Thomas Vista
Encyclopedia
The Thomas Vista was a school bus
built by Thomas Built Buses
from 1989 until 1997, on GMC, Chevrolet
, and Navistar International
chassis. It was unique in that it combined aspects of both conventional and transit style school buses. The Vista was used heavily in many school districts in the United States in the mid to late 1990s.
From 1989 to 1993, Vistas had a 2-piece windshield and a 2-piece window next to the entry door. After 1994, the Vista's exterior was redesigned to have a 4-piece windshield similar in construction to the Saf-T-Liner's (but far more sloped) and a 1-piece window next to the entry door was added due to changes to the side mirror bracketing.
8.2 liter engine. After 1991, GM stopped supplying chassis for large buses to Thomas, so the chassis supplier was changed to Navistar International
, who designed the 3600 chassis specifically for the Vista body.
Since school districts in the US did not start adopting these buses in large quantities until the mid-1990s, General Motors
chassis versions of the Vista are rare. From 1992 to 1994, the engine lineup consisted of International
DT360 and 7.3L engines. After 1994, the lineup consisted of the International
T444E and DT466E engines. The Vista was available only with an automatic transmission.
After the 1998 model year, International ended production of the Vista's chassis, as Thomas Built Buses had been purchased by competitor Freightliner. The Vista's 3600 chassis had been developed specifically for Thomas; neither AmTran nor Blue Bird produced a competing product that had a need for it.
in 1997, the Vista was discontinued after the 1998 model year.
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...
built by Thomas Built Buses
Thomas Built Buses
Thomas Built Buses, Inc. is a bus manufacturer based in High Point, North Carolina, United States and a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG. Thomas produces school buses, activity buses/MFSAB , and commercial buses; both small and full-size buses are produced.Thomas traces its roots to 1916, when...
from 1989 until 1997, on GMC, Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
, and Navistar International
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...
chassis. It was unique in that it combined aspects of both conventional and transit style school buses. The Vista was used heavily in many school districts in the United States in the mid to late 1990s.
Body
One of the more distinctive aspects of the Thomas Vista was its body. The body design placed the engine half inside the bus and half outside, shortening the hood (quite literally, in the International-chassis versions), and allowing the driver's seat to be moved further forward. This gave the driver more visibility around the front of the bus, gave the bus a tighter turning radius, and allowed for greater seating capacity than a conventional style school bus (maximum of 84 instead of 78), all while still being more affordable than a transit style school bus.From 1989 to 1993, Vistas had a 2-piece windshield and a 2-piece window next to the entry door. After 1994, the Vista's exterior was redesigned to have a 4-piece windshield similar in construction to the Saf-T-Liner's (but far more sloped) and a 1-piece window next to the entry door was added due to changes to the side mirror bracketing.
Chassis
Vistas made before 1992 were built on a General Motors (typically badged Chevrolet) chassis, equipped with a Detroit DieselDetroit Diesel
As a corporation, Daimler Trucks North America has decided to rename the company "DETROIT".Detroit Diesel Corporation is an American-based diesel engine producer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, USA...
8.2 liter engine. After 1991, GM stopped supplying chassis for large buses to Thomas, so the chassis supplier was changed to Navistar International
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...
, who designed the 3600 chassis specifically for the Vista body.
Since school districts in the US did not start adopting these buses in large quantities until the mid-1990s, General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
chassis versions of the Vista are rare. From 1992 to 1994, the engine lineup consisted of International
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...
DT360 and 7.3L engines. After 1994, the lineup consisted of the International
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...
T444E and DT466E engines. The Vista was available only with an automatic transmission.
After the 1998 model year, International ended production of the Vista's chassis, as Thomas Built Buses had been purchased by competitor Freightliner. The Vista's 3600 chassis had been developed specifically for Thomas; neither AmTran nor Blue Bird produced a competing product that had a need for it.
| Detroit Diesel Engines | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Years Available | Notes |
| 8.2L V8 | 1989-1991 | The 8.2L engine was only available with GM-chassis Vistas. |
| International Diesel Engines | ||
| Engine | Years Available | Notes |
| DT360 | 1992-1994 | |
| 7.3L V8 | 1992-1994 | |
| DT466E | 1995-1998 | |
| T444E | 1995-1998 | |
Flaws
Despite its acceptance in school districts nationwide, the Vista was heavily criticized. The part of the engine that was inside the bus was shielded by a thin metal casing. Because this casing offered little insulation between the engine and passenger compartment, engine heat and noise would end up inside of the bus. Vistas were also plagued by suspension problems. A good portion of the engine was behind the front wheels, the effectiveness of the bus's front suspension was reduced, making for a bumpy ride. As a result of these flaws, and as a result of Thomas Built Buses, Inc. being bought by Freightliner TrucksFreightliner Trucks
Freightliner Trucks is an American manufacturer of heavy duty trucks, chassis and semi-trailer trucks in the United States. The company was founded as Freightliner Inc in 1942 and is now a division of Daimler Trucks North America, a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG...
in 1997, the Vista was discontinued after the 1998 model year.