As a lifelong Muni-obsessive, Alex Key, 22, has ridden on every line and every vehicle, from the cable car to the boat car. But before this weekend he’d never had the chance to ride the gas-powered, twin engine, 1947 bus that was intended to replace the cable car on the Powell Street line.
That bus, last survivor of a fleet of 10, had not roared its engines on the streets of San Francisco for 72 years before it was finally running and ready to take its place as an attraction at Muni Heritage Weekend. Key, who is studying transportation at City College, came from his home in the Outer Sunset to take its renaissance ride Saturday and was so moved by the historic experience that he came back to ride it again Sunday.
“It’s beautifully restored, and getting to ride on it is amazing,” said Key, who sat up front so he could watch the driver crank that big steering wheel, without the benefit of power steering. “And that smell of gasoline. You can feel the vibration under your feet.”…