Gillig Phantom (school bus)
Encyclopedia
The school bus
version of the Gillig Phantom
, referred to as the Gillig Phantom School Bus, was introduced in 1986. Production ended after 1993, after none had been sold in 1991 or 1992.
This model was produced only in the 96" body width (standard for all school buses), and was available in 37 feet (78 passenger) and 40 feet (84 passenger) lengths. Three engines were available: the Caterpillar
3208 (until 1990), the Caterpillar 3116 (1991–1993), and the Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
.
Two transmissions were available: The Allison MT-643 and the Allison HT-740. Manual transmissions were also available in the early years of this bus, including the Spicer CM5252A and 6252B and Fuller T11605M 5-speeds and Fuller Roadranger RT6610 and RT11610 10-speeds; however, many school districts opted for the Allison automatic.
A kneeling device was an option, which was very rare for a school bus. Just like on the transit version, the kneeling device allowed the front of the bus to be lowered while the bus was loading or unloading passengers.
Much like its predecessor, the Transit Coach, the Phantom School Bus was marketed primarily for West Coast
operators. Although initially well-received, sales dropped off and production ceased in 1993 (no Phantom School Buses were sold in 1991 or 1992).
School bus
A school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...
version of the Gillig Phantom
Gillig Phantom
The Gillig Phantom was a transit bus produced by the Gillig Corporation in Hayward, California. The Phantom was first introduced in late 1980 and, with the exception of a small number of buses built in a three-year-long joint venture with Neoplan from 1977 to 1979, was Gillig's first transit bus...
, referred to as the Gillig Phantom School Bus, was introduced in 1986. Production ended after 1993, after none had been sold in 1991 or 1992.
This model was produced only in the 96" body width (standard for all school buses), and was available in 37 feet (78 passenger) and 40 feet (84 passenger) lengths. Three engines were available: the Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
3208 (until 1990), the Caterpillar 3116 (1991–1993), and the Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
Series 92
The Detroit Diesel Series 92 is a two-stroke cycle, V-block diesel engine, produced with versions ranging from four to 16 cylinders. Among these, the most popular were the 6V92 and 8V92, which were V6 and V8 configurations of the same engine respectively. The series was introduced in 1974...
.
Two transmissions were available: The Allison MT-643 and the Allison HT-740. Manual transmissions were also available in the early years of this bus, including the Spicer CM5252A and 6252B and Fuller T11605M 5-speeds and Fuller Roadranger RT6610 and RT11610 10-speeds; however, many school districts opted for the Allison automatic.
A kneeling device was an option, which was very rare for a school bus. Just like on the transit version, the kneeling device allowed the front of the bus to be lowered while the bus was loading or unloading passengers.
Modifications
The Phantom School Bus had these modifications over the transit version of the Phantom:- The left-side windshield glass was mounted vertically instead of being sloped inward.
- The (single) curb-side entry door was narrower in width since the stairwell did not need to accommodate a wheelchair lift.
- A rear exit window and left-side emergency exit door were added.
- Dual headlights were fitted instead of quad headlights. These were optional for the transit version.
- Red warning lamps were fitted (amber lamps fitted for Phantoms sold outside of California)
- Larger sideview mirrors were fitted along with cross-view mirrors to meet regulations for school buses.
Much like its predecessor, the Transit Coach, the Phantom School Bus was marketed primarily for West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
operators. Although initially well-received, sales dropped off and production ceased in 1993 (no Phantom School Buses were sold in 1991 or 1992).
Further reading
- Gillig Transit Coach / Pacific SchoolCoach Online Museum, gilligcoaches.net, Retrieved on 2006-12-25