do a web search on AC Transit and the VanHools

AC Transit is also getting rid of their 29XX, NABI 416 with Series 50....what a sad thing...

yeah i used to get the phantoms without a back door. They had comfy seats on the inside.

I know that the San Francisco International Airport's 1984 Orion I's would also have sounded like this, as they too use the Detroit Diesel 6V92TAC engine and Allison HT747 transmission.

Man I miss that sound of the 84 ' s But, The 81 to 83 phantoms like the ones from Forrest Gump (ACT 1300 series), had this grumble that no other 6v92 powered vehicle could mimic. A cloud of smoke and they shot down the Avenue like a bat put of Hell. My grandad hated driving them though for ACT. He was GMC New Look all day or Nothing at all.

they got too many VanHools, they shouldve just bought what they needed for their Rapid service. The NABIs are perfectly fine.

It sounds similar to the first generation (1980-1982) predecessor that had the 6V92/HT-740 powertrain.

And I'm sure that bus stop is still there till this day

i luv that idle.

nice vid luv tht 6v92 i seen in mexico similar 1s

Good 6V92

But Santa Cruz's Phantoms were repowered with Cummins ISC...

This Gillig Bus Contains Diesel which is Detroit Diesel.

Just like CAT's 1990 Gillig Phantoms.

I'll have to look into my collection first. Stay tune thanks!

d ones in Arcata, CA are powered with a Cummins Diesel ISM engine! But d ones in Pismo Beach, CA are powered with a Detroit Diesel Series 50 engine! and d Detroit Diesel Series 50 engine is d loudest engine, and so d Cummins Diesel engine is d quietest engine! But so far d ones in Sacramento, CA had a Detroit Diesel 6V92 turbo engine, but dose kind blew black smoke out of de engine!

the 2900 engines are the best. im from suffolk county long island and the buses out here that used those engines were retired in 99 and then the rest of them in 2005

Is that a 1984? If so, you got footage before it was retired in 2003.

we got ours around that time, im from Richmond VA, except they were Gillig Phamtoms, GRTC.

Well, if they have the same powertrain, I'm sure they sound very similar.

When GRTC purchased the 1996/1997/1998 Gillig Phantoms 35 ft. GRTC had series 101-155 [55 buses] 1988 Flixible series 301-327 [27 buses] 1990 Flixible series 801-837 [37 buses] 1985 Flixible series 201-234 [34 buses] 1998 Gillig series 401-422 [22 buses] 1997 Gillig series 901-921 [21 buses] 1996 Gillig

is the begining in bay fair?

yeah rts retired these for some newer gilligs.

Ninja Bus Fan Not sure if you've seen this one, but here is an AC Transit 1984 Gillig Phantom. (6V92TA/HT-740 or 747). I love when it gets going and blows out the smoke.

Christian Alvarado AC Transit 1984 Gillig Phantom (similar power train to the D60, but it has an older mechanical transmission).

@DaPlatinumJedi remember when they used to have red wheels. I love buses but I dont now nothing about them

Have you seen the electric trolley versions of these?

I see.

That's horrible there is nothing wrong with those buses.

Correction: used