First steel-bodied school bus donated to Henry Ford museum

Blue Bird No. 1

March 10, 2008 An unique slice of American automotive history has been acquired by the The 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.”

Following the Depression Luce sold his Ford agencies and concentrated full-time on manufacturing school buses. His new company Blue Bird Body Company is still in operation today.

“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.”

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MV Agusta and WallyPower create a limited edition 910R

March 6, 2008 Italian Motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta is to add two new limited addition versions of its new Brutale 910 R naked bikes in conjunction with two of Southern Europe’s most stylish design companies. The already announced Hydrogen Brutale 910 R, in conjunction with clothing manufacturer Hydrogen, will be joined by a Wally Brutale 910 R, both with stunning visuals and a LOT of mid range. Wally is the Monaco-based designer of outrageous luxury boats.

The MV Agusta Brutale Hydrogen and Wally derive from the 910R version and keep the same elegant lines that are so much loved by the general public.

MV Agusta and WallyPower create a limited edition 910R

Monaco-based Wally Yachts has become a maritime design and manufacture icon since it was founded in 1994 by wealthy Italian yachtsman Luca Bassani. The company achieved international prominence with its stylish, sleek, minimalist designs within the industry very quickly, but winning the Millennium Yacht Design Award really put the company on the map.

The award was won by the company’s distinctive 118 WallyPower and the company now produces the most visually arresting high end sail and motor yachts, from the Nano 11-meter day sailer/racer through to boats such as the gorgeous Wally 50M, which is 50 meters in length.

Only 100 of each model will be produced worldwide, offering a degree of exclusivity and retained value to the machinery.

Exxon Mobil helping to develop electric cars

As odd as it sounds, the world’s largest oil refiner Exxon Mobil is helping to develop new battery technology for a range of new petrol-electric hybrids and all-electric vehicles. Using a component it developed for mobile phone batteries, Exxon Mobil is now working on improving batteries for use in cars and believes that hybrid vehicles will one day command a large share of the market.
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MV Agusta and WallyPower create a limited edition 910R

March 11, 2008 Like a number of vehicle concepts we've encountered in recent years such as the NARO Tilting Car and the VentureOne plug-in hybrid, the Lumeneo Smera aims to create a "best of both worlds" blend of car and motorcycle by combining the protection of an enclosed driver capsule with the small-footprint and maneuverability of two-wheeled transport. On debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the four-wheel, fully-electric Smera concept boasts a top speed of 80mph (130kmh), a 93 mile (150km) range on a single charge and can achieve 0-60 mph in around 8 seconds with an on-board computer automatically controlling the vehicle's tilting function to an angle of up to 25 degrees by taking into account on the turning angle, speed and road conditions.

Measuring under 8 feet in length, just 2.6 feet wide (2.4 x 0.8m) and weighing 770 lbs (350kg), the diminutive Smera is powered by two 20hp electric motors with a belt drive delivering power directly to the rear wheels. Described as a 1+1 seater (ie. two people can fit but leave the luggage at home), the zero local emissions car uses a lithium ion battery pack which can be recharged via a conventional mains outlet.

Inside the Smera features leather upholstery with an LCD information screen with the vehicle's tall stance ensuring that the driver wont get lost in city traffic.

French manufacturer Lumeneo is expected to bring the Smera to market next year but no word on price as yet.

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