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Greyhound coach makes British debut
Page 44
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by Martin Hayes
• British operators will have their first chance to study America's latest longdistance coach next month. The newlyintroduced MC8 Crusader, produced by a subsidiary of the Greyhound Corporation, will be on view at the annual coach show organized by Yeates of Loughborough, to be held from October 8 to 16 (including Sunday).
Though no decision on future sales of the MC8 has vet been finalized. I understand that the vehicle is being brought to Britain as a direct result of an exclusive article on Greyhound in CM March 2. I said then: "If enough interest were expressed here Greyhound would willingly ship a vehicle over for demonstration purposes". That interest has been expressed and the vehicle is now on its way.
The MC8, which was announced in America only last month, follows the tradition established over the years by American bus operators and builders. It is a rugged design with three axles and a rear-mounted General Motors V8 engine. The emphasis is on long-term durability rather than low initial price. An abridged specification accompanies this report.
Before such a vehicle could be sold in the UK a number of changes would doubtless be necessary to meet Department of the Environment requirements. Assuming these could be satisfactorily accomplished there might well be a market for such a vehicle here. Several large operators have recently told me that they feel the American design has something to offer.
At the Yeates show — which will also feature a large number of other new vehicles — Mr J. L. Kerrigan, president of Greyhound Lines Inc. will be on hand to describe the MC8's finer points.
SPECIFICATION, MC8
Manufacturer: Motor Coach Industries of North Dakota. USA, and Winnipeg, Canada, a subsidiary of the Greyhound Corporation.
Model: MC8 Crusader.
Dimensions: length, 12m: width, 8ft: height, 10ft 10in.: wheelbase, 23ft 9in: interior height, 6ft 33in.6ft 6-1,in; luggage capacity. 300cu ft (109cu ft extra in overhead racks): max. turning circle 51ft 4in: fuel tank capacity. 144 US gal.: kerb weight, 11.9 tons. Body: steel alloy frame, integrally constructed, with stainless steel inserts at points liable to corrosion. Exterior panelling, riveted to frame, is of high tensile aluminium with grp panels at front and rear. Manually operated door with air interlock. Interior panelling covered with fluoride coated vinyl.
Heating and ventilation: 152,000 Btu waterheated, forced-air system together with full air conditioning unit: separate system for driver compartment.
Engine: General Motors 8V-71 C two-stroke VB engine developing 285bhp at 2,150rpm and 770Ib.ft at 1,200mm. Engine, clutch and gearbox mounted on cradle and can be withdrawn as complete unit. Clutch: 15in double-dry-plate clutch with air assistance: clutch can be replaced without removing engine.
Transmission: four-speed Dana model 8B44A with toraue capacity of 1,2001b/ft. Ratios (with max. speeds at 2,150 rpm in brackets): 1st gear. 4.30 (15.1 mph): 2nd, 2.33 (30.0): 3rd, 1.36 (51.4): 4th. 1.00 170.01; reverse. 6.00. Rear axle ratio: 3.70.