The Flxible Company

[This is one of a series of articles written by Merrill Weekes for the newspaper Old Autos, starting in April, 2004. The series is written with the collective title of "Model T's to Motor Coaches."]

The Flxible Company was founded in 1912 to build a motorcycle sidecar with a flexible connection to the motorcycle. Originally, the Flexible Side Car Company, the name was intentionally misspelled in 1919 to be copyrighted.

The first Flxible bus, a twelve passenger sedan on a Studebaker chassis, was delivered in 1924 from the plant in Loudonville, Ohio. The original Clipper model was built in 1937 on a Chevrolet chassis and the engine mounted in the front. The next year, the first all metal Clipper had a rear mounted engine and greater passenger capacity. The well known twenty nine passenger Clipper was introduced in 1940, equipped with an eight cylinder Buick engine or an optional White truck six cylinder engine. Motor coach production ceased in 1941 as Flxible built aircraft parts for the war effort. Clipper production resumed in 1944.

Several motor coach companies purchased Clippers as soon as they were available to supplement their wartime mileage weary fleets. The 1944 and 1945 Models 29-BR-44 and 45 were distinct with single headlights and three single bar bumpers. In 1946 there was a slight change in appearance when dual headlights and a one piece bumper on the model 29-BR-46.

All Clippers had rounded rear ends with a scoop on the roof to supply air for the engine cooling system. They were handsome, streamlined vehicles with angled window pillars.

After serving for many years, many were converted to motor homes. (See Jim Hammond's story in the July 19th issue of Old Autos).

Flxible Clippers were a pleasure to drive. An unusual feature was the crank up and down window beside the driver's seat. The baggage compartment was located on the right side behind the rear wheels. I recall going back to retrieve a passengers luggage on a country home drop off in late winter and stepping in ice water ankle deep. I was wearing toe rubbers!

The Clipper was replaced by the Visicoach in 1950, followed by the Vistaliner. Flxible ended all intercity production in 1969, to enter the transit bus market.

Merrill S. Weekes, December 2004