Sometimes enthusiasts forget the real reason why their vehicles exist. If you need a reminder, it's to get you from A to B. Now that can be in comfort, style, or with a wide grin on your face. "Point A" can be home, work, or a friend's house, while "point B" can be anything—that's the point, and it's where our love affair began. The Yellowstone National Park bus might not be the most stylish or comfortable vehicle, but it does exactly what a vehicle is for: gets someone from A to B just like many classic cars. In this case, B is nature and the memories that lie in the protected area of natural beauty.
This icon ran for 30 years and returned to service for the new millennium.
What Is the Yellowstone National Park Tour Bus?
Built from White's 706 bus chassis, the Yellowstone National Park Tour Bus saw introduction in the 1930s. White Motor Company specialized in large diesel vehicles for a range of applications. The company stopped operations in 1980 before its remnants came under Volvo and then General Motors ownership. The 706 operated across all the United States' National Parks, in some areas with a red livery that led to their name "Red Jammer." However, for obvious reasons, a Yellow paint scheme made sense for Yellowstone.
An example featured on the This Old Truck YouTube channel. At nearly 90 years old, the truck still runs. Most examples due to their iconic nature have seen restoration efforts. With a canvas roof, the bus, in decent weather can let all nature in. The host claims that when it came to engines, both the Park Service and White looked for reliability. Landing on an in-line six-cylinder motor. These trucks needed to run constantly and make their way across the imperfect road in Yellowstone. With a 20-inch steering wheel, the bus has a well-thought-out design that counters the lack of power steering. Not all is perfect, without synchronized gears this bus takes plenty of skill to drive. According to Sotheby's, these buses stayed in service for 30 years before seeing replacement in the 1960s.
How Much Is A Yellowstone National Park Tour Bus Worth?
An example from 1936 came up for sale at auction house Sotheby's late last year. According to Sotheby's, only 98 examples of the 706 came in the Yellow paint specifically for Yellowstone. Such low production numbers ensure a high price tag. Although there is going to be less demand for a classic bus than a contemporary Maserati. The bus sold for $550,000, an eye-watering amount.
This particular example saw extensive modifications. Sotheby's list a modern V8 and an Allison three-speed automatic transmission. Such modernization isn't uncommon on these buses. With ample space for 14 passengers and luggage space to the rear, they offer a more unique form of mass transportation. In a 1999 update, the Glacier Park Foundation announced that they would perform a similar modification to the fleet of red, White 706 buses. In what they refer to as the mid-season crisis, they purchased a fleet of Dodge vans while the classic buses came off the road. They acknowledge that the modern Dodge vans have amenities like climate control. However, lacking the character of the 706 the national park opted to maintain its old fleet.