Brand new on the market, the Mauck2can be categorized in a special marketthat extends from large vans to small

buses. It offers a proven chassis with aunique body that marks a sharp break fromthe traditional box-on-a-truck chassis oftenfound in this market. Although primarilydesigned for personal transportation, theMauck2 also has merit in smaller commer-cial applications.

While the Mauck2 shares a similar her-itage with the Mauck Special Vehicle thatwas popular in the 1990s, it is a totally dif-ferent vehicle. The Mauck2 is a smaller vehi-cle and uses the proven Mercedes-BenzSprinter chassis that not only is wellregarded but is also known for economicaloperation and low life-cycle costs. So far, theMauck2 vehicles are being built as they sell,in a “ramp-up” mode. Here is the interest-ing story behind the Mauck2 and how it wasdeveloped.

The history behind the Mauck2 is basi-cally the story of Andy Mauck, an Ohionative who “felt that there should be a bet-ter vehicle.” His interest in designing anddeveloping vehicles started in his highschool days when taking road trips to races,concerts and skiing. It expanded when hegained some experience in racing.

Mauck’s interest in vehicle designbrought him to Sutphen Fire Apparatus inColumbus. Here he spent 12 years as a pro-ject engineer. Mauck was responsible for tak-ing the customer specs, the salesman’s pro-posal, and then creating the final builddocuments for the shop to manufactureunique fire trucks.

A family trip in 1990 found Mauck rid-ing on a traditional box type shuttle bus. Thisstarted him thinking that someone had to“create a better mouse trap.” The thoughtlingered and he soon found himself spend-

ing nights and weekends doing conceptdrawings and basic engineering. This, inturn, led to spreadsheets and a businessplan.

In 1991, Mauck left Sutphen Fire Appa-ratus and created what became Mauck Spe-cial Vehicles. His plan was to focus on auniquely styled high-end transportationvehicle for discriminating buyers. A newvehicle was created that was approximatelythe size of a small bus but offering state-of-the-art design and construction techniquesmore integral than body-on-chassis.

By 1998, Mauck Special Vehicles hadgrown into company with 35 staff membersoperating out of a 45,000-square foot facil-ity. More than 80 units had been sold to cus-tomers all over the world including QuincyJones, Alan Jackson, George Forman, Nike,Merv Griffin, Paul Allen and others. Cus-tom Coach Corp. in Columbus, Ohio con-

14 • National Bus Trader / November, 2010

The Mauck2 fits into the special category that ranges from larger vans to smaller buses. Although designed primarily for personal transportation, theMauck2 is also used for commercial applications. One of its major positive features is the use of the proven and economical Mercedes-Benz Sprinterchassis.

Mauck2Mauck2A Step FA Step Forwarorward fd for Small Busesor Small Buses

by Larry PlachnoPhotos courtesy of Mauck2, LLC

verted many of these vehicles with motorhome or personal travel interiors.

The MSV was a very unique vehicle forits day and years ahead of its time. It wasvery attractive and showed very well. Theonly area where it did not excel was the drivetrain, which was unique to the MSV ratherthan an existing chassis. The new Mauck2avoids this issue by using a proven and well-regarded drive train and chassis.

In 1998, Mauck Special Vehicles wasmerged into Advanced Bus Industries, LLC,a group led by several former managementpeople from the defunct Flxible Company.ABI elected to take the MSV concept and cre-ate a 30-foot transit bus version. Since thiswas substantially different than Mauck’sconcept of providing high-end transporta-tion for discriminating buyers, he decidedto voluntarily leave ABI to take advantageof other opportunities.

More recent years found Mauck work-ing for Owen Connaughton at CreativeMobile Interiors. Mauck and Connaughtonoriginally met when Connaughton workedfor Custom Coach Corp. and was responsi-ble for interiors in many of the MSV vehi-cles. In more recent years, Connaughtonfounded Creative Mobile Interiors in GroveCity, Ohio that has developed an enviablereputation for both quality and variety inthe conversion business.

In recent years, CMI has been particu-larly active in converting Sprinters into smallrecreational vehicles and personal travelvehicles, an area that always interestedMauck. While Connaughton credits theSprinter with high marks in quality, econ-omy and durability because of its Mercedes-Benz heritage, he does suggest that manyAmericans would like a wider and moreunique body. Mauck could not resist thatchallenge.

Mauck left CMI and founded a new com-pany in June of 2006 known as High-EndTransport Developments. The initial goal ofthe company was to “raise the bar” on theappearance, quality and aerodynamics ofshuttles, RVs, limousines and other similarmarket segments.

Due to the overwhelming positiveresponse for the proposed design, the com-pany was expanded in May of 2007 followedby a name change to Mauck 2, LLC. Plansfor a prototype were completed in Augustof 2009 and then weld and assembly fixtureswere created. The prototype emerged fromthe factory in April of 2009. Executive CoachBuilders installed a limo interior and showedit at the Limousine, Charter and Tour Show

in Las Vegas in January, 2010. It was animmediate attention-getter.

The Mauck2 body is designed specificallyfor the 3500 170-inch wheelbase cab-chassisSprinter. It would be difficult to find a bet-ter platform for a vehicle of this size.Designed by Mercedes-Benz, the Sprinterhas been made in Germany for more than10 years. More than one million Sprintersare in service around the world. They havea reputation for economical operation, dura-bility and low life-cycle costs. Fleets ofSprinters are currently in use by both largeand smaller delivery companies.

The Mauck2 body is open all the way tothe cab. Standard features include a pas-

16 • National Bus Trader / November, 2010

A major advantage of the Mauck2 body is that it offers 10 more inches ofspace between the walls at the floor level than the standard Sprinter body.This provides considerably more space for interior customization.

Several options are available on the Mauck2 including an automatic rearhatch, wheel and suspension upgrades and various HVAC upgrades. Thisunit offers an underfloor compartment and special rear compartment.

Many years of vehicle design and engineering experience are behind the Mauck2. One of its majorgoals was to move away from the box-on-a-truck chassis concept and into an attractive body on ahigh quality chassis. Production of the Mauck2 takes place at this facility in Columbus, Ohio.

senger sedan-style door on the right side,automotive-type bonded windows withvented lower sections, and a top-hingedrear hatch with a window. Like the bigcoaches, the frame structure is made fromsteel tubes with larger square tubes forfloor support. Composite flooring is stan-dard. Optionally available areacoustic/thermal barrier materials and gal-vanized underlayments.

Body panels on the Mauck2 are gel-coated fiberglass, bonded to the frame.Optionally available are wall and ceilinginsulation treatments per customer specifi-cations. The body is approximately 16 feetand four inches long from the back of thecab with 85 inches of rear overhang. Exter-nally, the body is 85 inches wide and 83inches high from the top of the frame. Theinterior height is 78 and a half inches. Oneof the best advantages of the Mauck2 is thatthe interior is 80 inches wide at the base ofthe car hoops, providing 10 inches more inte-rior room than the conventional Sprinterbody.

Body wiring is in a standard harness ina protective loom and numbered. The sidebody windows and rear hatch windows aremade from tempered safety glass and offera 12 percent privacy tint. The body weightis 1,915 pounds. Since the Sprinter has aGVWR of 11,000 pounds with a 4,700-poundchassis, this leaves more than 4,000 poundsfor the interior and payload.

There are several options available on theMauck2. These include rocker compart-ments, an automatic entry step, an auto-mated rear hatch, and wheel/suspension

upgrades. Auxiliary air conditioning andheating systems are available, a deep-wellin the rear roof underwing can be providedfor concealed installation of rooftop air con-ditioning units, and various brackets, sup-ports and mounts are available for gensets,

tanks and other accessories. Custom finishpaint can be provided to customer specifi-cations. In addition, the Mauck2 can be sub-stantially modified to meet various specialvehicle needs.

Currently, the Mauck2 vehicles are beingbuilt as orders are taken. The original unitwith a limo interior proved to be so popu-lar that a version seating 14 or 15 passengersis being contemplated. Increasingly popu-lar is the Mauck2 Golfmobile/Tailgater per-sonal transportation vehicle that can con-veniently transport two foursomes and theirclubs or provide hospitality at pre-gamegatherings.

Mauck2 has also recently delivered itsfirst Guest Transport Vehicle to the HyattPlace Grandview Yard, in Columbus.Mauck2 did the entire interior conversionin-house, incorporating a few unique fea-tures that make it suitable for additional usesfor the owner. The company plans to mar-ket this new shuttle version to the hospital-ity, corporate and tour segments of the smallbus market.

The Mauck2 is also available fromCreative Mobile Interiors with a smallmotor home interior, as a custom person-alized transportation vehicle, for productdisplay, or a wide range of other interiors.Phone Creative Mobile Interiors at (614)539-4600 or (866) 204-8264 for details andoptions. !

National Bus Trader / November, 2010 • 17

Conversion companies are able to install a wide range of interiors into the Mauck2. Delivered unitshave included a limo interior as well as a hotel shuttle bus. Particularly popular is theGolfmobile/Tailgater that can transport two foursomes for a day of golf or provide hospitality atpre-game gatherings.

Interiors in the Mauck2 can range from a simple shuttle bus with seats to a rather elaborate minimotor home complete with a bed and small galley. Creative Mobile Interiors in Grove City, Ohiohas had some substantial experience in this area and can convert the Mauck2 into a personal orcommercial vehicle for many different purposes and tastes.

From The

November, 2010

issue of

National Bus Trader

9698 W. Judson Road

Polo, Illinois 61064

Phone: (815) 946-2341

www.busmag.com