Was this a mobile restaurant? In any event it is a Motor Coach Industries (MCI) MC-9 model bus, produced 1978-1990.
Specifications:
Length: 40 ft (12.2 metres)Width: 8 ft (2.4 metres)
Overall Height: approximately 11 ft (3.4 metres)
Wheelbase: 285 in (7.24 metres)
Weight: 27,500 lb (12.474 tonnes)
Engine: Six cylinder DDC 6V-92TA two-cycle developing 277 hp at 2100 RPM
Engine: Eight cylinder DDC 8V-71 two-cycle diesel developing 280 hp at 2100 RPM
Transmission: Manual: Dana Model 8844A (four forward and one reverse)
Manual: Fuller T-11605D (five forward and one reverse)
Automatic: Allison HT740 (four forward and one reverse)
Automatic: Allison HT754 (five forward and one reverse)
Brakes: Service: Air operated two-shoe service brakes are installed at each axle.
Emergency: Air Bendix-Westinghouse DD-3 emergency and parking brakes drive axle
Clutch: Two plate dry disc type, 15" (45 cm) diameter, with air assist (Dana 4-speed and Fuller 5-speed trans)
Electrical: 24 volt negative ground. (Front headlights - dual seal beam - 12 volt lamps)
Air Conditioning: 6 cylinder compressor, belt driven by self adjusting belt drive off the main engine
Seats: 43, 47 or 49 passenger recliners with restroom
Parcel Racks: Inside parcel racks - 122 cu. ft.(3.4 cunic metres)
Luggage Compartment: Underfloor enclosed compartments - 300 cu. ft. (8.5 cubic metres)
Fuel Tank: 140 gallon (530 litres) capacity or 168.6 gallons (638 litres) with auxiliary
Suspension: air ride type, which operates automatically and maintains a constant ride height
Steering: hydraulic - power steering is standard
No, this was not a mobile restaurant, but part of a fleet of nineteen cunstomized motorcoaches in the US, Canada, and one in Germany. They were owned by the founder of McDonald's, Ray Kroc, and leased to the Corporation for $1 each, per year. The Corporation provided management, operation and maintenance.
ReplyDeleteThe first unit was purchased in Chicago, a new 1973 MC7 shell ccustomized by Custom Coach, Columbus, OH, and a copy of Augustus Busch's coach, of St. Louis beer fame. Seating 18, in two sections, it was the only coach in the fleet with a mid-galley; all others had rear galleys. Many later units were customized/refreshed by Executive Coach, of Fox Lake, IL. All units were purchassed new.
The "Big Mac Bus" program soon developed as the demand grew throughout the country. Eventually, each region had their own bus and a "transportation specialist" tasked with maintenance, scheduling and public realtions. Most of their use benefited outside agencies including, senior citizens, the handicapped and fund raising effors, particularly muscular distrophy. On occassion, they were used for corporate events.They were rarely used for Ronald McDonald appearances.
In 1980, a minor stockholder made an issue of the costing if this fleet and, as a result, the coaches were eventually liquidated. Some are still in existance in 2013, with different livery. although it is hard to disguise their original design.
OMG,
ReplyDeleteMy Dad use to be a chauffeur for McDonalds. He would drive the Big Mac bus on the weekends out of Toronto.
It was awesome. Like you said it was used for corporate events,senior's outings,girl guilds and scouts.He would take them to the African Lion Safari,
Niagara Falls all kinds of places. Sometimes he would invite my bother and I along for the trip.
It was truly a beautiful bus.It was kept immaculate,he would spend hours cleaning after a trip so that it was kept up to McDonalds five star rating.
You forgot to mention that it had a fully stocked bar. Had the a Mobile phone, a fuzz buster(radar detector).And not to mention the first Atari pong game.
I was once lucky enough to come along and pick-up Henry Winkler aka The FONZ
at the airport and take him and some reporters to a big hotel in downtown Torono.
I used to be the Transportation specialist out of Montreal and operated the Big Mac Bus for 6 years until sadly I drove her to Columbus Ohio in 1980 for her final trip. I had the pleasure of hosting many celebrities such as Peter Ustinov for 3 days in Toronto while he made his commercials for UNICEF and also Victor Borge for a Variety Club convention out of the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. I also was fortunate enough to host Ray Kroc in Montreal at the Ritz Carleton Hotel for a directors meeting and againn in Toronto for the first Blue Jays game along with the Family owners of the Kansas City Royals. Ray owned the San Diago Padres at that time. Like Barry Williams in Toronto I hosted many senior groups for day trips out of Montreal and took them to the Science Center in Ottawa with a complimentary lunch at the nearby Mc Donalds. George Cohon was the Canadian President and was extremely kind to the operation of the Big Mac Bus and he valued its very being. I could write a book about the many great times and great places in Eastern Canada and events I participated in. It was a sad day when She made her last trip to Columbus Ohio.
ReplyDeleteWayne Gass ( Transportaton Specialist) says an add on to my previous comments regarding bringing the Big Mac Bus to Columbus Ohio.
ReplyDeleteI arrived at Custom Coach and was met by the GM who guided me into the large garage area into a slip, much like a yacht in a marina. I parked next to a MC7 much like the Big Mac on the outside only as I found out it was very special on the inside. Some fellas came over to me and invited me to see their bus which I at first declined having seen so many others in my six years behind the wheel. The GM said I should go and take a look because it was Elvis Presley's private bus. Elvis had passed away 3 years previously however his back up group were still touring around the US. Not too many people can say they saw the inside of Elvis's private motor coach.
Ha ha! I thought I had dreamt this but it was real. We took one Marineland when I was in primary school. What an amazing experience!! Thanks for posting this info.
ReplyDelete