Where did the Superior Coach Company come from?
The roots of the Superior Coach Company date back to 1915 when The Garford Motor Truck Co. of Elyria, Ohio, moved from Elyria to Lima, Ohio, 150 miles to the southeast. Established in 1909 Garford was a leading manufacturer of heavy trucks and had introduced a successful line of 25-29 passenger buses in 1923.
Where was superior motor coach body co located?
A group of local Lima businessmen sensed and opportunity and formed the Superior Motor Coach Body Co in May of 1923 to construct bodies for Garford’s new bus chassis. A small 12,000 sq. ft. plant was purchased in downtown Lima at the corner of Wapakoneta Rd and Fourth St.
What was the name of the first Superior bus?
Superior’s first complete bus was an integral type known as the Avenue, with a Ford V-8 rear-mounted engine, put on the market in 1938 and joined in the next year by an over-the-road version called the Rocket. There was a wartime hiatus, and a redesigned transit bus was again offered briefly after 1946.
When did Studebaker start making the Superior Coach?
Identical Studebaker and Studebaker-Superior coaches were marketed by both firms throughout the late 1920s and early 1930s, although Superior would mount their bodies on any chassis the customer desired, placing quite a few on Cadillac chassis.
Who is the parent company of Superior Coach?
Superior Coach was a coachbuilder in the American automotive industry. Founded in 1909 as the Garford Motor Truck Company, Superior is best known for constructing bodies for professional cars ( hearses) and school buses. Following major downturns in both segments in the late 1970s, Superior was liquidated by its parent company in 1980.
When did Superior motor truck company become a company?
Founded in 1909 as the Garford Motor Truck Company, Superior is best known for constructing bodies for professional cars ( hearses) and school buses. Following major downturns in both segments in the late 1970s, Superior was liquidated by its parent company in 1980. From 1925 to 1980, the company was based in Lima, Ohio.
Where was the Superior School Bus Company located?
From 1925 to 1980, the company was based in Lima, Ohio. After its 1980 closure, the Superior name would live on through several other companies. The manufacturing of school buses would play a part of the formation of Mid Bus (acquired by Collins Industries in 2008) and the professional car operations would remain in Lima as part of Accubuilt.
Who was the owner of superior Hearse Company?
In 1981, the hearse business of Superior was sold to Tom Earnhart. Later that year, it was merged with the largest competitor, the S&S Coach Company. This formed a new company, S&S/Superior of Ohio, to oversee the further development of the two businesses.
