International Harvester S-Series (bus chassis)
Encyclopedia
The International S-Series "Schoolmaster" was a Type C (conventional) bus chassis manufactured by International Harvester
, which became Navistar
during its production run. It was introduced in 1979 as the replacement for the Loadstar bus chassis; it was used for both school bus
and commercial bus applications. In 1989, it was replaced by the International 3800
; both chassis were offered that year. The Schoolmaster was the last bus chassis designed by International Harvester.
medium-duty trucks. Two models were available: the S-1700 and the heavier-duty S-1800.
In 1989, Navistar heavily upgraded the S-Series trucks, which had become the 4000-Series. The bus chassis was redesigned from the firewall forward and the entire dashboard was replaced. The new-generation bus chassis was called the 3800
, which was produced into 2004. As such, the 3800 was the final S-Series variant to conclude production.
, which Navistar used until 2010.
For its production run, the S-Series was used by many manufacturers of Type C school buses in North America.
Diesel
International Harvester
International Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
, which became Navistar
Navistar International
Navistar International Corporation is a United States-based holding company that owns the manufacturer of International brand commercial trucks, MaxxForce brand diesel engines, IC Bus school and commercial buses, Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans, and is a private label...
during its production run. It was introduced in 1979 as the replacement for the Loadstar bus chassis; it was used for both school bus
School bus
A school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...
and commercial bus applications. In 1989, it was replaced by the International 3800
International 3800
The International 3800 is a Type C bus chassis that was manufactured by Navistar International for school bus and commercial bus applications. It was produced from 1989 until 2004. The replacement for the S-Series "Schoolmaster", the 3800 used powertrains and components from the 4700 and 4900...
; both chassis were offered that year. The Schoolmaster was the last bus chassis designed by International Harvester.
Design History
The Schoolmaster used powertrains and components from the S-SeriesInternational Harvester S-Series
The International Harvester S-Series was a medium-duty truck line manufactured by International Harvester. The S-Series was first introduced in mid-1977 as a replacement for the International Harvester Fleetstar. In 1979, other versions of the S-Series were introduced as the successor to the...
medium-duty trucks. Two models were available: the S-1700 and the heavier-duty S-1800.
Changes
The Schoolmaster changed relatively little over its production run. Many of these changes reflected the change from International Harvester to Navistar. In 1987, an updated International logo was added to the grille and the steering wheel. Also, in an industry first, all gasoline engines were dropped from the S-Series bus chassis powertrain lineup.In 1989, Navistar heavily upgraded the S-Series trucks, which had become the 4000-Series. The bus chassis was redesigned from the firewall forward and the entire dashboard was replaced. The new-generation bus chassis was called the 3800
International 3800
The International 3800 is a Type C bus chassis that was manufactured by Navistar International for school bus and commercial bus applications. It was produced from 1989 until 2004. The replacement for the S-Series "Schoolmaster", the 3800 used powertrains and components from the 4700 and 4900...
, which was produced into 2004. As such, the 3800 was the final S-Series variant to conclude production.
Variants
Alongside the conventional, International also offered a stripped chassis for Type D (transit style) school bus manufacturers. The 1853-FC (FC=Forward Control) was powered only by diesel engines. In 1989, the 1853FC was replaced by the 3900International 3900
The International 3900 was a front-engine Type D bus chassis manufactured by Navistar International, used for school bus applications. It was the replacement for the 1853-FC chassis, based on the S-Series "Schoolmaster" introduced in the late 1970s...
, which Navistar used until 2010.
| International S-Series "Schoolmaster" Model Designations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Names | S1700 | S1800 | 1853-FC | ||
| S1723 | S1753 | S1823 | S1853 | ||
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Diesel | Gasoline | Diesel | Diesel |
| Years Produced | 1979-1986 | 1979-1989 | 1979-1981 | 1979-1989 | 1981-1989 |
Body manufacturers
| Manufacturer | Model Name | Production | Variants | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Bird Corporation | Conventional | 1979-1989 | S-1700 S-1800 |
|
| Carpenter Body Works Carpenter Body Company Carpenter Body Company, also known over the years as the Ralph H. Carpenter Body Company, Carpenter Body Works, Inc., Carpenter Manufacturing Company, Carpenter Industries, Inc., and Crown By Carpenter, was a bus body manufacturer based in Mitchell, Indiana, United States... |
Classic Cavalier |
1979-1989 | S-1700 S-1800 1853FC |
The Cavalier was a transit-style bus that used the 1853FC chassis from 1983-1988 |
| Gillig Corporation | 1979-1981 | S-1700 S-1800 |
The last Gillig Type C bus was built in 1981; very few were produced. | |
| New Bus Company | 1988-89 | S-1700 S-1800 |
||
| Superior Coach Company Superior Coach Company Superior Coach was once a school bus body and professional car manufacturer, but today it focuses on building hearses and is located in Lima in Allen County, Ohio.-History:-Garford Motor Truck Company:... |
Pioneer | 1979-1985 | S-1700 S-1800 |
Superior ended production of Type C buses in 1985 to concentrate on Type A buses (see Mid Bus Mid Bus Mid Bus was a corporation which specialized in manufacturing customized school buses. Formed in 1981 by former employees of Superior Coach Company in Lima, Ohio, it grew from a dozen employees working in a small facility in Lima to become one of the country's largest manufacturers of smaller school... ) |
| Thomas Built Buses, Inc. | Conventional | 1979-1989 | S-1700 S-1800 |
|
| Ward Body Works Ward Body Works Ward Body Works was a manufacturer specializing in school buses based in Conway, Arkansas. Ward filed for bankruptcy in 1980, and its successor, AmTran continued the use of the Ward brand on its school buses until 1992.-History:D. H... |
Volunteer President |
1979-1989 | S-1700 S-1800 1853FC |
|
| Wayne Corporation Wayne Corporation Wayne Corporation was a large manufacturer of buses and other vehicles branded with the trade name "Wayne." The corporate headquarters were in Richmond, Indiana, in Wayne County, Indiana, in the United States... |
Lifeguard | 1979-1989 | S-1700 S-1800 |
Engines
Gasoline- International Harvester 345 cubic-inch V8 (1979-1986)
- International Harvester 392 cubic-inch V8 (1979-1986)
- International Harvester MV-404 6.6 liter V8 (1979-1981)
- International Harvester MV-446 7.3 liter V8 (1979-1981) (gasoline ancestor of the International Harvester IDIInternational Harvester IDIThe International Harvester IDI engine is a 4-stroke 8-cylinder Diesel engine used in International Harvester trucks and Ford F-Series pickups from 1982 to 1994...
engine)
Diesel
- V8
- International Harvester 551 cu in (9 l) V8 (1979-1987)
-
- D-150/170/190 (September 1978-December 1979)
- 9.0L (January 1980-1987)
- International Harvester IDIInternational Harvester IDIThe International Harvester IDI engine is a 4-stroke 8-cylinder Diesel engine used in International Harvester trucks and Ford F-Series pickups from 1982 to 1994...
420 cu in (6.9 l) (1983-1987) - International Harvester IDI 444 cu in (7.3 l) (1986-1989)
- Caterpillar 3208 636 cu in (10.4 l) (1979-1981)
- International Harvester IDI
- Inline-6
- International Harvester DT360Navistar DT engineThe Navistar DT engine family is a line of mid-range inline-6 diesel engines. Withhorsepower ratings ranging from to , the Navistar DT engines are used primarily in medium-duty truck and bus...
360 cu in (5.9 l) (1986-1989) - International Harvester DT466Navistar DT engineThe Navistar DT engine family is a line of mid-range inline-6 diesel engines. Withhorsepower ratings ranging from to , the Navistar DT engines are used primarily in medium-duty truck and bus...
466 cu in (7.6 l) (1979-1989)
- International Harvester DT360
See also
- International HarvesterInternational HarvesterInternational Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
- original manufacturer - Chevrolet/GMC B-Series - competing bus chassis
- School BusSchool busA school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...