D.S.R. EQUIPMENT PHOTOS — 1970's
The transit vehicles displayed in this 1970's Gallery were purchased by the city-owned
D.S.R. and D-DOT agencies during the 1970's. Although fleets of GM "new-look" coaches
were the primary vehicles purchased during the first portion of the decade, the first
redesigned GMC transit bus since 1959 would arrive on the scene by the decade's end.
GMC "NEW-LOOK" COACHES – MODEL T8H-5307A
FORMER DSR GMC T8H-5307A "NEW-LOOKS" REPAINTED UNDER THE D-DOT ERA
ATTENTION: The "DetroitTransitHistory.info" web-site is in need of additional photos,
particularly interior views, of the DSR "new-look" model coach T8H-5307A.  These would include
b-&-w and/or color photos of this series transit coach manufactured by General Motors Truck & Coach:
* The #2800-2900 series — delivered in 1972

Of course, photos of any additional DSR/DDOT "new-look" models (a.k.a. "fishbowls" or "silver-sides")
are also welcome.  Any interior photos of DSR/DDOT new-looks are needed as well.  If you would like
to share your photos on this web-site please contact the site-administrator at:
detbusfan@detroittansithistory.info
(proper credit source will be given to the photos if requested)
TO BEGIN OUR 1970'S D-DOT EQUIPMENT PHOTO GALLERY CLICK-ON "NEXT"
BACK TO THE
1960'S
The 1970's for Detroit area transit was
definitely the decade of change. Just two
years after celebrating 50 years of service
the DSR would be reorganized as D-DOT,
while the new regional transit authority
SEMTA would begin to play a major role
in this region's public transit arena. In
addition, a new advanced designed bus,
the RTS-II, would make its appearance
before the close of the decade.
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All Jim Husing Collection photos are posted with the permission of Mr. James Husing. Any distribution of photos for sale purposes is
prohibited.
PHOTO: DSR GMC T8H-5307A (DSR 1972 photo)
Just in time to celebrate its 50th anniversary year, the Detroit DSR placed the first of 134 GMC
model T8H-5307A "fourth generation" new-look coaches into service on January 11, 1972.  The
new coaches (#2801-2934) would be the first large Detroit bus order where the entire fleet came
equipped with air-conditioning, and the only fleet to sport the new DSR slogan "Come Ride With
Us!"— displayed above the standee windows. At a cost of $41,393 apiece, these would be the
last new buses delivered under the DSR.  In the above photo, coach #2887 is southbound along
Woodward Avenue at Michigan, while at work on the Woodward line in May of 1978.   
[Melvin Bernero photobucket.com collection, used by permission of Melvin Bernero]
In addition to air-conditioning, the #2800–2900 series GMC new-look coaches came equipped
with two-way radios, heated front door steps to keep off  ice, and push-type rear exit doors. The
T8H-5307As were the first DSR coaches powered by an 8-cylinder Detroit Diesel 8V-71 engine,
and the new EIP (Environmental Improvement Package) exhaust system, with the exhaust pipe
now located near the left roof at the rear to alleviate smoke and odor. They were also the first to
come with the VS2 transmission, controlled by a toggle switch located on the instrument panel.
[Gerald Squier photo, courtesy of the Jim Husing Collection — see disclaimer below]
Because the T8H-5307As were powered by V-8 engines, the #2800-2900 coaches provided a
faster take-off and often found service during their earlier years on the more heavier routes,
such as Woodward, Dexter, Grand River and Gratiot.  Coach #2919 is seen here on Jefferson
Avenue near Washington Blvd., somewhat encrusted with salt while working the Hamilton line
during March of 1978.  The last of the #2800-2900s were retired during the early 1990's.
[Melvin Bernero photobucket.com collection, used by permission of Melvin Bernero]
Of that total 154-coach order, 55 were owned by the Southeastern Michigan Transportation
Authority (SEMTA). While 35 were leased to the DSR, the remaining twenty were evenly split
between Great Lakes Transit Corp. and Metropolitan Transit Inc. Ten coaches (#1266-1275)
were leased to Great Lakes while ten (#37-46) were leased to Metro Transit. All were equipped
with 41 deluxe forward-facing seats and sealed center exit doors. In this 1978 photo, former
Great Lakes Transit coach #1272 is seen in downtown Detroit, now sporting the SEMTA colors.  
[Melvin Bernero photobucket.com collection, used by permission of Melvin Bernero]
Actually, the T8H-5307As were purchased through the Southeastern Michigan Transportation
Authority (SEMTA) as part of a $6.6 million, 154-coach cooperative order between the City of
Detroit, the DSR, the State of Michigan, Great Lakes Transit Corp. and Metropolitan Transit Inc.
Of the 134 coaches earmarked for use by the DSR, 99 were purchased by the DSR and the City
of Detroit, while the remaining 35 were owned by SEMTA and leased to the DSR.  
[Melvin Bernero photobucket.com collection, used by permission of Melvin Bernero]
The DSR's T8H-5307As also came equipped with impact-absorbing water-filled front bumpers.  
These bumpers were comprised of seven rubber containers filled with water and antifreeze, and
resembled a row of rubber blocks attached to the bumper.  On impact, the top (blow-out plugs)
would pop off and the water was forced out through a small opening. In the right photo, a DSR
patron inspects the new bumpers while coach #2874 was being displayed in Campus Martius in
Downtown Detroit on January 10, 1972. However, these impact-absorbing water-filled bumpers
didn't hang around long, and were all eventually removed and replaced by standard bumpers.
[Left photo: Detroit News photo — Right photo: Detroit Free Press photo]
Although not the best quality, this Detroit News photo shows an interior view of a typical DSR
T8H-5307A coach. These #2800–2900 series coaches were the first Detroit new-looks to part
from the traditional green interior color decor — used since the first new-looks arrived in 1960.
These 50-passenger coaches sported light-yellow upper and side panels, with brown doors and
front dash. They also came with pedestal-based vinyl upholstered seats, arrayed in a variety of
yellows, tans and browns. The last two coaches in the fleet, #2933 and 2934, sported a blue and
off-white interior color decor, and came equipped with 41 deluxe forward-facing blue seats.
These two coaches were reserved primarily for Gray Line and special Charter Service orders.
[Photo source: Monday, January 10, 1972, photo from The Detroit News]
One of the last coaches to arrive on the property under the DSR was a GMC "Diesel Cruiser"
demonstrator coach—possibly a T8H-5305A (or 5307A)—which arrived in the Spring of 1973.
The demo, numbered as coach #3000, arrived on May 13, 1973, and was tested four months in
regular service. The rear A/C unit cover also displayed the words "LOOK—I QUIT SMOKING!
(AND THE ODOR IS GONE TOO)" with an arrow pointing to GM's EIP vertical exhaust system.
Coach #3000 was returned to GM on September 14, 1973. Although not much more is known
on this coach, the paint scheme resembles the livery to be adopted by DDOT beginning in 1975.
[website owner's collection photo, courtesy of the Schramm photo collection]
After the arrival in June of 1975, of the first fleet of new buses under DDOT, the department
began repainting a number of former DSR coaches with the new DDOT livery introduced on the
new buses. Coach #2853 can be seen sporting a version of the original DDOT color scheme in
this May, 1978 photo, while southbound on Woodward at Michigan working the Dexter line.
Interestingly, the repainted coaches also included a "green-bottom" paint scheme, never used
on the original DDOT design. A brand new livery was introduced after the RTSs arrived in 1978.  
[Melvin Bernero photobucket.com collection, used by permission of Melvin Bernero]