Gillig Phantom School Bus
Phantom School Bus (single-headlight, 37') | |
Years of manufacture | 1985 to 1993 |
Length | 37 or 40 feet |
Width | 96 inches |
Phantom School Bus Rear |
The Gillig Phantom School Bus was a school bus available in the United States and built in Hayward, California. It was produced from 1985 to 1993 and was especially popular with west coast school districts.
History
In 1985, Gillig re-entered the school bus manufacturing industry after ceasing production of the long running Gillig Transit Coach School Bus in 1982. A prototype was built in 1985, but it did not comply to school bus regulations for the time. Afterward, production of the Phantom School Bus officially started in 1986. It was initially received well and was marketed mainly toward Californian school districts, however some units were sold out of state, with some examples being in Hawaii, Washington and Wyoming. By 1989, sales of the Phantom School Bus began to drop.
The Phantom School Bus remained in production until November 1993, with the final units being built for Tahoe‐Truckee Joint Unified School District. This marked the end of Gillig being a school bus manufacturer. Less than 500 units were produced in total.
Design
The Phantom School Bus design was based off of the Phantom transit bus. It was initially launched in a 37 foot length with a 78 passenger seating capacity and was soon made available in a 40 foot length with 84 and 87 passenger seating capacities. Due to school bus regulations of the time, 96 inch width was the only available width option.
The Phantom School Bus had a diesel-powered drivetrain in a T-drive layout at the rear, similar to the Phantom transit bus. Detroit Diesel powered units featured an exhaust pipe protruding from the left of the rear bumper, while Caterpillar powered units featured an exhaust pipe protruding from the right of the rear bumper.
The Phantom School Bus received minor design changes over the course of production. HVAC was an option, but was only ordered by a few districts/agencies. The majority of Phantom School Buses were built with round single headlights (a.k.a "duals"), but some school districts ordered units with rectangular dual headlights, (a.k.a "quads"). Most units were delivered with rectangular tail lights, but over time some districts/agencies retrofitted their buses with circular LED tail lights. Gillig's "half octagon" rubber wheel fenders, a defining characteristic was introduced on the Phantom transit bus was also used with the Phantom School Bus. A rear end design change occurred in 1987-1988 when the placement of the rear window was moved slightly and the red school bus crossing lights were moved further apart. The steering column design changed in 1988. The front door design of the bus changed in 1990. Due to new school bus regulations in 1993, all 1993 models featured yellow school bus crossing lights along with red lights.
Photo Gallery
Specifications
Dimensions | ||
---|---|---|
Length: 37' or 40' | ||
Width: 96" | ||
Height: ?" | ||
Wheelbase: ?" (37') or ?" (40') | ||
Engine | Availability | |
Caterpillar 3208T(A) | 1985-1991 | |
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | 1986-1993 | |
Transmission | Availability | |
Allison HT-747 | 1986-1993 | |
Allison MT-643 | 1985-1993 | |
Allison MT-644 | 1986-1993 | |
Allison MT(B)-647 (Standard) | 1986-1993 | |
Allison MT-654(CR) | 1986-1993 | |
Fuller T11605 (5-speed manual) | 1986-? | |
Fuller RT6610 (10-speed manual) | 1986-? | |
Fuller RT11610 (10-speed manual) | 1986-? | |
Axles | ||
? | ||
Brakes | ||
? | ||
HVAC | ||
? |
Model & VIN Breakdown
Standard Model Breakdown
Model | Engine | Length | Passenger Capacity | Seating Rows |
---|---|---|---|---|
3208T-13 | Caterpillar 3208T | 37 feet | 78 | 13 |
3208T-14 | Caterpillar 3208T | 40 feet | 84 | 14 |
3208T-15, 3208TA-15 | Caterpillar 3208T(A) | 40 feet | 87 | 15 |
6V92-13, 6V92T-13, 6V92TA-13 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | 37 feet, 40 feet | 78, 84 | 13, 14? |
6V92-14, 6V92T-14, 6V92TA-14 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | 40 feet | 84 | 14 |
6V92T-15, 6V92TA-15 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | 40 feet | 87 | 15 |
Non-Standard Model Breakdown
Model | Engine | Length | Passenger Capacity | Seating Rows |
---|---|---|---|---|
3208T, 537/963208T | Caterpillar 3208T | 37 feet | 78 | 13 |
VIN Code Breakdown
Code | Description |
---|---|
15G | Gillig (WMI) |
A B |
School Bus Utility Bus |
C D |
37 feet 40 feet |
02 03 04 08 09 |
CAT 3208T 210 hp CAT 3208T 225 hp CAT 3208T(A) 225-250 hp Detroit Diesel 6V92TA 260 hp Detroit Diesel 6V92TA 250 hp, 277 hp |
1 | Air Brakes |
* | Check Digit |
G H J K L M N P |
1986 Model 1987 Model 1988 Model 1989 Model 1990 Model 1991 Model 1992 Model 1993 Model |
1 | Hayward Manufacturing Plant |
030xxx | School/Utility Bus Serial Number |
Operators
Original School District Operators
- Amador County Unified School District (CA)
- Amador-Pleasanton Unified School District (CA)
- Antelope Valley Schools Transportation Agency - Lancaster, CA
- Antioch Unified School District (CA)
- Bishop Unified School District (CA)
- Black Oak Mine Unified School District - Georgetown, CA
- Buckeye Union School District - El Dorado Hills, CA
- Burton School District - Porterville, CA
- Cajon Valley Union School District - El Cajon, CA
- Castro Valley Unified School District (CA)
- Ceres Unified School District (CA)
- Chico Unified School District (CA)
- Chino Valley Unified School District (CA)
- Claremont Unified School District (CA)
- Cottonwood Union Elementary School District (CA)
- Cutler-Orosi Unified School District - Orosi, CA
- Eastside Union Elementary School District - East Lancaster, CA
- Enterprise Elementary School District - Redding, CA
- Fall River Joint Unified School District - Burney, CA & McArthur, CA
- Fortuna Union High School District (CA)
- Fremont Unified School District (CA)
- Gilroy Unified School District (CA)
- Gold Trail Union School District - Placerville , CA
- Golden Valley Unified School District - Madera, CA
- Gridley Unified School District (CA)
- Hanford Elementary School District (CA)
- Hayward Unified School District (CA)
- Huntington Beach Union High School District (CA)
- Irwindale Unified School District (CA)
- Kamehameha Schools ~ Kapalama Campus - Honolulu, HI
- Kelseyville Unified School District (CA)
- King City Joint Union High School District (CA)
- Kings Canyon Unified School District - Reedley, CA
- Kit Carson Union Elementary School District - Hanford, CA
- Liberty Union High School District - Brentwood, CA
- Los Angeles Unified School District (CA)
- Marysville Joint Unified School District (CA)
- Modesto City School District (CA)
- Modoc Joint Unified School District - Alturas, CA
- Monson-Sultana Joint Union Elementary School District - Sultana, CA
- Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (CA)
- New Haven Unified School District - Union City, CA
- Northern Humboldt Unified School District - McKinleyville, CA
- Oak View Union School District - Acampo, CA
- Orange Unified School District (CA)
- Palmdale School District (CA)
- Paradise Unified School District (CA)
- Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (CA)
- Petaluma High School District (CA)
- Pierce Joint Unified School District - Arbuckle, CA
- Pioneer Union Elementary School District - Hanford, CA
- Porterville Unified School District (CA)
- Red Bluff Joint Union High School District (CA)
- Rialto Unified School District (CA)
- Rincon Valley Union School District - Santa Rosa, CA
- Riverbank Unified School District (CA)
- San Diego Unified School District (CA)
- San Dieguito Transportation System - Encinitas, CA
- San Dieguito Unified School District - Encinitas, CA
- San Leandro Unified School District (CA)
- San Lorenzo Unified School District (CA)
- San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District - Ben Lomond, CA
- San Luis Coastal Unified School District - San Luis Obispo, CA
- Selma Unified School District (CA)
- Shasta Union High School District - Redding, CA
- Siskiyou Union High School District ~ Mount Shasta High School - Mount Shasta, CA
- Sublette County School District (WY)
- Sutter Union High School District (CA)
- Tahoe‐Truckee Joint Unified School District - Truckee, CA
- Tehachapi Unified School District (CA)
- Temecula Unified School District (CA)
- Travis Unified School District - Fairfield, CA
- Tulare City School District - Tulare, CA
- Tulare Joint Union High School District (CA)
- Vacaville Unified School District (CA)
- Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District - Valley Center, CA
- Visalia Unified School District (CA)
- Yuba City Unified School District (CA)
- Walnut Valley Unified School District - Walnut, CA
- ? - WA
Second Hand School District Operators
- Alhambra Unified School District (mobile classroom) (CA)
- American Unified School District - ?, CA
- California Crosspoint Academy ~ Chinese Christian Schools - Hayward, CA
- Central Unified School District - Fresno County, CA
- Colusa Unified School District (CA)
- Escalon Unified School District (CA)
- Forest Lake Christian School - Auburn, CA
- Mendocino Unified School District - Fort Bragg, CA
- Moreau Catholic High School - Hayward, CA
- Redwood Christian Schools - San Leandro, CA
- Southwest Transportation Agency - Caruthers, CA
- Stockton Unified School District - Stockton, CA
Original Charter Company Operators/Contractors
- Goodall Charter Bus Service - San Diego, CA
- Ryder Student Transportation - Los Angeles, CA
- First Student - Los Angeles, CA & San Diego, CA
Second Hand Charter Company Operators/Contractors
- All Charter Services LLC (USDOT 3043177)
- Alliance Bus Lines (USDOT 2668148)
- Anthony L. Buckley DBA MH Transportation (USDOT 2690050)
- Aspire Transportation LLC (USDOT 2776674)
- Dennis Reindi DBA Grand Pacific Charter (USDOT 2418946)
- Essential LLC DBA Essential Transportation (USDOT 2495404)
- Four Winds Day Camp, Inc. DBA Four Winds (USDOT 2660606)
- Global School Services Inc. DBA Global Transportation Services (USDOT 2705249)
- James W. Lee DBA Ortley Transportation (USDOT 2733035)
- LA Charter Bus Lines LLC (USDOT 2982048)
- Lidia S. Paredes DBA LP Express (USDOT 2691147)
- Michael's Transportation Service Inc. (USDOT 575313)
- Pacific Coachways (USDOT 469591)
- Santa Barbara Transportation Corp./Student Transportation Inc. DBA Student Transportation of America (USDOT 677713)
- Trevor John Samuel/Expedited Freight Services LLC DBA M&J Transportation Inc. (USDOT 2328099)
- Trevor John Samuel/Expedited Freight Services LLC DBA Superior Charters (USDOT 2328099)
Miscellaneous Operators
Original Operators
- San Bernardino County Sheriff (CA)
Second Hand Operators
- California Department of Education - Sacramento, CA
- Las Vegas Con Xpress - Las Vegas, NV
- Mother Lode River Center (USDOT 2653115) - Lotus, CA
- Oak Hills Baptist Church - Folsom, CA
- The Rock Church (USDOT 2653801) - Elk Grove, CA
Demonstrator Units
Fleet Number |
Thumbnail | Build Date |
VIN | Engine | Transmission | Model | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8601 | 6/1985 | 15GBC0415G1030000 | Caterpillar 3208T | Allison MT-643 | 3208T? |
| |
9/30/1987 | 15GAC0219G1030001 | Caterpillar 3208T 210 hp |
Allison MT-643 | 3208T | |||
1986 | 15GAC0217G1030004 | Caterpillar 3208T 210 hp |
Allison MT-643 | 3208T-13 | Sold to Colusa Unified School District. | ||
5/1986 | 15GAC0214G1030011 | Caterpillar 3208T 210 hp |
Allison MT-643 | 3208T-13 |
| ||
1986 | 15GAC0916G1030043 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison MT-647 | 6V92T-13 | Sold to an unknown school district by 1992.[5] | ||
1986 | 15GAC0919G1030134 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison MT-647 | 6V92T-13 |
| ||
1988? | ? |
Preserved Coaches
Thumbnail | Build Date |
VIN | Engine | Transmission | Previous Owner(s) | Fleet Number |
Current Owner | Model | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3/20/1987 | 15GAD0911H1030143 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA MUI | Allison MT-654CR | Red Bluff Joint Union High School District[9] | 67 | Private Owner[10] | 6V92T-14 | Purchased from a scrap yard in May 2019. | |
8/4/1988 | 15GAD0917J1030377 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA DDEC II |
Allison MT-647 | New Haven Unified School District Essential Transportation[11] |
5 | Private Owner[12][13] | 6V92T-15 | Purchased from Essential Transportation in December 2018. |
Miscellaneous Privately Owned/Operated Units
Identified
Thumbnail | Build Date |
VIN | Engine | Transmission | Previous Owner(s) | Fleet Number |
Current Owner | Model | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9/30/1987 | 15GAC0219G1030001 | Caterpillar 3208T 210 hp |
Allison MT-643 | Gillig Redwood Christian Schools[2][3] |
None 5 |
SOMA StrEAT Food Park | 3208T | ||
4/10/1986 | 15GAC0212G1030007 | Caterpillar 3208T 210 hp |
Allison MT-643 | Gilroy Unified School District | 20 | The Rock Church[16][17] | 537/963208T | ||
8/1986 | 15GAD0919G1030020 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA MUI | Fuller RT11610 10-Speed Manual |
Paradise Unified School District[18][19] Re-seller |
22, later 861 | ? | 6V92-14 |
| |
7/1986 | 15GAC0914G1030042 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA MUI | Allison MT-647 | Tehachapi Unified School District[21] Alliance Bus Lines[22][23] Private Owner/Re-seller[24] |
19 5221 |
Private Owner | 6V92T-13 | It was registered in Texas in late 2018[25] and will likely become an RV conversion. | |
9/11/1986 | 15GAD0415G1030166 | Caterpillar 3208TA | Allison MTB-643 | San Diego Unified School District Escalon Unified School District[26] |
729 12 |
Private Owner[27] | 3208TA-15 | RV conversion project in Colorado. | |
9/12/1986 | 15GAD0419G1030168 | Caterpillar 3208TA | Allison MTB-643 | San Diego Unified School District Tahoe‐Truckee Joint Unified School District[28][29] Forest Lake Christian School Re-seller[30][31] |
731 31 |
Private Owner[32] | 3208TA-15 |
| |
7/21/1987 | 15GAD0912H1030250 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA MUI | Allison MT-647 | Chino Valley Unified School District California Department of Education? |
53 | Mother Lode River Center[33] | 6V92T-15 | Converted to run on Waste Veggie Oil (WVO).[34][35] | |
8/1987 | 15GAD0915H1030257 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA MUI | Allison | Ryder Student Transportation First Student |
875, later 2621 | Private Owner[36] | 6V92T-15 | RV Conversion project in Santee, CA. | |
8/1987 | 15GAD0919H1030259 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA MUI | Allison | Ryder Student Transportation First Student |
877 | Private Owner[36] | 6V92T-15 | Converted into an "Automotive/RV conversion garage" in Santee, CA. It was spotted on 7/13/2018.[37] | |
12/14/1987 | 15GAD0914H1030282 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA MUI | Allison MT-647 | Burton School District A-Z Bus Sales |
4 | Private Owner | 6V92T-15 | ||
3/31/1988 | 15GAC0918J1030293 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA MUI | Allison MT-647 | Gilroy Unified School District Michael's Transportation Service Inc. Stockton Unified School District[43] Private Owner/Re-seller[44][45] Private Owner/Re-seller[46][47] |
24 #? 30 |
Private Owner | 6V92T-13 |
| |
1987 | 15GAC0418H1030294 | Caterpillar 3208T | Allison MT-643 | ? Private Owner Private Owner |
#? | Private Owner | 3208T-13 | ||
8/3/1988 | 15GAD0911J1030374 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA DDEC II |
Allison MT-647 | New Haven Unified School District Alliance Bus Lines[51] |
2 5822 |
Private Owner/Re-seller[52] | 6V92T-15 | Parts bus at Alliance Bus Lines, but runs. | |
8/4/1988 | 15GAD0919J1030378 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA DDEC II |
Allison MT-647 | New Haven Unified School District Alliance Bus Lines[53] |
6 5824 |
Private Owner/Re-seller[52][54] | 6V92T-15 | ||
8/8/1988 | 15GAD0910J1030379 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA DDEC II |
Allison MT-647 | New Haven Unified School District Alliance Bus Lines[55] Private Owner/Re-seller[56] |
7 5825 |
Private Owner | 6V92T-15 | RV conversion project in California.[57] | |
8/1988 | 15GAD0917J1030380 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA DDEC II |
Allison MT-647 | New Haven Unified School District Alliance Bus Lines[58] |
8 5826 |
Private Owner/Re-seller[52] | 6V92T-15 | ||
8/31/1988 | 15GAD0916J1030404 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA DDEC II |
Allison MT-647 | ? Stockton Unified School District [59] Private Owner/Re-seller |
#? 84 |
Private Owner | 6V92T-15 | ||
9/1/1988 | 15GAD0918J1030405 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA DDEC II |
Allison MT-647 | ? Stockton Unified School District [65] |
#? 85 |
Private Owner | 6V92T-15 | RV conversion project in Texas.[66] | |
8/2/1988 | 15GAD0911J1030410 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA MUI | Allison MT-647 | Bishop Unified School District [67][68] Global Transportation Services Private Owner[69][70] |
25 125 |
6V92T-15 |
| ||
1989 | 15GAD0919K1030432 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA DDEC II |
Allison MT-647 | ?? School District[71] Dealer/Re-seller |
119 | Private Owner | 6V92T-?? | RV Conversion project known as The Great Gilly in Colorado.[72][73] | |
7/14/1989 | 15GAD0411K1030433 | Caterpillar 3208T | Allison MT-643 | Fortuna Union High School District[74] | 6 | Private Owner(s) | 3208T-15 | ||
1993 | 15GAC0919P1030490 | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA DDEC II |
Allison MT-647 | Tahoe‐Truckee Joint Unified School District Forest Lake Christian School Oak Hills Baptist Church[77][78] ? |
#? | Private Owner | 6V92-13 |
Unidentified Units
Thumbnail | Build Date |
Engine | Transmission | Previous Owner(s) | Fleet Number |
Notable Owner(s) | Current Owner | Model | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1987? | Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison | San Bernardino County Sheriff? | #? | Las Vegas Con Xpress[82][83] | Bus Stop Services? | 6V92TA-?? |
|
General Unidentified Units (Unknown VINs)
- ? 15: Circa 1987-1991 model, 40 ft., Lic. plate: {E}205024.
- ?: 1987 model?, 40 ft., dual headlights, spotted at A-Z Bus Sales. Additional image #1 Additional image #2
- ?: 1988 model?, 40 ft., spotted at A-Z Bus Sales. Additional image
- Marysville Joint Unified School District 40: 1987 or 1988 model 6V92T-?? 40 ft., was spotted in June 2018. It has since been scrapped.
- Modoc Joint Unified School District 291?: 6V92T-??; spotted in August 2007. It has since removed from its roster.
- Orange Unified School District had 8 1987-1988 model 6V92T-15 units.
- There are 2 units with unknown fleet numbers and unidentified VINs. They were likely 1988 models, and VIN's: 15GAD0910J1030396 & 15GAD0914J1030398, but confirmation is needed.
- 9, 10, 18, 19 & 21 were 1987 models; 17 was a 1988 model.
- San Leandro Unified School District 1: 1986-1987 model, 3208T-13, VIN has been identified, but not linked to the specific fleet number
- San Lorenzo Unified School District:
- Known fleet numbers ranged from 9-12 (VINs unknown).
- 12: ????T-13, (37 ft.), Additional image
- Siskiyou Union High School District #?: 1987? model.
- Tehachapi Unified School District:
- 3, 4, 5 & 19: 1986 model 6V92T-13 units; 3 out of 4 VINs have been identified, buses 4 & 19 have been linked VINs.
- A 40 foot 1987 model, 6V92T-?? VIN: 15GAD0910H1030229, Lic. Plate: {E}097201 was noted to have been ordered by Tehachapi USD on a production list, but further confirmation is needed.
- TV/Movie Bus ~ "West Beverly Hills High School" 1: Circa 1986-1987 model, ????T-13 (37 ft.), Additional image, Video scene (33:34 to 37:05), filmed in December 1992.
- Possibly an Ex-Demo (Confirmation needed)
- Yuba City Unified School District 27: 6V92-14; spotted in 1992. It may be a 1988 model, but confirmation is needed.
References
- ↑ www.flickr.com
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Facebook Image ~ Richard Silagi Photo
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 www.youtube.com
- ↑ ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
- ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
- ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
- ↑ www.autolit.net
- ↑ www.autolit.net
- ↑ ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
- ↑ www.youtube.com
- ↑ www.quicktransportsolutions.com
- ↑ www.youtube.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ somastreatfoodblog.files.wordpress.com
- ↑ www.youtube.com
- ↑ www.flickr.com
- ↑ ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
- ↑ www.govdeals.ca
- ↑ www.youtube.com
- ↑ www.ebay.com
- ↑ www.flickr.com
- ↑ www.flickr.com
- ↑ www.ebay.com
- ↑ www.ebay.com
- ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
- ↑ www.govdeals.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ www.flickr.com
- ↑ gilligcoaches.wixsite.com
- ↑ redding.craigslist.org
- ↑ www.ebay.com
- ↑ www.skoolie.net
- ↑ www.quicktransportsolutions.com
- ↑ www.malode.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 www.facebook.com
- ↑ www.flickr.com
- ↑ www.ebay.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ gilliganphantom.com
- ↑ www.youtube.com
- ↑ www.instagram.com
- ↑ www.publicsurplus.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ www.youtube.com
- ↑ www.youtube.com
- ↑ www.ebay.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
- ↑ www.ebay.com
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 www.facebook.com
- ↑ www.ebay.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ www.ebay.com
- ↑ losangeles.craigslist.org
- ↑ www.instagram.com
- ↑ www.ebay.com
- ↑ www.publicsurplus.com
- ↑ ebay image via facebook.com
- ↑ www.buslandia.net
- ↑ www.instagram.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ www.youtube.com
- ↑ www.publicsurplus.com
- ↑ www.instagram.com
- ↑ www.alamy.com
- ↑ www.alamy.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ www.lotnut.com
- ↑ thegreatgilly.com
- ↑ www.facebook.com
- ↑ ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
- ↑ www.lotnut.com
- ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
- ↑ ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
- ↑ Google Maps 2011
- ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
- ↑ reno.craigslist.org
- ↑ sfbay.craigslist.org
- ↑ www.facebook.com/Las-Vegas-Con-Xpress
- ↑ www.vegasprisonbus.com
- ↑ www.imcdb.org
- ↑ www.flickr.com
- ↑ www.flickr.com