Freightliner Custom Chassis FS-65

From CPTDB Wiki
(Redirected from Freightliner FS-65)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Freightliner FS-65
FS-65 with Thomas body.
FS-65 with Corbeil body.
Years of manufacture 1996 to 2006
Length
Width 96 inches

The Freightliner Custom Chassis FS-65 is a type-C school bus chassis. It was launched in May 1996 and was developed in co-operation with Thomas Built Buses. Along with the Thomas body, the FS-65 boasted a larger windshield, a raised driver's platform, and a sloping hood, all leading to better visibility. Production was expected to begin in mid-1996.[1] The first bus was completed and delivered to John T. Cyr & Sons in January 1997.[2]

When launched, the FS-65 chassis was also available to other body manufacturers, including Blue Bird, Capenter, and Corbeil. By the end of 2002, Blue Bird had designed their own type-C chassis, Carpenter had ceased operation, and Corbeil focused solely on producing type-A buses. At this time, Thomas, which had become a subsidiary of Freightliner in 1998[3], produced their type-C buses exclusively on the FS-65 chassis. The complete product was known as the Thomas FS-65 and was built until the end of 2006.

Specifications

Operators

Canada

United States

References

  1. Freightliner enters school bus market. 15 May 1996. Press release. Freightliner Corporation.
  2. First Freightliner school bus completed and delivered to largest contractor in Maine. 09 January 1997. Press release. Freightliner Corporation.
  3. Press release. 06 October 1998.