Yes. A full-size, reportedly roadworthy version of Cyclops was built for the 1976 comedy The Big Bus. But the film’s 75-ton weight, 32 wheels and extravagant onboard amenities describe the fictional bus—not a verified specification sheet or complete interior inventory for the physical prop.
What is Cyclops in The Big Bus?
The Big Bus is a 1976 comedy that spoofs disaster movies. Its story follows the maiden journey of Cyclops, a nuclear-powered bus traveling from New York to Denver. Paramount Pictures and Kino Lorber describe the fictional vehicle as a 75-ton monster with 32 wheels (Paramount Pictures; Kino Lorber).
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Big Bus | $16.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![The Big Bus [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51M5BNVNB6L._SL160_.jpg)
|
The Big Bus [DVD] | $41.72 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Big Bus [DVD-R]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-SXYpvt1L._SL160_.jpg)
|
Big Bus [DVD-R] | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
![The Big Bus (1976) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - France ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51QuPIywLbS._SL160_.jpg)
|
The Big Bus (1976) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - France ] | $50.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Big Bus | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The movie also imagines extravagant features such as a cocktail bar, bowling alley and swimming pool. Those are elements of the story, not evidence that the actual prop had a fully equipped, passenger-ready interior. Kino Lorber lists the film at 88 minutes, in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio; the American Film Institute records a Los Angeles opening on June 23, 1976, and credits Joel Schiller with production design (AFI catalog).
How was the full-size bus reportedly built?
A 2026 account by Hackaday says the production constructed a full-size, roadworthy prop rather than relying only on a scale model. According to that report, it used two cab-over International truck sections joined by an articulated connection. A second operator reportedly steered the rear section in response to radio instructions from the driver at the front, and the connection had a quick-release mechanism. The exterior body was described as a fiberglass shell (Hackaday, January 8, 2026).
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Item name: The Big Bus
- Product type: PHYSICAL MOVIE
- Brand: PARAMOUNT PICTURES
These are details reported secondhand from a video discussing the build; the original 1976 Bus World feature about the construction was not available in the cited account. The description supports the broad point that a functioning, articulated full-size prop was made, but it is not a complete or independently verified engineering record. Hackaday also reports a construction-cost estimate of $250,000–$500,000 in 1976 dollars, attributed to that video. It is an estimate, not a confirmed production budget.
Did the real prop have 32 wheels and the movie’s amenities?
Paramount and Kino Lorber both give the fictional Cyclops 32 wheels and a weight of 75 tons. Those synopsis figures do not establish that the physical prop was separately measured at 75 tons or had exactly the same wheel count. Likewise, the film’s bowling alley, pool and other luxuries should not be treated as a reliable inventory of the build. Hackaday’s account describes a limited functional interior, including the visible cockpit and bar, rather than a fully built-out passenger space.
Rank #2
What happened to the Cyclops bus?
A 2010 Jalopnik report says the full-size prop was scrapped after filming and points to David Sandmeier’s 1976 Bus World construction feature as a source on the original build (Jalopnik, February 16, 2010). The available account does not establish an exact scrapping date, the reason it was disposed of or a documented chain of custody.
That report also says the bus appeared in the 1976 Los Angeles Bicentennial Parade and made a promotional trip from Los Angeles to San Diego. These appearances are part of the historical reporting, rather than independently verified parade or trip records.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteQuick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- The Big Bus (1976)
- The Big Bus (1976)
Rank #3
- Factory sealed DVD
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
