The history of Blue Birds - part 1

Tonight we had the pleasure to hear from Laurence Coppedge, great grandson of Laurence Luce who founded the Blue Bird Bus Company. He was great to listen to, and it was neat to hear about the background of the company and the family behind it.

Young Laurence on his granddad's lap

Laurence Coppedge

Laurence Luce owned Ford dealerships. He did well with them, but felt he could build a better vehicle.

Laurence Luce was very concerned with safety of vehicles that would be transporting children to school.

After repurposing two buildings (a stables and a peach packing plant), the third plant was built in 1935. The Blue Bird Body Company was the first to build with a continuous steel bow, and first all steel body.

Buses on the assembly line

Laurence Coppedge shared about the faith of his great grandparents, and of his family. They had Christian services at the plant about once a week. Laurence Luce shared the gospel with his employees and led many to Christ in his office. He was also very hands-on.

At the very end of the war, as men were coming back home, the factory burned. While they were able to save many of the buses that were in production and some of the equipment, they now needed to rebuild at a time when supplies were not readily available.

Laurence and Helen Luce prayed about their needs and the needed supplies (in the form of repurposed materials) were provided just in time for the building of the new factory. At a time of immense building, Blue Bird had the privilege of having all re-tooled company, ready to hit the ground running at the end of the war.