I was born in the USA around 1996 with an International 3800 chassis and a Blue Bird body. I’m roughly 35 ft (10.7 m) long and my weight ranges between 6.610 kg (empty) and 11.566 kg (max allowable). I have a shiny yellow color and 65 (children) seats. It’s probably obvious by now, I’m a classic American school bus. The sign above my windshield makes it difficult to deny.

During my entire school bus career (roughly 24 years), I was stationed in Rankin County (Mississippi) driving around kids for the Brandon School Zone. Back at the time I was number 339. All those years I was splendidly serviced, keeping my mechanics young and bodywork shiny. In the summer of 2020, with roughly 210.000 miles on the counter, it was time for me to make space for a new generation of school buses and seek a new adventure. My V8 7.3L T444E Navistar diesel engine is still up for some mileage.

Via a short transit in Florida and the Netherlands (credits to BGA and Renee for arranging my trip across the Atlantic Ocean), I finally ended up in Belgium! My arrival was somewhat a surprise for many friends and family, but when that curtain dropped I knew I was in good company.

During Bob’s first visit, he instantly fell in love with my cockpit-style switch panel, a unique feature from the old days. Now you also know why everyone involved in the project is considered part of the “crew”. It was apparently quite a challenge to get me legalized here on the Belgian roads, but luckily Bob and the crew wouldn’t settle for anything else.

I'm getting a make-over these days. Read more stories on my transformation and chances are likely we might meet (again) someday.