Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) recently secured an order to supply the U.S. General Services Administration with 100 FCCC MB-65 commercial bus chassis.

Farber Specialty Vehicles, based in Columbus, Ohio, will customize the buses that will be built on the FCCC MB-65. The buses will be used for routine patient transportation at Veterans Administration hospitals across the country. Farber Specialty Vehicles chose Glaval Bus bodies equipped with FCCC chassis because of the superior design, durability and reliability of the FCCC MB-65.

Powered by the Allison automatic six-speed transmission and an EPA 2010 Cummins ISB 6.7-liter engine with up to 300 hp, the FCCC MB-65 is designed with a lowered engine for a flat-floor cockpit that offers convenience and flexibility to bus body builders. Its front and rear Hendrickson SOFTEK Taper Leaf Suspension provides a smooth ride and superior handling, while an industry-best 55-degree wheel cut adds outstanding maneuverability.

Farber develops buses and vans for applications ranging from law enforcement vehicles to mobile classrooms and veterinary facilities.

The FCCC MB-65 chassis will be shipped to Glaval Bus in Elkhart, Ind., where Glaval, a subcontractor for Farber, will build the commercial bus body onto the FCCC MB-65s. Farber will complete the customization for the Veterans Administration buses.

FCCC will manufacture 72 MB-65 chassis with a 190-inch wheel base and a 26,000 GVWR for a 26-foot body, which will not require a CDL to operate. The remaining 28 FCCC MB-65 chassis will have a 276-inch wheel base and a 32,000 GVWR for a 32-foot body.

FCCC will begin production of the MB-65 chassis to fulfill the order this month, with work expected to continue into 2012. Farber estimates the first buses for the order will be completed in January.