Coach History

Initial Service

Orignially build as an MV 39-4572, later designated as MV-620-D.

For those unfamiliar with this coach, it’s a prototype built by Mack to compete with the Scenicruiser. Although Greyhound decided to stick with the ‘Cruiser, this coach operated for a number of years as executive transportation at Mack and for several bus operators.

Museum of Bus Transportation

This story as told by Royal Coach:

Built for Greyhound as part of a demonstration project fully funded by Mack, the MV-620-D operated in regular Greyhound line service from 1958 through 1960 between Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles via Salt Lake City. In addition to the MV-620, the project included a PD 4104 and two (2) PD 4501’s powered with a complete Mack drive train.

The MV-620 project was considered an engineering success. However, the demonstration was abruptly terminated in 1960 after a change in Greyhound senior management occurred. Subsequently, Greyhound became deeply involved with MCI, developing the MC-5, MC-6 and MC-7. The Mack project provided a plattorm of learning that was utilized later by Greyhound and Motor Coach Industries.

In 1964, Schenectady Street Railway (NY) purchased the MV-620 from Mack and painted it cream and green for their charter affiliate “Nation Wide Tours.” The MV-620 saw service throughout the U.S. until 1969 when it was sold to George Kistler, Jr., Inc., a fire equipment sales company in Allen-town, Pennsylvania, who utilized the coach for company transportation.

Mack Trucks, Inc. regained ownership of the MV-620 in 1972, placing the coach in company service as Bulldog Surface Lines. Initially Mack painted the coach black, white, and gold. In 1974, in preparation for the 1976 Bicenten-nial, the MV-620 was painted white, including the bright metal below the beltline, accented with red and blue paint, and Mack logos. The coach was easily recognized! It attracted attention traveling throughout the Northeast on company trips until 1985. After this time, the coach was used in local area company service around Mack World Headquarters in Allentown, Penn-sylvania. In 1988, it was determined to have outlived its usefulness for the Mack organization.

During 1990, Mack Trucks, Inc. sold the MV-620. The coach is now part of the Royal Coach collection and is maintained by Wolf’s Bus Lines, Inc., York Springs, Pennsylvania. Its final public showing in the Mack patriotic paint scheme was at the September 1990 Fall Bus Bash East.

Today, the MV-620 proudly displays its original two-tone blue, black, white, and gold Greyhound paint design and markings. Extensive body restoration work and painting was accomplished by Bill Shoop (Coach and Truck Refinishing), Reedsville, Pennsylvania. Its original destination roll sign is in place including the points the coach served while in Greyhound Service, the white dog logo on blue, SPECIAL, CHARTER, the Nation Wide Tours signs, the black MACK letters on white, and the Bulldog Surface Lines sign.

Future use of the MV-620, although maintained to current charter coach standards, will be limited to display at activities associated with the Motor Coach Industry and restored vehicles functions.
Photos and information relating to past activity

– The Million Dollar Bus – Royal Coach brochure

Service History

Some of the most famous Chrysler products in history have come from the marque’s iconic “Forward Look” era. Design chief Virgil Exner penned low-slung, long cars adorned with sweeping curves and prominent fins. Forward Look cars looked graceful, futuristic, and fast. Have you ever wondered what might happen if you scaled Forward Look design up to a commercial vehicle? The closest thing might be this, the Mack MV-620-D. This beauty, which even had tailfins, failed to unseat General Motors as the king of people movers, but it might be one of the best-looking classic buses to ever hit America’s roads.

The Autopian  

What People Love

This thing is so cool, it even has tailfins!

Current Owner

Current Owner: Frank Gonzalez