Fitzjohn
Encyclopedia
FitzJohn was a bus manufacturer in Muskegon, Michigan
. The company was founded October 8, 1919, by Harry Alphonse FitzJohn, and built over 5,000 bus bodies, complete buses, stretchout sedans and passenger-carrying trailers before closing down in May 1958.
chassis, while the latter were for REO
s. Originally sold under the Fitz-Er marque, the buses were soon badged as FitzJohn. FitzJohn's best selling point was the low price relative to its quality, which led to enough success that a new plant was purchased in 1924, five times larger than the original. Sales continued to increase, doubling from 1924 to 1925, and in the late 1920s FitzJohn was delivering almost 300 bodies a year. At that time FitzJohn models had a simple letter designation, although some had rather basic names, too. However, since so many options (such as rooftop luggage racks or polished aluminum bright-work) were offered, many of the variations were also given Indian names by the company's sales & marketing department.
From 1 January, 1929, FitzJohn began selling directly to consumers, rather than exclusively through chassis manufacturers and dealers. This change, however, did not prevent a 40% decline in sales due to the Depression
, and on 8 June, 1931, the company went into receivership. Its founder (H.A. FitzJohn) was forced out, and went into partnership with Paul O. Dittmar to produce the 12- to 15-passenger Dittmar-FitzJohn Autocoach (similar to the model D, but with a lowered aisle along the right side). H.A. FitzJohn later became the first manager of the General American Aerocoach Company
.
In 1934 FitzJohn introduced its 11-passenger stretchout
model 100. It was based on the Chevrolet Master Sedan which was split in the middle, had an extra body section inserted and a baggage rack added to the roof. The 100 was an immediate success, primarily as an economical "mini-coach" for feeder routes, although some were used for airport transfers or sightseeing services. During World War II
, when many other bus manufacturers suspended production in favour of war materiel, the War Production Board
directed FitzJohn to build a 15-passenger version of the 100. Otherwise-surplus Chevrolet, Pontiac and Packard sedans had extra rows of back-to-back seats installed, but because of wartime restrictions, white ash framing and Masonite panels were used instead of metal. Sixty-two enclosed auto haulers were also converted to passenger-carrying trailers in 1943.
Starting about 1940, under the direction of James J. St.Croix FitzJohn began to switch from building bodies for other manufacturers' chassis to their own integral models. The last bus body delivered was a model 625 in March 1940 for a White 1012 demonstrator chassis. In 1950 diesel power began to be offered as an option. At the same time the current models were redesigned with rear engines. Even though the Cityliner offered unparalleled maintenance access to the engine (the rear corner panels swung out, as well as the back panels lifted up), FitzJohn could not compete against the larger manufacturers (such as GM and Twin Coach
) and decided to leave the transit market in 1954.
FitzJohn's last offering was the Roadrunner. Officially designated the FID (FitzJohn Interurban Diesel with a 150 hp Cummins
JBS-600) or FIG (with a Gasoline Waukesha
176 hp 140-GK), the Roadrunner was offered as a 37-passenger coach with a 237 inches (6 m) wheelbase, or a shortened 33-seat version on a 201 inches (5.1 m) wheelbase. Only 14 FIGs were built, and all but a handful of the Roadrunners were 37-seaters. The last FitzJohns built for an American customer were five Roadrunner Sightseer variants (with roof windows) for Florida Greyhound Lines
. The 85000 square feet (7,896.8 m²) Muskegon factory closed in May 1958, after the last order of 54 FIDs was delivered to Mexico.
Sales records exist for the 31 years 1927 through 1958. During that time FitzJohn constructed 2,621 buses and coaches, 1,460 bodies, 776 stretchouts, and 62 trailer conversions. It is estimated that over 400 bus bodies—plus a small number of truck bodies—were built in the years 1921–1927, for a total of over 5,300 units.
airport. The first buses built by FitzJohn Coach of Canada Ltd. were delivered to Hollinger Bus Lines (a suburban Toronto
company) in May 1950. The Brantford plant built 197 buses during
its entire existence. Initially the front-engined 310 Cityliner was produced, but construction switched to the rear-engine FTD and FTD. In 1958 the facility was sold to Blue Bird, allowing that company to expand into Canada.
Shortly after World War II FitzJohn established a sales unit in Mexico City. Mexico proved to be a fertile market for the company, and 40-passenger Super Duraliners were sold there until 1956, many built to an unusual rear-entrance/exit configuration. Although sales dropped in the mid-1950s when the Mexican government began to encourage domestic manufacturing, over 50 Roadrunners were exported. Following the dissolution of FitzJohn, a Mexican company began building the Roadrunner.
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County...
. The company was founded October 8, 1919, by Harry Alphonse FitzJohn, and built over 5,000 bus bodies, complete buses, stretchout sedans and passenger-carrying trailers before closing down in May 1958.
| Corporate names | |
|---|---|
| FitzJohn-Erwin Manufacturing Company | 1919–1933 |
| FitzJohn Manufacturing Company | 1933–1935 |
| FitzJohn Body Company | 1935–1937 |
| FitzJohn Coach Company | 1937–1958 |
| FitzJohn Coach of Canada Ltd. | 1949–1959 |
History
The FitzJohn company was formed in 1919 to build truck and bus bodies. The former were mostly for FordFord Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
chassis, while the latter were for REO
REO Motor Car Company
The REO Motor Car Company was a Lansing, Michigan based company that produced automobiles and trucks from 1905 to 1975. At one point the company also manufactured buses on its truck platforms.REO was initiated by Ransom E. Olds during August 1904...
s. Originally sold under the Fitz-Er marque, the buses were soon badged as FitzJohn. FitzJohn's best selling point was the low price relative to its quality, which led to enough success that a new plant was purchased in 1924, five times larger than the original. Sales continued to increase, doubling from 1924 to 1925, and in the late 1920s FitzJohn was delivering almost 300 bodies a year. At that time FitzJohn models had a simple letter designation, although some had rather basic names, too. However, since so many options (such as rooftop luggage racks or polished aluminum bright-work) were offered, many of the variations were also given Indian names by the company's sales & marketing department.
From 1 January, 1929, FitzJohn began selling directly to consumers, rather than exclusively through chassis manufacturers and dealers. This change, however, did not prevent a 40% decline in sales due to the Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, and on 8 June, 1931, the company went into receivership. Its founder (H.A. FitzJohn) was forced out, and went into partnership with Paul O. Dittmar to produce the 12- to 15-passenger Dittmar-FitzJohn Autocoach (similar to the model D, but with a lowered aisle along the right side). H.A. FitzJohn later became the first manager of the General American Aerocoach Company
Aerocoach
Aerocoach was a bus and coach manufacturer based in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States and was popular in the 1940s. The company existed between 1939 and 1952 when it went out of business. Its first manager was Harry Alphonse Fitzjohn, co-founder of the FitzJohn-Erwin Manufacturing Company....
.
In 1934 FitzJohn introduced its 11-passenger stretchout
Limousine
A limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white....
model 100. It was based on the Chevrolet Master Sedan which was split in the middle, had an extra body section inserted and a baggage rack added to the roof. The 100 was an immediate success, primarily as an economical "mini-coach" for feeder routes, although some were used for airport transfers or sightseeing services. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when many other bus manufacturers suspended production in favour of war materiel, the War Production Board
War Production Board
The War Production Board was established as a government agency on January 16, 1942 by executive order of Franklin D. Roosevelt.The purpose of the board was to regulate the production and allocation of materials and fuel during World War II in the United States...
directed FitzJohn to build a 15-passenger version of the 100. Otherwise-surplus Chevrolet, Pontiac and Packard sedans had extra rows of back-to-back seats installed, but because of wartime restrictions, white ash framing and Masonite panels were used instead of metal. Sixty-two enclosed auto haulers were also converted to passenger-carrying trailers in 1943.
Starting about 1940, under the direction of James J. St.Croix FitzJohn began to switch from building bodies for other manufacturers' chassis to their own integral models. The last bus body delivered was a model 625 in March 1940 for a White 1012 demonstrator chassis. In 1950 diesel power began to be offered as an option. At the same time the current models were redesigned with rear engines. Even though the Cityliner offered unparalleled maintenance access to the engine (the rear corner panels swung out, as well as the back panels lifted up), FitzJohn could not compete against the larger manufacturers (such as GM and Twin Coach
Twin Coach
Twin Coach was an American vehicle manufacturing company from 1927 to 1955, based in Kent, Ohio, and a maker of marine engines and airplane parts until the 1960s. It was formed by brothers Frank and William Fageol when they left the Fageol Motor Company in 1927. They established the company in...
) and decided to leave the transit market in 1954.
FitzJohn's last offering was the Roadrunner. Officially designated the FID (FitzJohn Interurban Diesel with a 150 hp Cummins
Cummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
JBS-600) or FIG (with a Gasoline Waukesha
Waukesha Engines
Waukesha Engines was founded in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1906, and is now a manufacturer of large stationary reciprocating engines although it once built smaller engines as well, including automotive engines.-External links:*...
176 hp 140-GK), the Roadrunner was offered as a 37-passenger coach with a 237 inches (6 m) wheelbase, or a shortened 33-seat version on a 201 inches (5.1 m) wheelbase. Only 14 FIGs were built, and all but a handful of the Roadrunners were 37-seaters. The last FitzJohns built for an American customer were five Roadrunner Sightseer variants (with roof windows) for Florida Greyhound Lines
Florida Greyhound Lines
The Florida Greyhound Lines , a highway-coach carrier, was a Greyhound regional operating company, based in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, from 1946 until 1957, when it was merged into the Southeastern Greyhound Lines, a neighboring operating company.-Origin:The immediate predecessor of the Florida...
. The 85000 square feet (7,896.8 m²) Muskegon factory closed in May 1958, after the last order of 54 FIDs was delivered to Mexico.
Sales records exist for the 31 years 1927 through 1958. During that time FitzJohn constructed 2,621 buses and coaches, 1,460 bodies, 776 stretchouts, and 62 trailer conversions. It is estimated that over 400 bus bodies—plus a small number of truck bodies—were built in the years 1921–1927, for a total of over 5,300 units.
Foreign operations
In 1949 FitzJohn purchased surplus land and a 42000 sq ft (3,901.9 m²) airplane hangar adjacent to the Brantford, OntarioBrantford, Ontario
Brantford is a city located on the Grand River in Southern Ontario, Canada. While geographically surrounded by the County of Brant, the city is politically independent...
airport. The first buses built by FitzJohn Coach of Canada Ltd. were delivered to Hollinger Bus Lines (a suburban Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
company) in May 1950. The Brantford plant built 197 buses during
its entire existence. Initially the front-engined 310 Cityliner was produced, but construction switched to the rear-engine FTD and FTD. In 1958 the facility was sold to Blue Bird, allowing that company to expand into Canada.
Shortly after World War II FitzJohn established a sales unit in Mexico City. Mexico proved to be a fertile market for the company, and 40-passenger Super Duraliners were sold there until 1956, many built to an unusual rear-entrance/exit configuration. Although sales dropped in the mid-1950s when the Mexican government began to encourage domestic manufacturing, over 50 Roadrunners were exported. Following the dissolution of FitzJohn, a Mexican company began building the Roadrunner.
Products
| Model | Seats | Type | Built | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-60 | 18 | transit | 1921–1927 | for ¾-ton Reo Speed Wagon REO Speed Wagon The REO Speed Wagon was a light motor truck manufactured by REO Motor Car Company. It was an ancestor of the pickup truck.... chassis; replaced by model F |
| F-75 | 18 | parlor | | 1921–? | sedan-style; for ¾-ton Reo Speed Wagon chassis |
| B-51 | 21 | transit | 1922–1928 | for ¾-ton Reo Speed Wagon chassis; replaced by model B |
| — | 22 | parlor | 1924–1927 | for Reo W chassis |
| B | 21 | transit | 1927–1933 | Pay-Enter Grand; Seneca without upper sash windows, Sioux with upper sash windows |
| C | 17–25 | parlor | 1927–1933 | Observation Coach (21 seats); Mohawk with 17 seats, Tecumseh with 25 seats |
| D | 12–17 | transit/suburban | 1927–1933 | Utility Coach; Algonquin with 12 seats, Juniata with 14 seats, Apache with 17 seats |
| F | 17 | transit | 1927–1928 | |
| G | 21 | parlor | ?–1933 | Observation Coach; Tomahawk with inside lofts, Shiawassee without inside lofts |
| H | 29 | transit | ?–1933 | Pensacola |
| K | 25 | transit/suburban | 1928–1933 | Navajo |
| L | 19–29 | parlor | 1928–1933 | Commander of the Highways (19 seats); Chippewa with 21 seats, Shawnee with 25 seats, Pocahontas with 29 seats |
| S | various | school | ?–1933 | Hiawatha |
| 5 | 13 | parlor | 1933–? | streamlined body; only 3 built |
| 10 | 16 | parlor | 1933–? | streamlined body; only 7 built (2 as railbuses Railbus A railbus is a very lightweight type passenger rail vehicle that shares many aspects of their construction with a bus, usually having a bus, or modified bus body, and having four wheels on a fixed base, instead of on bogies... ) |
| 15 | ? | ? | 1933–? | no details |
| 20 | ? | ? | 1933–? | no details |
| 25 | ? | ? | 1933–? | no details |
| 30 | ? | ? | 1933–? | no details |
| 35 | 21–29 | transit | 1933-1939 | 198 built (includes 35A, 35B, 35C, 35X and streamlined 35Z versions) |
| 100 | 11–15 | sedan | 1934–194x | stretchout Limousine A limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white.... Chevrolet Master Sedan; 776 built; 15-seat version built during World War 2 |
| 135 | ? | parlor | 1935 | 2 built |
| 150 | ? | parlor | 1934–? | Deluxe Streamlined Intercity |
| 175 | ? | parlor | ? | no details |
| 215 | 16–21 | transit | 1934–? | 101 built |
| 250 | 21–25 | parlor | 1934–? | Dural Intercity: all-metal flat-front duralumin Duralumin Duralumin is the trade name of one of the earliest types of age-hardenable aluminium alloys. The main alloying constituents are copper, manganese, and magnesium. A commonly used modern equivalent of this alloy type is AA2024, which contains 4.4% copper, 1.5% magnesium, 0.6% manganese and 93.5%... body; replaced by model 325 |
| 300 | ? | transit | 193x–1942 | 245 built (14 as bodies only); replaced by model 310 |
| 310 | 27–39 | transit | 1944–1950 | Cityliner; forward-entrance flat-front bus; also offered with Hercules JXLD engine; standee windows added in 1947; replaced by models FTD & FTG |
| 325 | ? | parlor | ?–1940 | available as body-only or integral coach; replaced by models 500 & 600 |
| 350 | ? | transit | 1936–1937 | forward-entrance flat-front all-metal body for Reo 3P7 chassis; 25 built |
| 500 | 24–32 | parlor | 1939–1945 | Duraliner; 243 built; replaced by model 510 |
| 510 | 24–32 | parlor | 1946–1952 | Duraliner; 499 built |
| 525 | 28 | parlor | ? | Duraliner; 7 built |
| 600 | 36 | parlor | 1939–1940 | Falcon; mid-ship underfloor engine |
| 610 | 36 | parlor | 1940–1946 | Falcon; front engine; replaced by model 635 |
| 615 | 36 | parlor | ?–1946 | Falcon; air-conditioned version of the 610; replaced by model 635 |
| 625 | ? | parlor | 1940 | last body-only desgin; for White White Motor Company White Motor Company was an American automobile and truck manufacturer from 1900 until 1980. The company also produced bicycles, roller skates, automatic lathes, and sewing machines. Before World War II, the company was based in Cleveland, Ohio.-History:... 1012 chassis |
| 635 | 36–40 | parlor | 1949 | Super Duraliner; 25 built; export version sold in Mexico until 1956 |
| FTD | ? | transit | 1950–1954 | Cityliner; rear diesel engine (usually Cummins Cummins Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems... JT-6B) |
| FTG | ? | transit | 1950–1954 | Cityliner; rear gasoline engine (usually Waukesha Waukesha Engines Waukesha Engines was founded in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1906, and is now a manufacturer of large stationary reciprocating engines although it once built smaller engines as well, including automotive engines.-External links:*... 140-GK) |
| FSD/FSG | ? | suburban | ? | Suburbanliner; high-back seats and no center door; only 3 built |
| FID/FIG | 33–37 | interurban | 1954–1958 | Roadrunner; Sightseer offered with roof windows; 14 FIG built |
| — | ? | trailer | 1943 | auto-hauling trailers converted to passenger units; 62 built |
External links
- Coachbult.com - Fitzjohn Body Company
- FitzJohn Buses
- Transportes del Pacifico 119: a Mexican-built Roadrunner
