Michael Satterfield
TGR Staff
Public transportation used to be a lot prettier, and if you happened to be touring the US in the 30s, 40s, or 50s there is a good chance you would ride on one of these classics tour buses. The Mount Rainier Kenworth Tour Bus was originally put into service in 1937 transporting visitors to Mount Rainier from local hotels up until 1962. Logging thousands of miles showing travelers nature’s wonder the bus was eventually sold to a private owner and eventually parked.
Legacy Classic Trucks, who is better known for its radical restomod Power Wagons, focused more on restoring this classic piece of Americana. Powered by a six-cylinder Hercules JXD engine mated to the vehicle’s original manual five-speed transmission, which produces up to 130 horsepower. The first three gears are all compound low gears that originally assisted in climbing and descending the steep mountain passes of Mt. Rainier. Legacy also upgraded the bus with 20×6 Budd wheels and Bias Ply Tires to retain a period-correct aesthetic.
Legacy thoroughly restored the long body bus, which underwent rust-repair and re-painting in the flame-red shade that became a classic hallmark of the buses. Retro-style gauges adorn all instrumentation paneling while every sconce was restored to its original look to ensure a true 1930’s era feel for all travelers. The patina’d wood flooring is also original to the vehicle. Legacy did upgrade the bench seating with leather made from 23 hides of imported Italian leather to allow passengers to ride in complete comfort. In total, the bus can seat up to 18 people in the cabin, which features an open-top canopy system that allows passengers to see everything while driving.
The fully restored Legacy Mount Rainier Kenworth Tour Bus is available, priced at $580,000 for more information visit www.legacyclassictrucks.com.
