Thomas Vista

Thomas Vista
1995-1998 Thomas Vista
Overview
Manufacturer	Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
Production	1989–1998
Assembly	High Point, North Carolina
Body and chassis
Class	Type C
Body style	School bus
Layout	Semi forward-control 4x2
Platform	International 3600
Powertrain
Engine	Diesel
Transmission	Allison AT545 4-speed automatic Allison MT643 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Width	96 in (2,400 mm)
Chronology
Successor	Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2

The Thomas Vista is a school bus that was manufactured by Thomas Built Buses from 1989 to 1998. While considered a cowled-chassis conventional-style school bus similar to the Saf-T-Liner Conventional, the Vista combined design elements of conventional buses and transit-style school buses, as well as those from smaller school buses.

Following the 1998 acquisition of Thomas Built Buses by Freightliner, the Vista was discontinued. While the Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 was not intended as a direct replacement, its design would incorporate features previously utilized in the Thomas Vista.

Development

During the early 1980s, school bus manufacturing in the United States underwent a period of relative turmoil. Following a sharp decline in student populations with the exit of the baby-boom generation from the public education system, innovation was now key to survival. In addition, the federal government had significantly toughened standards for crash protection in school buses at the end of the 1970s.^[1] While safety had long played a role in the marketing of school buses, designers were taking a new, proactive stance; by increasing the visibility of a driver, the chances of preventing an accident potentially increased.^[1]

In 1985, AmTran/Ward introduced the Ward Patriot, an all-new full-size bus using a modified version of the Chevrolet/GMC B-Series chassis. By shortening the chassis and moving the engine rearward, the Patriot was given a sloped engine hood similar to a delivery van, out of the driver's blind spot. On the inside, the Patriot was configured similar to a front-engine transit bus, with part of the engine cowl next to the driver.

Model History

1989–1991

In 1989, Thomas Built Buses introduced the Vista as its own semi forward-control bus. Using the same shortened Chevrolet/GMC chassis as the Ward Patriot, the Vista introduced several unique design aspects. With a set-forward front axle, much of engine of the Vista sat next to the driver, similar to the Saf-T-Liner EF.^[1]

To improve loading-zone sightlines, the shortened fiberglass hood (designed by Thomas) was designed to maximize forward visibility; for the side loading area, the bodywork ahead of the door was given a loading-zone window, as on the Thomas Minotour.

After 1991, General Motors entered into a supply agreement to supply the B-Series to body manufacturer Blue Bird Corporation, effectively ending the production of the GM-chassis Thomas Vista.

Engine	Years Produced	Notes
Detroit Diesel 8.2L V8	1989–1991	Available in turbocharged or non-turbo ("Fuel Pincher") configuration

1992–1998

1994 Thomas Vista

Following the end of General Motors chassis production, Thomas was able to secure a supply of chassis from Navistar International for 1992. As before, the Vista would be based on a modified conventional bus chassis; rather than shortening a chassis, Navistar would design Thomas a completely new chassis for the Vista: the International 3600. While the 3600 was heavily based on the International 3800, it remained a unique design. To showcase the model change, Thomas fitted the Vista with a Navistar hood (cut nearly in half to fit the shortened chassis).

As before, the driver of the Navistar-chassis Vista was positioned next to the engine, similar to a Thomas EF bus. To eliminate several blind spots on the body, in 1994, the forward body was redesigned; the side window was enlarged and the windshield was changed to a wraparound 4-piece configuration.

Following the acquisition of Thomas in 1998, the Vista was removed from the Thomas product line as it was produced solely on a Navistar chassis. As the Navistar 3600 chassis was designed specifically for the Thomas Vista body, its production ended as well.

Engine	Years produced	Notes
DT360	1992–1994
7.3L IDI V8	1992–1994
DT466E	1995–1998
T444E V8	1995–1998

References

1 2 3 "Thomas school bus history,Perley A. Thomas Car Works, Thomas Built Buses, Thomas Built Buses div. of Freightliner, Thomas Built Buses div. of Daimler Trucks, High Point, N.C. - CoachBuilt.com". www.coachbuilt.com. Retrieved 2016-03-18.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thomas Vista buses.

Thomas Built Buses school bus product lineup

A subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America

Type A

Minotour

Type B

Mighty Mite (out of production)

Type C

current	Saf-T-Liner C2

out of production	Vista Saf-T-Liner Conventional FS-65

Type D

current	Saf-T-Liner HDX EFX

out of production	Saf-T-Liner EF ER WestCoastER Saf-T-Liner MVP EF ER All Star EF

School bus manufacturers, North America

Active manufacturers

Full-size and small buses	Blue Bird Corporation (small buses made by Girardin Minibus) IC Bus Lion Bus (full-size buses only) Thomas Built Buses, Inc

Small buses only	Collins Industries Collins Corbeil Girardin Minibus (renamed Micro Bird by Girardin) Starcraft Bus Trans Tech Van Con

Defunct manufacturers
(including date of closure
or last school bus manufacture)

2000s	Carpenter Industries, Inc (2001) American Transportation Corporation (AmTran) (2002; became IC Bus) Les Enterprises Michel Corbeil (2008; acquired by Collins) Liberty Bus (2005) Mid Bus (2008) U.S. Bus Corporation (2006; became Trans Tech)

1990s	Coach and Equipment Manufacturing (1999; still in business) Crown Coach Corporation (1991) Gillig Corporation (1993; still in business) Mid Bus (1998; acquired by Collins) TAM-USA (1991) Wayne Corporation (1992; became Wayne Wheeled Vehicles) Wayne Wheeled Vehicles (1995)

1980s	Ward Body Works (1980; became AmTran) New Bus Company (1989) Superior Coach Company (1985)

1970s	Northern Coach Perley A. Thomas Car Works (1972; became Thomas Built Buses)

1960s	Hackney Brothers Body Company (1966)

1950s	Kenworth-Pacific (1957; still in business)

List of school bus manufacturers

North American School Bus Chassis (1980-present)

Type A
(Cutaway Van)

Current	Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana Ford E-Series E-350/E-450 Transit 350/350HD

Historical	Dodge Ram Van General Motors Chevrolet Van/GMC Vandura Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick (GMT560) Navistar International International 3400 International TerraStar Smith Electric Newton

Type B
(Integrated)

Current	Ford F59

Historical	Chevrolet P30

Type C
(Conventional)

Current	Blue Bird Vision Freightliner C2 International 3300 Spartan Motors Front-engine

Historical	Chevrolet/GMC B-Series Ford B-Series Freightliner FS-65 Hino 338 International Harvester/Navistar International S-Series "Schoolmaster" 3400 3600 3800

Type D
(Transit-style)

Current	Blue Bird Corporation All American (T3) Navistar International 3000 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX Saf-T-Liner HDX

Historical	Blue Bird TC/1000 TC/2000 All American (A3/D3) Crown Coach Corporation Supercoach Supercoach Series II General Motors S7 Gillig Transit Coach Phantom International Harvester/Navistar 1853FC 3900

Other Manufacturers	Asia Smith Motors Crane Carrier Oshkosh Corporation Spartan Motors

List of school bus manufacturers

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