Gillig Phantom School Bus

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Gillig Phantom School Bus
Gillig Phantom school bus
Phantom School Bus (single-headlight, 37')
Years of manufacture 1985 to 1993
Length 37 or 40 feet
Width 96 inches
Black Oak Mine Unified School District 19-a.jpg
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

1988 model with dual headlights "quads"

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

  • 1992 model with single headlights "duals" and the revised front doors

  • The rear of a 1988 model with retrofitted circular LED tail lights

  • Green interior of an 84 passenger 1992 model 6V92-14

  • Brown interior of an 87 passenger 1987 model 6V92T-15

  • Driver compartment of a 1987 model

  • Driver compartment of a 1993 model

Specifications

Model & VIN Breakdown

Standard Model Breakdown

Non-Standard Model Breakdown

VIN Code Breakdown

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 Valley 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

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?
  • 1986 model.
  • Utility Bus/School Bus Prototype
  • Model "37S3208" on a production list
  • Did not meet school bus regulations for the time
  • It was stored at Gillig until the 1990's.
  • Sold to Pacific Coachways and became 22 circa 1994.[1]
    • It retired in 2009 and was likely scrapped.
9/30/1987 15GAC0219G1030001 Caterpillar 3208T
210 hp 		Allison MT-643 3208T
  • 1986 model.
  • Sold to Redwood Christian Schools in San Leandro, CA and became 5.[2][3]
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
  • Sold to American Unified School District.
  • Later sold to Southwest Transportation Agency.[4]
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
  • Sold to Mendocino Unified School District.
  • A salvage record was noted in December 2010.[6]
1988? ?
  • Intercity Bus Demonstrator
  • School Bus chassis
  • [7][8]

Preserved Coaches

Thumbnail Build
Date 		VIN Engine Transmission Previous Owner(s) Fleet
Number 		Current Owner Model Notes
Red Bluff Joint Union High School District 67-a.jpg 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.
New Haven Unified School District 5-b.jpg 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
Redwood Christian Schools 5-a.jpg 9/30/1987 15GAC0219G1030001 Caterpillar 3208T
210 hp 		Allison MT-643 Gillig
Redwood Christian Schools[2][3] 		None
5 		SOMA StrEAT Food Park 3208T
  • 1986 model.
  • It was sold to SOMA StrEAT Food Park in San Francisco, CA in 2012 and was converted into an eating area.[14][15]
The Rock Church 1-a.jpg 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
  • Bought by a re-seller in Colorado.[20]
  • Unknown intentions/current status
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
  • The re-seller in Burney, CA renumbered the bus to 17 before selling it.
  • RV Conversion project known as Comfort Eagle in Maryland.
Mother Lode River Center 1-a.jpg 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
  • Bought by A-Z Bus Sales in Colton, CA and listed on ebay in September 2017.[38][39]
  • RV conversion project known as Gilligan Phantom in South Carolina.[40][41][42]
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
  • In the early 1990's, the bus crashed into a tree at the 152/156 intersection at Pacheco Pass junction and was wrecked. Front right side of the bus was destroyed. S&M Commercial Body in San Jose, CA found that fixing the bus would be cheaper than buying a new one. There was an article in School Bus Fleet about his results, called Resurrecting a Phantom.
  • Unknown intentions/current status.
Gillig Phantom School Bus Serial H1030294-a.jpg 1987 15GAC0418H1030294 Caterpillar 3208T Allison MT-643 ?
Private Owner
Private Owner 		#? Private Owner 3208T-13
  • Spotted in Grass Valley, CA on 9/9/2016.[48]
  • Spotted in Weed, CA on 2/22/2017.[49] At the time it was owned by a plumber and was converted into a workshop bus.
  • Noted to operate in Oregon as of August 2018.[50]
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
  • Bought by a private owner in June 2015. It was listed on ebay in October 2015.[60]
  • RV conversion project known as Buslandia in Oregon.[61][62][63][64]
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
  • Featured a Jake Brake
  • RV conversion project in California, but scrapped by December 2018.
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
  • Purchased by private buyer from Huisman Auctions Inc.'s Humbodlt County Auction on 5/2/2015.[75]
  • Vehicle registrations were noted in November 2016 & February 2017.[76]
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
  • The final Gillig Phantom School Bus built.
  • [79]
  • Converted into a Burning Man bus. It was spotted on Craigslist in Dayton, NV on 1/2/2017.[80][81]
  • Unknown current status

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-??
  • Spotted in a movie in 2006.[84]
  • Bought by Las Vegas Con Xpress in Las Vegas, NV circa 2009.
  • It was spotted parked at Bus Stop Services in Las Vegas, NV in July 2015. It was renumbered 007.[85][86]

General Unidentified Units (Unknown VINs)

References

  1. ↑ www.flickr.com
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Facebook Image ~ Richard Silagi Photo
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 www.youtube.com
  4. ↑ ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
  5. ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
  6. ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
  7. ↑ www.autolit.net
  8. ↑ www.autolit.net
  9. ↑ ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
  10. ↑ www.youtube.com
  11. ↑ www.quicktransportsolutions.com
  12. ↑ www.youtube.com
  13. ↑ www.facebook.com
  14. ↑ somastreatfoodblog.files.wordpress.com
  15. ↑ www.youtube.com
  16. ↑ www.flickr.com
  17. ↑ ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
  18. ↑ www.govdeals.ca
  19. ↑ www.youtube.com
  20. ↑ www.ebay.com
  21. ↑ www.flickr.com
  22. ↑ www.flickr.com
  23. ↑ www.ebay.com
  24. ↑ www.ebay.com
  25. ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
  26. ↑ www.govdeals.com
  27. ↑ www.facebook.com
  28. ↑ www.flickr.com
  29. ↑ gilligcoaches.wixsite.com
  30. ↑ redding.craigslist.org
  31. ↑ www.ebay.com
  32. ↑ www.skoolie.net
  33. ↑ www.quicktransportsolutions.com
  34. ↑ www.malode.com
  35. ↑ www.facebook.com
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 www.facebook.com
  37. ↑ www.flickr.com
  38. ↑ www.ebay.com
  39. ↑ www.facebook.com
  40. ↑ gilliganphantom.com
  41. ↑ www.youtube.com
  42. ↑ www.instagram.com
  43. ↑ www.publicsurplus.com
  44. ↑ www.facebook.com
  45. ↑ www.youtube.com
  46. ↑ www.youtube.com
  47. ↑ www.ebay.com
  48. ↑ www.facebook.com
  49. ↑ www.facebook.com
  50. ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
  51. ↑ www.ebay.com
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 www.facebook.com
  53. ↑ www.ebay.com
  54. ↑ www.facebook.com
  55. ↑ www.ebay.com
  56. ↑ losangeles.craigslist.org
  57. ↑ www.instagram.com
  58. ↑ www.ebay.com
  59. ↑ www.publicsurplus.com
  60. ↑ ebay image via facebook.com
  61. ↑ www.buslandia.net
  62. ↑ www.instagram.com
  63. ↑ www.facebook.com
  64. ↑ www.youtube.com
  65. ↑ www.publicsurplus.com
  66. ↑ www.instagram.com
  67. ↑ www.alamy.com
  68. ↑ www.alamy.com
  69. ↑ www.facebook.com
  70. ↑ www.facebook.com
  71. ↑ www.lotnut.com
  72. ↑ thegreatgilly.com
  73. ↑ www.facebook.com
  74. ↑ ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
  75. ↑ www.lotnut.com
  76. ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
  77. ↑ ai.fmcsa.dot.gov
  78. ↑ Google Maps 2011
  79. ↑ www.vehiclehistory.com
  80. ↑ reno.craigslist.org
  81. ↑ sfbay.craigslist.org
  82. ↑ www.facebook.com/Las-Vegas-Con-Xpress
  83. ↑ www.vegasprisonbus.com
  84. ↑ www.imcdb.org
  85. ↑ www.flickr.com
  86. ↑ www.flickr.com
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