Before creating the Vanabode travel style I ran a motorcoach website. This page is one of many bus articles I wrote for coach buyers before closing that website.

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MCI Bus Model Chart

MCI 5 Bus 1950's - 1967 
Advantages - Inexpensive if you can find one.
Disadvantages - most have rust problems, 35' length limits interior room
Notes - manual 4 speed transmission
Conversion Issues - 35' long
Specifications - Length: 35 feet, Width: 96 inches, Height: 120 inches, Wheelbase: 261 inches, Turn radius: 46 feet, Typical Engines: DDA 8V-71, Seating: 39-45, Luggage: 212 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches

MCI 6 Bus 1950's - 1967 
Advantages - Inexpensive if you can find one, very smooth ride
Disadvantages - most have rust problems, had weight and structural problems
Notes - manual 4 speed transmission
Conversion Issues - humped floor
Specifications - Width: 102 inches, Height: 120 inches, Wheelbase: 261 inches, Turn radius: 46 feet, Typical Engines: DDA 8V-71, Seating: 39-45

MCI 7 Bus 1968 - 1973 
Advantages - Inexpensive if you can find one, redesigned with stainless steel in the sub-frame/engine area and skins, larger baggage area than MCI 6
Disadvantages - age makes some body parts hard to find
Notes - has strong obvious roof dip which many think dates the coach
Conversion Issues - inexpensive option, center isle depressed 4 to 5 inches
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 96 inches, Height: 129 inches, Wheelbase: 285 inches, Turn radius: 46 feet, Typical Engines: DDA 8V-71, Seating: 43-49, Luggage: 325 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches

MCI 8 Bus 1973 - 1978 
Advantages - Inexpensive if you can find one, added more stainless steel in the sub-frame/engine area, ss skins
Disadvantages - age makes some body parts hard to find, baggage doors cable counter balanced, doors cantilevered upward, when cables break they can injure the operators back severely.
Notes - also called "Crusader", has less obvious roof dip, destination sign mounted inside the coach behind the windshield, original MC-8 had slanted windows with a wide blank panel midway, later years did not have this configuration
Conversion Issues - inexpensive option
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 96 inches, Height: 130 inches, Wheelbase: 285 inches, Turn radius: 46 feet, Typical Engines: Eight cylinder DDC 8V-71 two-cycle diesel developing 285 HP at 2150 RPM, Transmission: Manual: Dana Model 8844A, Automatic: Allison HT740, Seating: 43-49, Luggage: 300 cubic feet, interior parcel racks - 109 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches, Vehicle Weight: 26,760 pounds, two shoe air brakes on each axle, Fuel Tank: 144 gallon, Suspension: Air ride automatically maintains even ride height
Steering: Hydraulic power steering

MCI 9 Bus 1979 - 1987 
Advantages - interchangelable left and right windshields, great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available, all wheels and tires completely interchangeable
Disadvantages - popularity increases price, ceiling height changes from front to back (see specifications)
Notes - also called "Crusader II", most successful passenger bus ever made, over 10,000 built, highest resale value in its class, flat roof and square windows introduced, structure, engine and drivetrain same as MC-8. Window size was increased and the windshield made taller, dipping roof eliminated
Conversion Issues - squarer roof important for looks and extra space, 96" wide
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 96 inches, Height: 132 inches, center aise ceiling height front 78.5 inches, back 75.5 inches Wheelbase: 285 inches, Turn radius: 51 feet, Typical Engines: six cylinder DDC 6V-92TA two-cycle developing 277 HP at 2100 RPM, eight cylinder DDC 8V-71 two-cycle diesel developing 280 HP at 2100 RPM, Transmission: Manual: Dana Model 8844A, Automatic: Allison HT740 and HT754, Seating: 43-49, Luggage: 300 cubic feet, interior parcel racks - 109 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches, Vehicle Weight: 26,800 pounds, two shoe air brakes on each axle, Fuel Tank: 136, 144, or 168 gallon, Suspension: Air ride automatically maintains even ride height, Steering: Hydraulic power steering

MCI 12 Bus 1992 - 1998 
Advantages - great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - different roof cap and updated tail light group, otherwise quite similiar to the MCI 9, flat roof and square windows continued
Conversion Issues - squarer roof important for looks and extra space, 96" wide

MCI 96A2 Bus 1985 - 1992 
Advantages - great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - lighter than the 96A3, first 40-foot MCI coach made without a tag axle, drive axle is 25 inches further back than the 3-axle version.
Conversion Issues - 96A2 means 96" wide with 2 axles (no tag axle) great for light conversions (no towing)
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 96 inches, Height: 133 inches, Wheelbase: 310 inches, Turn radius: 48 feet, Typical Engines: DDA 8V-71 and DDA 6V-92TA, Seating: 53, Luggage: 340 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches

MCI 96A3 Bus 1985 - 1992 
Advantages - great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - heavier than the 96A2, shortest distance from rear to last axle,
Conversion Issues - 96A3 means 96" wide with 3 axles, great for conversions
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 96 inches, Height: 133 inches, Wheelbase: 285 inches, Turn radius: 43 feet, Typical Engines: DDA 8V-71, DDA 6V-92TA, DDA 8V-92TA, Seating: 43-49, Luggage: 300 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches

MCI 102A2 Bus 1985 - 1992 
Advantages - great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - 102A2 means 102" side with 2 axles, no tag axle, lighter than the 102A3
Conversion Issues - good for light conversions (no towing)
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 102 inches, Height: 133 inches, Wheelbase: 310 inches, Turn radius: 48 feet, Typical Engines: DDA 8V-71 and DDA 6V-92TA, Seating: 53, Luggage: 362 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches

MCI 102A3 Bus 1985 - 1992 
Advantages - great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - 102A3 means 102" side with 3 axles, heavier than the 102A2, only the passenger section of the bus was widened, with front windshield and assembly remaining 96-inches wide, body widens at an angle from the drive backwards
Conversion Issues - good for all conversions
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 102 inches, Height: 133 inches, Wheelbase: 285 inches, Turn radius: 44 feet, Typical Engines: DDA 8V-71, DDA 6V-92TA, DDA 8V-92TA, Seating: 43-49, Luggage: 319 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches

MCI 102B3 Bus 1991 - 1993 
Advantages - great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - 102B3 means 102" side with 3 axles
Conversion Issues - good for all conversions

MCI 102C3 Bus 1987 - 1993 
Advantages - fully paintable exterior, more passenger headroom, improved parcel racks, higher grade than A model, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, easy to find parts
Disadvantages - engine compartments too small to accommodate 60 series engine (for those wanting to repower)
Notes - called bullet proof due to outstanding operating performance, 40' length
Conversion Issues - can be expensive, three inches higher than the A-series
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 102 inches, Height: 132 inches, Wheelbase: 285 inches, Turn radius: 51 feet, Typical Engines: six cylinder DDC 6V-92TA two-cycle developing 300 HP at 2100 RPM, eight cylinder DDC 8V-71 two-cycle diesel developing 280 HP at 2100 RPM, eight cylinder DDC 8V-92TA two-cycle diesel developing 400 HP at 2100 RPM, Transmission: Manual: Fuller T-11605D (five speed plus reverse), Automatic: Allison HT740 (four speed plus reverse), Seating: 47-49, Luggage: 319 cubic feet, interior parcel racks - 104 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches, Vehicle Weight: 27,250 pounds, two shoe air brakes on each axle, Fuel Tank: 156 gallon or 190 gallon, Suspension: Air ride automatically maintains even ride height, Steering: Hydraulic power steering

MCI 102D3, D4000 Bus 1994 - 2002+ 
Advantages - fully paintable exterior, more passenger headroom, improved parcel racks, higher grade than A model, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - 102D3 means 102" wide with 3 axles
Conversion Issues - smooth paintable sides
Specifications - Length: 40.5 feet, Width: 102 inches, Height: 137 inches, Wheelbase: 279 inches, Typical Engines: Detroit Diesel Series 60, 400 hp, DDEC IV, 12.7 liter, Caterpillar: C-12, Transmission: Automatic: Allison B500, 6-speed, optional retarder, Seating: 47, Luggage: 326 cubic feet, interior parcel racks - 104 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches, Vehicle Weight: 33,250 pounds, two shoe air brakes on each axle, Fuel Tank: 192 gallon, Suspension: Air ride automatically maintains even ride height, Steering: Hydraulic power steering

MCI 102DL3, D4500 Bus 1992 + 
Advantages - steerable drive axle reduces turning radius, fully paintable exterior, more passenger headroom, improved parcel racks, higher grade than A model, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, easy to find parts, new rear end and a larger engine compartment for more powerful engines.
Disadvantages - steerable drive axle increases maintenance cost
Notes - 102DL3 means 102" wide with 3 axles, called bullet proof due to outstanding operating performance, L means Long
Conversion Issues - 45' length
Specifications - Length: 45.42 feet, Width: 102 inches, Height: 137 inches, Wheelbase: 318 inches, Typical Engines: Detroit Diesel Series 60, 400 hp, DDEC IV, 12.7 liter, Caterpillar: C-12, Transmission: Automatic: Allison B500, 6-speed, optional retarder, Seating: 55, Luggage: 400 cubic feet, interior parcel racks - 109 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches, Vehicle Weight: 48,000 pounds, two shoe air brakes on each axle, Fuel Tank: 192 gallon, Suspension: Air ride automatically maintains even ride height, Steering: Hydraulic power steering, trailing tag axle on 45'

MCI 102EL3, E4500, Renaissance Bus 1997 + 
Advantages - less parts than D models, fully paintable exterior, more passenger headroom, improved parcel racks, higher grade than A model, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, easy to find parts, built in chemical lavatory, steerable tag axle reduces turning radius
Disadvantages - popularity increases price, steerable tag axle increases maintenance costs
Notes - extremely curved entry steps
Conversion Issues - MCI's best selling conversion shell
Specifications - Length: 45.67 feet, Width: 102 inches, Height: 141 inches, Wheelbase: 315 inches, Typical Engines: Detroit Diesel Series 60, 435 hp, DDEC, 122.7 liter with engine brake, Caterpillar C-13, Transmissions: Automatic: Allison B500 (six speed plus reverse), Allison B500R with retarder, Automatic: ZF ASTronic, Seating: 55, Luggage: 445 cubic feet, interior parcel racks - 150 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches, Vehicle Weight: 38,000 pounds, two shoe air brakes on each axle, Fuel Tank: 182 gallon, Suspension: electronically controlled air suspension (ECAS) with kneeling and high and low-ride features, Steering: Hydraulic power steering, steerable tag axle.

MCI 102F35, F3500 Bus 2000 + 
Advantages - fully paintable exterior, more passenger headroom, improved parcel racks, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, easy to find parts
Disadvantages - 35' length limits passenger seating and conversion space
Notes - built in Mexico, many purchased these to replace smaller mid sized shuttle buses due to "efficiency per seat" numbers, this MCI is a modified DINA F12 produced in Mexico
Conversion Issues - originally designed as a great inexpensive conversion shell.
Specifications - Length: 35.45 feet, Width: 102 inches, Height: 144 inches, Wheelbase: 214 inches, Turn radius: 51 feet, Typical Engines: Cummins ISC, 285 hp, 800 lb-ft of torque with exhaust brake, Detroit Diesel Series 40, Transmission: Automatic: Allison WTB400 (five speed plus reverse), Seating: 36, Luggage: 280 cubic feet, interior parcel racks - 104 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches, Vehicle Weight: 25,000 pounds, two shoe air brakes on each axle, Fuel Tank: 158 gallon, Suspension: Air ride automatically maintains even ride height, Steering: Hydraulic power steering

MCI 102G3, G4100 Bus 2001 - 2002 
Advantages - durable, economical line-haul coach, fully paintable exterior, more passenger headroom, improved parcel racks, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, easy to find parts
Disadvantages - too expensive for some
Notes - built in Mexico

MCI 102GL3, G4500 Bus 2001 + 
Advantages - durable coach, fully paintable exterior, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, easy to find parts
Disadvantages - too expensive for some
Notes - 45' length

MCI J4500 Bus 2001 + 
Advantages - durable coach, fully paintable exterior, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, easy to find parts
Disadvantages - too expensive for some
Notes - 45' length, drum brakes,

If you want general information on the MCI brand visit MCI Bus.

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