This unique vehicle certainly caught my attention when I was doing a little research recently for an upcoming MCI post. The first thing that popped into my head was “where and when did the tornado happen?”
I’ve seen some UK double-decker buses with their roofs removed for use in the tour industry, but have never ran across one based on a North American model – until now. This is a 1982-87 MCI 9 coach that has been shorn of its roof by an aftermarket firm in eastern Pennsylvania that specializes in unique, one-off buses. It’s called a “Suncrusier” and is a single model built as a demonstrator that has since been sold to a tour operator. The company’s website said another one is currently under construction, if you’re interested.
The firm assures potential customers that additional reinforcement has been added to provide equivalent structural integrity, but one has to wonder how rigid a vehicle of this length could be without all the overhead roof rails binding it together.
It’s an interesting modification. I’m not usually a fan of taking hacksaws and Dremel tools to buses, but if it gives it a new lease on life versus being sent to the crusher, I guess I can’t complain. I do wonder though if sunscreen and ponchos come standard or are optional…
I’d imagine, if those side rails are made out of decent rec tube, it’s probably more rigid than when the roof was on it.
I’m certain that this was well engineered. Be a nice way to say, travel the Blue Ridge Parkway for instance, at the peak of fall color. Very eco friendly. Take 40 or so cars off the road. And what a view!
I’d like to think that there’s a second set of reinforcements running between wheelwells, especially if there’s no need for the underfloor storage compartments on a sightseeing tour loop.
The main structural strength on these buses is in the area just above the lower storage compartments and below the windows. That area, if one can see its inner structure, is like a bridge girder, with numerous vertical and angled structural pieces. So they have not impacted that. I suspect the roof is not so important for the basic structural requirement but more to provide some roll-over protection.
“Thank you for joining our tour today. On your left, you’ll see one of the city’s most lovely cathedrals, and on your right, a platoon of neighborhood children with Super Soakers. I suggest ducking.”
Looks like a single deck version of those sleazy tourist busses out of towners ride when they see the sights of New York ‘City’, and spend good money to eat at chain restaurants like ‘Bubba Gump Shrimp Company’ and the ‘Olive Garden’., and go do a Disneyfied version of Times Square.
I’m from eastern PA and this spot looks familiar – where were these pictures taken?
Their website doesn’t say Joe, but here it is if you’d like to check it out. Jim.
http://www.buses101.com/
Well that’s one way to clean nasty old bus seats
I’m sorry…this just goes in the
‘ARE YOU SERIOUS’ file ????? ;\
This bus was built in October 1987 for New Jersey Transit (PA5187) and later operated by Suburban Transit, which is still part of Coach USA. Its electronic destination sign is gone, replaced by a more conventional MC-9 cap. The VIN is 1M89CM7AXHP041602.
That website is run by a con man who went to prison for defrauding many people out of money for bus conversions. Every single thing that comes out of his mouth is a lie, so whatever you think about this “conversion”, I wouldn’t automatically believe that any structural modifications he may have described were actually completed. Google “Samuel Walker” for more info. They say he’s got a golden tongue, can convince you of anything in person, caveat emptor.