This video was shot and narrated by the late Bob Redden, most likely in the early 1980’s.
Bob was a prolific bus photographer, and the founder of IBC (International Bus Collectors). IBC was a bus enthusiast’s club and publication, and Bob (with the help from lots of people including some of you) started Bus Bash, which in some ways is precursor to the Museum of Bus Transportation (MOBT) Spring Fling. This Golden Eagle Model 05 was the last all original Golden Eagle running at the time Bob did the video. Richard Allison would not consider selling the bus at the time. However, when he passed away, the family donated it to the Museum of Bus Transportation (MOBT). Â It is such a unique piece of history and basically untouched with any modifications. They also knew it belonged in the MOBT because it was so rare.
This particular Golden Eagle (serial number 8410) is currently display at the Hershey, Pa-based Museum of Bus Transportation (MOBT). The Hershey, Pa-based Museum of Bus Transportation (MOBT) and the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum (AACA) agreed to merge in 2019. The award winning AACA Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has served as the home of the Museum of Bus Transportation since opening to the public in 2003.
Founded in 1994 the MOBT began renting exhibit space at the AACAM in 2003. They currently have a fleet of 40 historic buses, ranging from a 1908 White to a 2009 battery-powered Proterra. Many are currently stored at an annex, but the plan is to eventually have them all available to the public during the AACAM’s extensive hours.
The Panhandle Golden Eagle was 1 of only 12 built in 1971 and also these were the last batch of Golden Eagles built according to the Eagle records. Here are the others in that production run. As you can see, Panhandle only purchased the one Golden Eagle at that time.
Serial No.
8404Â Â Â American Bus Lines, Eastern
8405Â Â Â American Bus Lines, Eastern
8406Â Â Â American Bus Lines, Eastern
8407Â Â Â American Bus Lines, Mid-American
8408Â Â Â Continental Western Lines
8409Â Â Â Continental Western Lines
8410Â Â Â Continental Panhandle Lines
8411Â Â Â Continental Western Lines
8412Â Â Â Continental Southern Lines
8413Â Â Â Continental Southern Lines
8414Â Â Â Tennessee Trailways
8415Â Â Â Tennessee Trailways
Visit the Bob Redden Archives website and their youtube page Redden Archives.
Additional Great Eagle Videos
Page contributors:
Tom Collins, Neil Fluit, Godfrey LeBron, Daniel Lenz, Dave Millhouser, & Randy Wilcox