In 1963, the Blue Bird Body Company, which was the fourth-largest manufacturer of school busses in the United States, wanted to take advantage of the emerging trend of motorhomes being marketed in the country and built the Blue Bird Transit Home. A prototype based on the Blue Bird All American bus, the Transit Home was driven by employees on a promotional tour, stopping and staying at campgrounds around the country in an attempt to build interest. The tour didn’t generate anything, and Blue Bird thought to cancel the program, until House Beautiful published an article about the Transit Home and the company began receiving orders. With a base price around $12,000, or roughly $110,000 today, the Transit Home was not inexpensive, but it boasted unique features such as electrical hot water and redundant heating systems, built-in safes and fuel tanks good for around 600 miles of range. The first production Wanderlodge was completed in 1965 and continued to evolve through the years into one of the nation’s preeminent motorhomes, with customers largely dictating exactly how they wanted their motorhomes outfitted and equipped. The final Wanderlodge was built in 2009 and sold for over $1 million. This 2001 Wanderlodge LXI is a Millennium Edition, a special package with many upgraded standard amenities. Featuring an electrically operated, double-sliding body for an expanded living room and bedroom, this coach is powered by a 12.7L/500 HP Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine with an automatic transmission and shows just under 25,000 miles on the odometer. Custom finished in black and tan with a number of polished components throughout, the interior is comprised of chairs and couches upholstered with tan leather or microsuede, solid woodwork and cabinetry, a dining booth, rooftop air conditioning units, a full-sized bed, a Sony AM/FM stereo system, a shower and restroom, custom flooring and an ocean of luxurious custom touches throughout, exhibiting the A-Class nature of the Millennium Edition Wanderlodge. Riding on an Air Ride suspension system, the Blue Bird is equipped with power steering, power brakes and power front bucket seats, as well as polished aluminum wheels on a double rear axle chassis.
