The Blue Bird All American is a bus manufactured by American bus manufacturer Blue Bird Corporation (originally Blue Bird Body Company) since 1948 in six different generations. Although originally developed as a school bus (most common configuration), All American has been marketed for a number of applications throughout its production, including the fancy motorcycle rider Blue Bird Wanderlodge.
Although not the first example of public transport school buses, Blue Bird All American is the longest production version currently produced. During the mid-20th century, All American will popularize the configuration among other manufacturers. The bus is currently manufactured in front of the engine and the rear engine layout.
The current version of All American was inaugurated in 2012, entering production for 2014. The bus underwent major renewals for 1952, 1957 (with improvements to 1962 and 1977), 1989, 1999, and 2008.
Video Blue Bird All American
Development
In the 1930s, to expand the seating capacity of students in school buses, the producers developed an "advanced control bus" school. By modifying the conventional truck chassis, the engine is placed next to the driver and the front axle moves backwards from the entrance. This allows the use of greater capacity in the same overall length and better visibility in the future; the shorter wheelbase gives them better maneuverability. In 1932, Crown Coach introduced Supercoach alongside similar designs by Wayne Works; Gillig introduced the design with the engine mounted on the back. In 1937, Crown Supercoach expanded to a capacity of 79 passengers, becoming one of the largest school buses of its time.
In the years after World War II, the founder of the Blue Bird company, A.L. Luce, trying to develop his own control bus. In 1948, during a trip to Europe, he and his son George visited the Paris Auto Salon. One of the vehicles on display is a front-engine machine (either Van Hool or Jonckheere bodywork) with a General Motors chassis built at the Opel plant in Belgium. Inspired by design, A.L. Luce attempted to develop usage for the chassis as a school bus; However, Luces knows that it is a special model for the export market.
In an effort to reverse engineer, A.L. Luce bought the Paris Auto trainer from a body manufacturer to ship it to Blue Bird in Fort Valley, Georgia. Moving past bodywork, Blue Bird engineers discovered that the Opel chassis shares many similarities with a Chevrolet heavy-duty truck that is converted to front-control; the front axle is expanded and modifications are made on the steering wheel. In a unique feature, the transmission is diverted by the remote control.
Due to its similarity to the Opel design, Blue Bird chose Chevrolet as the initial chassis for prototype controls ahead. The first prototype, named Blue Bird All American, was completed in 1949. Covered by engineering problems, the All American did not enter full production until 1950.
Maps Blue Bird All American
First generation (1950-1956)
For the years 1950 and 1951, All American saw a relatively small market success. The main factor that slows production and sales is its assembly method. While sharing the same chassis next to Blue Bird using a Chevrolet/GMC cowled chassis, the All American frame must be emptied and converted into a forward control layout before the body is installed. As time increases for final assembly, this process also means that almost every chassis component should be re-examined for functionality.
To improve quality and reduce production time, Blue Bird ended the use of second-party chassis in 1952 to support the company's designed and manufactured. Leaving the use of engines and powertrains from various suppliers, Blue Bird also redesigned the All American body for the first time. With a new body, the roof extended further ahead, expanding the entrance and entrance; this also allows for a much larger windshield. In the redesign of the chassis, Blue Bird expands the overall All American capacity, with multiple versions able to accommodate up to 72 passengers. Second generation (1957-1989)
For 1957, along with Conventional, the All American body was given a redesigned ground-up. Less round than its predecessor, All American is distinguished by its flat side and higher roof; the latter performed as part of an effort to allow older students and adult passengers to walk along the standing bus. In an effort to improve future visibility, the windshield is made panoramic; two flat glass panels replaced by a configuration that wraps from the entrance to the driver's window. In addition, the entrance glass is enlarged to remove blind spots. In 1958, after federal law permitted its use on road vehicles, quad headlights were added to the All American.
Over the next 31 years, Blue Bird will only make gradual changes to the All American. In 1961, the All American model line was doubled in size as a forward-control configuration coupled with a rear engine "push" configuration. It is available in diesel pusher or gas pusher configuration. Developed largely to secure bids in areas where rear-engined buses are favored, Blue Bird contracts out chassis for All American Rear Engine to GMC. For 1962, the All American windshield magnified further. Two configurations are offered: 4-pane (standard) flat glass version or 2-pane curved glass (optional). For 1967, the roof over the windshield was redesigned. To better accommodate the 8 lamp warning system that was in use, the curved roof cover seen since the 1930s was replaced with a vertically oriented flat unit. For 1968, the bodywork under the windshield was updated, leading to a new grille, vertically stacked headlamps, and a reduction of the number of chrome trims on the front of the body.
During the 1970s, All American noticed some external changes, but more changes were made under the skin of the bus. To comply with federal regulations, Blue Bird strengthened the skin and bus structure for safety regulations in 1977, which also saw the addition of a high-lean passenger seat. In addition, for 1977, Blue Bird replaced the rear roof cover to match its partners up front (borrow bodywork from Wanderlodge). Unlike the first All Americans, available on a maximum of 60 student passengers, the largest version of All American can now be equipped to accommodate 90 student passengers.
Like the previous decade, the 1980s there was little change in the All American. After the discontinuation of the Ford Super Duty V8 in 1981, the All American only had a Chevrolet V8 427 cubic inches as the petrol engine offered. Concerns over fuel economy after the fuel crisis of the 1970s have led to the widespread adoption of diesel-powered powertrains in high-capacity school buses. In response, in 1980, All American was produced with diesel engines from Cummins, Caterpillar, and Detroit Diesel. In 1982, after being available as an option for several years, the drop-sash window on the back row seats became standard, replacing a fixed piece of glass. In 1988, Blue Bird began production of the All American Rear Engine chassis for the first time.
Epilog design
With the exception of the All American and EC-72 D3-Series prototypes, all the large Blue Bird school buses produced since 1957 have gained much of their work from this All American generation. While using light duty chassis and different interior designs, TC/2000 also comes from this All American generation. In various sizes, Blue Bird has maintained the same windshield design introduced at All American in 1962 on the latest version of Vision; it remains at All American into 2014.
With a Blue Bird-producing chassis for both versions of All American, it marks the transition to producing chassis for all of its vehicles; with the exception of the Micro Bird, all Blue Bird vehicles are manufactured on the chassis designed by the company.
Third generation (1989-1998)
As the change goes through the 1989 model, the Blue Bird All American is given an extensive redesign, marking the first major change in 32 years. Distinguished by horizontally aligned headlights (first seen since 1967), All American is given a number of changes to improve user friendliness for both the driver and the mechanics. In another change, All American features an all-new line of engines and transmissions.
To lower its production costs, the All American shares most of its body with its predecessor, although the driver's compartment is completely redesigned, with only windshield and driver's window being carried. To improve the interior access, the engine cover on the Advanced Machine version was redesigned to take up less space (since All American uses a machine larger than TC/2000, it remains much larger). To improve the driver's eyesight, the entrance is redesigned with a larger glass panel (the feature is then adopted by all Blue Bird buses). In the interior, the instrument panel is redesigned with modern gauges; Secondary control panel adopted from TC/2000.
To improve serviceability, Blue Bird makes a number of front body panels can be removed without using tools for general maintenance.
In big changes, the new generation All American dropped the manual transmission and gasoline engine from the powertrain line (both available in TC/2000). Since the Caterpillar 3208 and Detroit Diesel 8.2L V8 engines were discontinued during the introduction of the new All American, Blue Bird offers Cummins C8.3, Cummins B5.9, Caterpillar 3116 and Caterpillar 3126 as a new line of diesel engines. In 1991, Blue Bird became the first manufacturer to produce school buses triggered by a compressed natural gas powertrain (CNG) while introducing options on the All Americans rear engine. During the late 1990s, All American will be offered with CNG engines manufactured by John Deere.
To bring it in line with TC/2000, Blue Bird rebranded a new generation of All American export names to Blue Bird TC/3000 . Previously, Canadian exports (the largest market outside the United States) were re-branded as Blue Bird All Canadians . Like the previous generation, the All American of 1989 will change little during the production process. The 1989-1991 model is distinguished by the letter "Blue Bird" which is placed widely under the windshield while the 1992-1998 model is identified by narrow letters.
In 1999, Blue Bird introduced the fourth generation All American, which was internally designated as "A3". While externally similar to its predecessor and TC/2000, the A3 Series represents a major structural redesign for All American. Both front and rear-engine versions, All American adopts a "drop-frame" chassis configuration; the frame rim section that sustains the powertrain is lowered in height. Compared to its predecessor (in the front engine model), the engine housing intrusion into the driver compartment is significantly reduced.
To further enhance visibility ahead, All American is given a windshield larger than TC/2000, which requires a smaller grille. The A3-Series version is distinguished by the displacement of the Blue Bird letters from between the turn signal between the main lights. For the driver compartment, Blue Bird completely redesigns the dashboard and control panel (adds a larger gauge).
Throughout its production, the A3-Series All American will only experience a slight significant change. However, its introduction marks the beginning of significant changes in the Blue Bird model line; A3 rear engine was used as a replacement for the TC/2000 rear engine. In 2001, TC/1000 was discontinued, with all TC/2000 and CS production ending in 2003. Originally planned for termination due to D3 series debuting, sustained customer orders for the A3 series enabling the company to keep the model into the joint production of the D3 series into 2014. Because D3 is discontinued in 2013, the A3 is produced longer than desired.
Together with the traditional role of yellow school buses, Blue Bird produces A3 All American orders for the US General Administration Service for government fleets as well as for export worldwide.
D3 Series (2010-2013)
The new generation of 2010 All American, known under the code name "D3", was unveiled at an industry trade show in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on October 28, 2008. The exterior features the most extensive changes to the Blue Bird school bus body design in nearly 50 years.
An important feature of the D3 series is the headlamps: All American 2010 is the first version since the 1950s to have dual headlamps instead of quad headlights and this is the first All American lamp to have headlights since 1988. Inside, the driver compartment is fully redesigned for better visibility and ergonomics. Other changes are meant to make D3 more passenger-friendly; D3 roof has square corners to increase headroom while standing and flat floor is available as an option in the front engine model. Both of these designs are influenced by TC/1000 from 1997-2001.
In production for only 4 years, the D3 series was replaced with its predecessor A3 with the introduction of the 2014 T3 generation.
Series T3 (2014-Now)
In October 2012, the sixth generation 2014 All American debuted, as a double successor to the D3 series that was produced simultaneously with its A3FE predecessor in production since 1999. Although safety is emphasized by redesign, with vehicles that have stronger body structures. and roof lines, other strong emphasis is being made in lowering production and service costs by increasing the similarity of spare parts with other Blue Bird products (Vision and previous generations of All American).
Visually, while T3 seems to be a hybrid of A3 and D3 (apart from the new grille), there is a wider change. While the all-new rounded roofline is produced from reinforced body structures, and the windows mechanism is redesigned. Inside, the redesigned dashboard of D3 (now shared with Vision) is carried over.
Previously only available as a compressed natural gas engine (CNG), the Cummins ISL 8.9 became available in a rear engine version in the form of diesel, mostly to replace Cummins ISC 8.3.
The electric version of the All American RE bus was introduced and will begin production for 2019.
Powertrain History
Engine
- Gasoline
- Chevrolet 427 cuÃ, in (7.0Ã, L) Mark IV V8 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
- Cummins ISL-G
- John Deere 6.8L
- John Deere 8.1L
- Diesel
- Caterpillar 3208
- Caterpillar 3116
- Caterpillar 3126
- Caterpillar C7
- Cummins VT555 "Triple Nickel" V8
- Cummins B5.9/ISB
- Cummins C8.3/ISC
- Cummins L8.9/ISL
- Detroit Diesel 8.2L "Pincher Fuel" V8
- Automatic
- Allison AT545
- Allison MT643
- Allison 2000 Series
- Allison World/MD3060
- Allison B300
- Allison PTS 2500
- Allison PTS 3000
- Sales Exports
- Central American Production
- IC Bus
- IC Bus FE
- IC Bus RE
- Thomas Build Buses
- Thomas Saf-T-Liner EF
- Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX
- Thomas Saf-T-Liner EFX
- AmTran/Ward
- AmTran Genesis
- RE AmTran
- The President of the Environment
- Environmental Senator
- Carpenter/Crown by Carpenter
- Carpenter Cavalier
- Carpenter Chancellor
- Trainers of the RE Woodworkers
- Carpenter Corsair
- Woodworker Advisor FE/RE (Crown FE/RE)
- Crown Coach Corporaration
- Crown of Supercoach
- Supercoach Crown Series II
- Gillig Brothers/Gillig Corporation
- Transit Trainer Gillig
- Gillig Phantom
- New Bus, Inc.
- New Chickasha FE Bus
- The Superior Coach Company
- Superior SuperCruiser FE/RE
- Thomas Build Buses
- Thomas All Star EF
- Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP EF/ER
- Thomas Saf-T-Liner ER/WestCoastER
- Wayne Corporation/Wayne Wheeled Vehicles
- Wayne Rear Engine
- Wayne Lifestar
- Blue Bird Wanderlodge - a luxury motor based on All American from the early 1960s to early 1990s
- Blue Bird TC/2000 - Other Blue Bird Type D Type (1988-2003).
- List of buses
Transmission
Export market
Blue Bird has a history of exporting All American to overseas markets. Outside the United States, the name was changed. When it was first marketed to Canada, All American was re-branded as Blue Bird All Canadian . After Blue Bird started production of TC/2000 in the 1980s, All Canada was renamed Blue Bird TC/3000 , which also became its name in markets outside North America. When All American was redesigned for the 2010 model year, the name of all export versions was changed to Blue Bird TX3 .
When Blue Bird has a manufacturing facility located in Guatemala ( Blue Bird Central America ), the All American body is produced. The All Americans produced in Central America differ from the United States because they use locally available truck chassis (Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Hino) rather than Blue Bird chassis at home. These buses are used for student transportation and mass transportation. Blue Bird ended bus production in Guatemala in the early 1980s.
Variant
Blue Bird CS
Blue Bird CS (Commercial Series) is a commercial transit bus originating from the All American product line. During their running production, TC/2000 and TC/1000 also have their own CS derivatives. Due to its high similarity to the school bus line, CS is the only Blue Bird commercial bus product still producing in its focus on school buses. Currently, Blue Bird has not designed the variant of the D3 All American transit bus.
Wanderlodge
All American bus body and bus chassis serves as a platform for Blue Bird Wanderlodge, a luxury motorcycle. The All American body was used from the start of production in 1963 to 1990, when Blue Bird switched from the All American platform to a wide-width 102-inch (2.6 m) wide motor platform, 6 inches wider than the school bus body.
Comparable products
Contemporary
Historic
See also
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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