Details of Cars

MCI MC-12: the last of the MC series

MCI

Former Greyhound MCI MC-12 in Juneau
A former Greyhound MCI MC-12 in Juneau, Alaska. Photo by TheTransitFanNY, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The MCI MC-12 was the final model of the MC series, built from 1991 to 1998. It looked much like the late MC-9 Special, was designed mainly for Greyhound, and was the last MCI coach with the slanted rear cap.

MCI MC-12 at a glance

MCI MC-12 key facts
Production 1991–1998
Length 40 ft
Width 96 in
Designed for Greyhound Lines
Also sold as a prisoner transport vehicle
Design similar to the late MC-9 Special
Last of the slanted rear cap on an MCI
Series MC, 1958–1998

There is no separate Wikipedia article on the MC-12: this page is based on the MC-series table and history of the English Wikipedia article on Motor Coach Industries, so it relies on one source.

History of the MCI MC-12

The last MC

The MC-12 appeared in 1991 as the successor to the MC-9 and stayed in production until 1998, making it the last coach to carry an MC designation. Its appearance was similar to that of the previous MC-9 Special, and it was the last MCI model with a slanted rear cap.

For Greyhound

The MC-12 was designed for Greyhound Lines, the company that had owned MCI since 1958 and remained its largest customer. In December 1986 Greyhound had been split, with Greyhound Lines sold to an investor group while Greyhound Lines of Canada, MCI and TMC stayed part of The Greyhound Corporation, renamed Dial, Inc. in 1991, so the coach appeared just as the two companies’ long relationship was being reorganised.

Other uses

Besides scheduled service, the MC-12 was also sold as a prisoner transport vehicle. By the time it was discontinued MCI had moved to the alphanumerical D-series, introduced in 1992 as the first 45-foot MCI coach, and the MC name was not used again.

Design and features

  • Last MC: the final coach of a series that began with the MC-1 in 1959.
  • Slanted rear cap: the last MCI model to use it.
  • MC-9 Special looks: the body followed the last of the MC-9 line.
  • Prison version: also sold for prisoner transport.

MCI MC-12 versions

  • MC-12 (1991–1998): the standard coach.
  • Prisoner transport version: sold alongside the passenger coach.

The coach it replaced is described in MCI MC-9, and the D-series that followed it in MCI D4500. More coaches are in the MCI collection.

Video: 1994 MCI MC-12 of Greyhound Lines

Video on YouTube.

Sources

More from MCI