For fans of classic television, the Partridge Family Bus is as iconic as the show itself. This brightly painted 1957 Chevrolet Series 6800 Superior bus ferried the musically inclined family across the country for four seasons, becoming a symbol of 1970s pop culture. Like many beloved relics of the past, the fate of the Partridge Family bus has been shrouded in rumors and speculation. Whispers of sightings from Northern California backyards to New York junkyards have fueled the mystery, with numerous buses claiming to be the original surfacing over the years. But for those dreaming of finding this piece of television history, the true story of the Partridge Family bus might be more bittersweet than harmonious.
The Partridge Family cast, including David Cassidy and Shirley Jones, posing in front of their iconic 1957 Chevrolet Series 6800 Superior bus from the 1970s TV show.
From School Bus to TV Star
The Partridge Family bus began its journey as a humble school bus in the Orange County School District. Screen Gems, the production company behind “The Partridge Family,” acquired the vehicle for a reported $500, transforming it into the psychedelic vehicle viewers came to adore. Despite eagle-eyed fans noticing slight interior discrepancies throughout the series, producers insisted that only one bus was used for filming. Adding to the bus’s authenticity, Shirley Jones, who played the matriarch Shirley Partridge, actually drove the bus on screen. In a 2005 interview, Jones revealed she had to learn to drive a stick shift specifically for the role, further cementing her connection to the iconic vehicle.
A publicity still of the Partridge Family actors: Jeremy Gelbwaks, Shirley Jones, Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough, David Cassidy, and Susan Dey, highlighting the stars of the popular musical sitcom.
The Disappearance and Rumored Sightings
When “The Partridge Family” concluded in 1974, the bus’s story took a turn into obscurity. Even Shirley Jones herself admitted uncertainty about its whereabouts, stating, “Where the original one is, I’m still not sure.” The most widely accepted theory suggests the bus was repainted white and repurposed for another television series, the 1974 drama “Apple’s Way.” Adding to the mystery, a bus resembling the Partridge Family vehicle appeared in the background of a 1982 episode of “CHiPs,” titled “In the Best of Families,” sparking further debate about its identity. For a time, a bus rumored to be the Partridge Family bus was a local fixture behind Lucy’s Tacos, a Los Angeles restaurant in the early 1980s, though this claim also remains contested.
The Likely Fate of the Original Bus
Despite the lingering rumors and hopeful sightings, the consensus regarding the original Partridge Family bus is less than cheerful. According to a 2011 report in TIME magazine, the bus was unfortunately sent to a California scrap yard in 1987. While some grainy photos from a scrap yard have surfaced, potentially showing the heavily damaged remains of the bus, definitive proof remains elusive. This disheartening end mirrors the fate of the Partridge Family house itself, a set on a backlot that was demolished in 2023. Sadly, fans seeking to make a pilgrimage to these iconic locations from the show are out of luck.
Keeping the Dream Alive: Replica Buses and Party Fun
While the original Partridge Family bus may be lost to time, fans can still find ways to connect with this piece of television history. Numerous replica buses are known to exist across the United States. Some of these replicas were created to promote the original show, others for Nick at Nite promotions, and one even appeared in the 1999 TV movie, “Come On, Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story.”
For those seeking a truly immersive experience, the Partridge Family Party Bus in the Milwaukee area offers event transportation in a replica bus. While this modern version understandably features updates like a Facebook web address on the side, it provides a fun and nostalgic way to celebrate events and capture the spirit of the Partridge Family. So, while finding the actual bus may be impossible, the legacy of the Partridge Family bus lives on, offering fans a tangible link to the groovy era of 1970s television.
