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First Blue Bird Bus Heads to Henry Ford Museum
Using a steel body instead of wood and incorporating a Ford Model T chassis, the 1927 Blue Bird No. 1 was a pioneering vehicle with all major school bus manufacturers moving to steel-bodies within a decade of its appearance.
Blue Bird No. 1 was the first steel-bodied school bus built by Albert Luce, Sr. in 1927. Luce was the owner of Ford dealerships in Fort Valley and Perry, Georgia when one of his customers requested a vehicle to transport workers to a cement plant. After having very limited success with a wood-bodied bus (the wood deteriorated before the customer could finish paying for the vehicle), Luce turned to using steel angles and channels, steel sheets, wood and canvas for the construction. The new bus (complete with a 1927 Ford Model T chassis) was sold to Frank Slade of Marshallville, Georgia to be used as a school bus.
“Blue Bird embodies the ingenuity and resourcefulness of one man,” said Patricia Mooradian, president of the institution. “By taking one innovation, the Model T, and using it as the foundation for his school bus, Mr. Luce changed the paradigm of transportation for school-age children in terms of safety and reliability. Within eight years, all major school bus manufacturers were producing steel-body buses.”
By 1932 the Depression had reduced car sales so seriously that Luce sold his Ford agencies and concentrated full-time on manufacturing school buses. He named his new company Blue Bird Body Company. Today, Blue Bird Corporation remains one of the nation’s major school bus manufacturers.
Yancey Bus Sales & Service is the exclusive Blue Bird School Bus dealer in Georgia and Alabama.
“Donating Blue Bird No. 1 to The Henry Ford at this time is meaningful to me for many reasons,” said Albert L. “Buddy” Luce, Jr., son of Albert Luce, Sr. “Last year was the 80th anniversary of Blue Bird Body Company (now Blue Bird Corporation) and I feel this is a great way to acknowledge that milestone. In addition, 2008 is the centennial of the Model T Ford. Blue Bird No. 1 will be a valuable addition to the collection of this great institution.”
Blue Bird No. 1 will go on display in Henry Ford Museum in May, 2008.
About Blue Bird
Blue Bird Corporation is one of the world’s leading bus manufacturers, delivering thousands of school buses, commercial buses and recreational vehicles to the market each year.
Founded in 1927, Blue Bird has grown to approximately 1,800 employees. For 80 years, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Blue Bird has an extensive network of dealers and service-parts facilities throughout North America.
About The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford, located in Dearborn, Mich. was founded in 1929 by automotive pioneer Henry Ford. This history destination includes Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre, The Benson Ford Research Center and The Ford Rouge Factory Tour. The Henry Ford, America’s Greatest History attraction, is the history destination that brings the American experience to life.