Blue Bird All American
| Blue Bird All American | |
|---|---|
Blue Bird All American Forward Engine (2009 model)
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Blue Bird Body Company (1948-1992) Blue Bird Corporation (1992-present) |
| Production | 1948-present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Doors | Single door Two door (export) |
| Floor type | High floor |
| Chassis |
Forward Engine: Blue Bird (1952-present) Rear Engine: Various (to 1988) Blue Bird (1988-present) |
| Related | Blue Bird Wanderlodge |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
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| Capacity | 54-90 (school bus) |
| Second Generation | |
|---|---|
Early 1980s All American Rear Engine
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Blue Bird Body Company |
| Production | 1957-1988 |
| Assembly | Fort Valley, Georgia |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | front-engine 4x2 rear-engine 4x2 |
| Related | Blue Bird Wanderlodge |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
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| Transmission |
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| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Blue Bird All American (1952-1956) |
| Successor | Blue Bird All American (1989-1998) |
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
1989-1991 All American Forward Engine (retired, photo from Costa Rica)
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| Overview | |
| Also called | Blue Bird TC/3000 (export) Blue Bird CS |
| Production | 1989-1998 |
| Assembly | Fort Valley, Georgia |
| Layout | front-engine 4x2 rear-engine 4x2 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Diesel Compressed Natural Gas |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Blue Bird All American (1957-1988) |
| Successor | Blue Bird All American "A3" |
| Fourth generation (A3 Series) | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Overview | |
| Also called | Blue Bird TC/3000 (export) Blue Bird CS |
| Production | 1999-2014 |
| Assembly | Fort Valley, Georgia |
| Layout | front-engine 4x2 rear-engine 4x2 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Diesel Compressed Natural Gas |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Blue Bird All American (1989-1998) Blue Bird TC/2000 |
| Successor | Blue Bird All American "D3" |
| Fifth generation (D3 Series) | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Overview | |
| Also called | Blue Bird TX3 (export) |
| Production | 2008-2012 |
| Model years | 2010-2013 |
| Assembly | Fort Valley, Georgia |
| Layout | front-engine 4x2 rear-engine 4x2 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Diesel Compressed Natural Gas |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Blue Bird All American "A3" Blue Bird TC/2000 |
| Successor | Blue Bird All American "T3" |
| Sixth generation (T3 Series) | |
|---|---|
Blue Bird All American T3FE activity buses
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| Overview | |
| Production | 2012-present |
| Model years | 2014-present |
| Assembly | Fort Valley, Georgia |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Diesel Compressed Natural Gas |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Blue Bird All American "D3" Blue Bird All American "A3" |
The Blue Bird All American is an American school bus produced by the Blue Bird Corporation (originally Blue Bird Body Company). Introduced in 1948, the All American is the longest-produced transit-style (Type D) school bus by an American manufacturer. While not the first to use the transit-style design, the All American popularized it through most of the United States during the mid-20th century. It is produced in both a front engine-version and a rear-engine version.
In October 2012, Blue Bird revealed the sixth and current version of the All American, which entered production as a 2014 model. Previous major updates were introduced in 1952, 1957 (with upgrades in 1962 and 1977), 1989, 1999, and 2008.
In the 1930s, to expand student seating capacity in school buses, manufacturers developed "forward control" school buses. By modifying conventional truck chassis, the engine was placed next to the driver and the front axle moved rearward of the entrance door. This allowed for the use of greater capacity within the same overall length and better forward visibility; the shorter wheelbase gave them improved maneuverability. In 1932, Crown Coach introduced the Supercoach alongside a similar design by Wayne Works; Gillig introduced a design with a rear-mounted engine. In 1937, the Crown Supercoach was expanded to a capacity of 79 passengers, becoming one of the largest school buses of its time.
In the years following World War II, Blue Bird company founder A.L. Luce sought to develop his own forward 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 was a front-engine motorcoach (either Van Hool or Jonckheere bodywork) with a General Motors chassis built in an Opel factory in Belgium. Inspired by the design, A.L. Luce sought to develop uses for the chassis as a school bus; however, the Luces learned that it was a model specifically for export markets.
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Wikipedia