Unusual buses.
A bus doesn't have to be a boring box on wheels. Around the world, there are plenty of fascinating and unusual models that deserve a place in a prestigious museum exhibit. Here's a look at some of the strangest creations ever built by engineers.
1. Citroën U55 Cityrama Currus
This futuristic French bus was built in 1950 for a tour operator. It was based on the Citroën U55 bus. The result was truly unusual.
2. Golden Dolphin Turin
During the 1950s, the world was captivated by ideas of space exploration. It's no surprise that so many vehicles from that era looked like spacecraft straight out of science fiction.
3. Pickwick Duplex Nite Coach
This unusual double-decker bus, designed to carry 53 passengers, was built in the United States during the 1930s. Only three examples were produced. Each one had its own name: Alsacia, Gladys, and Morpheus.
4. Kenworth
This bus is a remarkable piece of engineering. Its designers managed to combine enormous wheels with an incredibly low body. That's an impressive achievement. Why they chose this design remains an open question.
5. Kaiser
Few people know that Kaiser was the first company to attempt building an intercity solar-powered bus. It succeeded. Equipped with a 275-horsepower engine, the vehicle took to the road in 1946.
6. Santa Fe Trailways
This bus could carry as many as 117 passengers. That's an impressive capacity. However, what really makes it stand out is its highly unusual design. Just look at the driver's compartment.
7. Amphibious Bus
Think a bus can't float? It certainly can. Today, many amphibious buses are built, and they're used exclusively to transport tourists.
8. NAMI-0159
The Soviet Union lagged behind much of the rest of the world in bus development and production. Still, there were some unconventional attempts to create something different. Take this 1972 design, for example. The driver was supposed to sit on the second level, allowing the bus's passenger capacity to increase by nearly 30%.
9. Superbus
This is the fastest "bus" in the world. It can reach speeds of up to 155 mph and carries 23 passengers.