Here’s to Higher Education

When people hear the phrase “higher education,” usually college or graduate school come to mind.  For very few of us, a giant lifted school bus would be the first mental picture we see.  So for those of you not acquainted with the Monster School Bus named Higher Education, here it is.  Mike Vaters, a 30-year monster truck veteran built it, and Ken Nelson built this huge bus to run over cars, not transport school children. 

They built two fiberglass sections to make up the roof and a fiberglass front clip. The sides of the bus are built from fiberboard donated by Capitol Building Supply in Hagerstown MD, a long time sponsor and supporter of the Black Stallion racing team (Mike’s Monster Truck team). It was completed in 13 days and the paint (school bus yellow) was provided by PPG and painted by the Stallion crew in house.

Vaters wanted the bus to have all the details to make it look as realistic as possible. He fabricated black rub rails to run down the sides and even installed flashing lights and a flip out STOP sign. “We knew Higher Education would be a popular truck but our expectations have been blown away with the response we have gotten from fans this summer” states Vaters when asked about how the kids like the bus.  The lifted bus includes K&N products, since they are Vaters sponsor when he drives Black Stallion. 

SoCal SAYS: It would be awesome if U.S. school systems began using lifted buses to transport kids.  There would be no concerns if the bus gets rear-ended and the drivers could run over a few cars to keep the kids entertained.  In all seriousness, this is a creative take on a lifted bus and wonder if anyone else is thinking about building a street legal one.  That would be head-turner…