Party Bus Manufacturers
Party bus manufacturers are the companies that build party buses. The industry is divided between chassis manufacturers — automakers that produce the underlying truck or van platform — and coach builders (also called upfitters or converters) that transform those platforms into finished party buses.
Chassis manufacturers[edit]
Most party buses start life as a chassis or cutaway produced by a major automaker. Common platforms include:
- Ford E-Series (particularly the E450 cutaway)
- Ford F-550 and F-600 Super Duty chassis cabs
- Freightliner M2 medium-duty trucks
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans
- Ford Transit vans
Coach builders[edit]
Coach builders purchase chassis from the automakers and complete the conversion: installing the body shell, interior seating, lighting, audio, and other amenities. Because the finished vehicle is highly customized, builders range from small regional shops to larger national operations. One notable large-vehicle builder is Executive Coach Builders, whose Supercoach XL is a luxury motorcoach built on the Freightliner M2 chassis.
The build process[edit]
A typical party bus build follows several stages:
- A cutaway or stripped chassis is delivered to the coach builder.
- A body shell is fabricated or installed.
- The interior is finished with seating, flooring, and cabinetry.
- Electrical systems — lighting, audio, and video — are installed.
- The vehicle is finished, inspected, and delivered to the operator.