Need Opinions on MCI 6

Dreamscape · April 22, 2010, 04:40:24 PM

I'm an Eagle guy, what can I say.

Can you MCI folk give me the scoop on the MCI6 please? What years were they made, likes, dislikes. You know the drill.

I do know they are 102" wide, that's about it.

Paul

gumpy · April 22, 2010, 04:55:03 PM

Not sure year, but I believe there were only 101 of them made. They were the first 102 wide bus.
That's about all I know, except they are probably the second coolest looking bus, next to the Scenicruiser, IMHO.

luvrbus · April 22, 2010, 05:00:02 PM

They were the only bus to have a 12v71 for power and most spent their life in the Rockies,they were made in 69 and 70 same as the 07 Eagles.I wonder how many are still around you don't see the MCI 6,all the 45 07 Eagles are still around

good luck

Dreamscape · April 22, 2010, 05:25:07 PM

The only info scored so far, they were made in 69-70 for Greyhound. Would that be correct? If only 100 made, how are hard are parts to acquire?

http://busexplorer.com/NABus/MCI-Text.html

luvrbus · April 22, 2010, 05:54:39 PM

Paul, I looked at one a few years back had a factory hitch on it most of the 6's alway's towed a trailer behind it the one I saw was pretty well used up had the 12V71 it came from Canada.
Ask George Todd on the Bus Nut board he owns one.

good luck

RJ · April 22, 2010, 06:36:14 PM

Paul -

You mean one of these beasts?

100 of them were built in 1969 - 1970 exclusively for Greyhound. 85 came to the US, 15 remained in Canada. First 102"-wide intercity coach (transits have been that since the mid-'50s).

Initially, all were equipped with a 12V71 bolted to the 4-spd Spicer. Due to maintenance headaches (drivers tearing up clutches), all the US coaches were retrofitted with 8V71Ts mated to HT740s. The Canadian cars kept the original powertrain (of which the coach below was equipped).

Greyhound was unsuccessful getting clearance for the MC-6 to run over the entire country, due to the width restriction in many states. The majority spent their career running up and down US 101 in CA from SF to LA.

Lots more info in Larry Plachno's book, of which no self-respecting busnut should be without!

FWIW & HTH. . .

Dreamscape · April 22, 2010, 07:18:16 PM

RJ, Yip, that's the beast! Any personal experiences with them?

RJ · April 22, 2010, 07:25:18 PM

Quote from: Dreamscape on April 22, 2010, 07:18:16 PM

RJ, Yip, that's the beast! Any personal experiences with them?

Yup, the one pictured. Disliked it, but not as much as a 4107/4108.

4106 was still faster & handled better, IMHO. Almost double the fuel mileage, too.

Allstate's owner hated it when his own fleet's 4106 would blow by the beast pulling the Grapevine.

Don Fairchild's probably run the rack on this back in the day. . . Don?

FWIW & HTH. . .

Dreamscape · April 22, 2010, 07:45:04 PM

What's the GVW?

Chopper Scott · April 22, 2010, 09:25:30 PM

That's a sweet looking bus!

Hartley · April 23, 2010, 08:41:18 AM

The largest collection of MC6 coaches is in Baxter Tn, Down the road
from me. Owned by the Daltons. They did have 2 or 3 still available for
charter a couple of years ago.

I have seen at least 10 of them there, They claimed to have 26 at one time.
Most are now just sitting empty without running gear or other parts missing.

Before anyone gets all exited, Daltons are impossible to deal with or talk to.

Dave...

luvrbus · April 23, 2010, 08:46:18 AM

Paul, are you looking at the 6 for sale in League City Tx ? if so I would ask taking a little from Johnny Cash "How high the water momma"

good luck

TomC · April 23, 2010, 09:11:18 AM

The one thing that the 6 had was a unique larger bolt circle on the wheels and ran 12R-24.5 tires-of which you can only get in construction tread pattern restricted to 65mph. Many have conversion plates made so you can run standard 11R-24.5 tires on standard rims-of which even these large tires look small in the huge wheel wells. With the engine compartment made for a 12V-71, even a Series 60 has plenty of room. I would imagine it would be a nightmare to get the windows made for such a low production model-but a very cool looking bus. Good Luck, TomC

Dreamscape · April 23, 2010, 01:06:30 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on April 23, 2010, 08:46:18 AM
Paul, are you looking at the 6 for sale in League City Tx ? if so I would ask taking a little from Johnny Cash "How high the water momma"

good luck

Nope, not for me. A friend of mine is thinking about looking at it. It's all a crap shoot anyway when you look at used anything! Looks good, smells good, but tastes bad afterwords!

He's got a 57 Chevy that is gorgeous, and this couple is willing to trade for a hotrod. I'm just trying to help him with the research.

My other firend is going to look at that Flx that's listed on BNO this weekend. We'll see what happens with that. She really would like to have Bit-O-Country, but it's over her budget.