1991 MCI Canepa Design Prototype

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In 1990, MCI engaged Canepa Design to create a coach for their upscale clientele. Already known for their aero work on big rigs from Peterbilt and Kenworth, Bruce and his team set to work on creating an ultimate coach experience. Only two were ever built, one for Roger Penske and the second one for Bruce Canepa.

This coach has the most extensive exterior upgrade package of any MCI coach ever built, with over $350,000 invested to this point of completion. At the MCI factory the roof was raised 6” for additional head clearance, and a center door added for increased accessibility. Custom upgrades abound, including: a body kit valued at over $100,000 (see below for details,) a souped-up Detroit Diesel courtesy of Penske, suspension upgrades to eliminate body roll, and custom wheels and wheel covers. Exactly what you would expect of a bus designed by a racecar driver and engineer.

This is a brand new chassis and body. This bus has never been registered, and is currently under the manufacturer’s Statement of Origin. The interior is conversion ready. The mileage reflects only the transportation from the manufacturing plant in Canada to MCI’s research and development center in Roswell New Mexico, then to Detroit Diesel, and then to Canepa in California.

Roof raised six inches over the standard MCI coach for increased head room.

40’ x 102’ Exterior

96” interior width

Two custom roof access hatches

Mid-ship side entrance door with integrated stainless steel stairs.

Custom Designed Aerodynamic Electric Operated Mirrors

Custom Front Lower Nose Cap with Halogen Quad Head Lamps

Composite Front Bumper Assembly, Lower Valance, Front and Rear Fender Assemblies and Rear Bumper

Custom Upper Body Panel with Integrated Spoiler and Rear View Camera

Custom Tail Light Assemblies

Custom Fabricated Aluminum Radiator and Air Conditioner Intakes

Full Perimeter Custom Built Stainless Steel Body Moldings

All Hinges Recessed Into Body

Auxiliary Air-intake Scoops

Recessed Third Brake Light

Aerodynamic Spun Aluminum Wheel Covers

Deleted All Emblems, Scripts, etc.

Custom Fabricated Trailer Hitch Assembly

Over the road A/C system

Air Ride Suspension

Air Brakes

500 HP Detroit Diesel Engine

Jacob’s Engine Retarder

Power Steering

Full Instrumentation

Allison Automatic Transmission

Four Custom Built Radius Corner Dual-Pane Tinted Sliding Windows

Aluminum Wheels

12R 22.5 Michelin Radial Tires

Custom Torsion Bar Suspension Upgrade

One inch of Fiberglass Insulation

Pre-painted White Interior Paneling

Custom Smooth Exterior Paneling