Model · Blue Bird Wanderlodge
Blue Bird Wanderlodge LXi
The LXi was the longer of the two Wanderlodge lines introduced for 1998. The Vintage Birds owners’ club lists it in 41- and 43-foot lengths with a 500-horsepower Detroit Diesel Series 60 through 2003, plus a 40-foot Millennium Limited Edition for 2000. Wikipedia says the 1998 LXi was among the first motorcoaches with slide-out rooms.
Photo: bus-stuff.com (brand photo)
About this model
For 1998 Blue Bird replaced the Wide Body with a new generation based on its LTC-40 intercity coach. The LXi was the longer of the two new models. Vintage Birds lists it as the WB-41 LXi and WB-43 LXi with a 500-horsepower Series 60 and a restyled exterior; Wikipedia adds projector-beam headlamps and a much larger windshield than before.
For 2000 the club lists a 40-foot LXi Millennium Limited Edition beside the 43-foot coach. For 2001 the exterior was updated for the last time, and Vintage Birds says Blue Bird then worked to make the LXi lighter: the front axle rating rose in steps from 14,400 to 16,000 pounds, fuel capacity fell from 300 to 260 gallons, and the roof skin changed to stretched aircraft aluminum. A 500-horsepower Cummins M11 was offered as an option, but few were built. By 2002 every coach had one or two slide-outs.
The club shows the 41- and 43-foot LXi through 2003 and only the M380 for 2004. The 45-foot coach that followed is recorded as the M450 LXi.