Volare 4X4 - Brazilian 4WD minibus

Brazilian countryside can be rough, and the same may often apply to the outskirts of big cities or other operating scenarios that may require a more specialized approach for a job to get done. Initially catering to the school bus segment, Marcopolo's subsidiary Volare developed the Volare 4X4 in partnership with Agrale and benefitting from the 4-wheel drive experience Agrale had even before it started producing the Marruá utility vehicle series.

With a Cummins ISF3.8 engine and a 5-speed manual transmission, and a dual-range transfer case, the Volare 4X4 also found its way on segments other than rural school buses, also being possible to spot it on construction sites and other demanding off-road environments. The articulated rear bumper means it can have a rear overhang more similar to a normal 2-wheel drive model, while still allowing a greater departure angle while off-roading.

Possibly the last remaining International KB-1 from my hometown

Took these pictures in August 2011, and since then I had only seen it again a handful of times while passing in front of an apartment complex where it could be seen from the street at the carport.

Pictures don't show it, but it had a Ford steering wheel, which considering how hard it might be to find spare parts for its stock Blue Diamond engine might suggest a repowering with either a Ford 221 "Falcon Six" or some MWM Diesel engine fitted to a Brazilian derivative of the F-Series, even though I have never seen it running in order to identify by the engine sound if it's a gasser or a Diesel.