Few symbols of the American national park experience are as instantly recognizable—or as beloved—as the Red Jammer tour buses of Glacier National Park. With their bright red paintwork, long hoods, rollback canvas roofs, and rowed seating, these classic vehicles have been part of Glacier’s identity for generations. For many visitors, spotting—or riding—one is just as essential as seeing mountain goats on Logan Pass or photographing the turquoise waters of Lake McDonald.
Origins: The White Motor Company Touring Fleet
The story of Glacier’s tour buses begins in the 1930s, when the White Motor Company produced the Model 706 specifically for use in America’s national parks. These buses were part of a major tourism initiative during the early automobile age, encouraging visitors to enjoy the scenery without navigating steep grades, narrow ledges, or gravel surfaces themselves.
Glacier received 35 buses between 1936 and 1939, all painted in their now-trademark shade known as “Glacier Red.” Their design included:
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A long wheelbase for multiple rows of passengers
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A leather roll-back convertible top for open-air sightseeing
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A chauffeur-style cab
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Low gearing suited for steep mountain ascents
White Motor Company built similar fleets for Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Mount Rainier, but Glacier’s are the most intact and best preserved today.
Why “Jammers”?
The nickname “Jammer” came from the original fleet’s manual transmissions. Drivers—many of whom were seasonal college workers—had to “jam” the gears while climbing the narrow and winding Going-to-the-Sun Road. In the early years, this was a badge of skill and courage: a wrong move could leave the vehicle stalled, overheated, or inching backward toward a cliff edge.
When automatic transmissions were installed decades later, many longtime operators joked that the buses could no longer really be called Jammers—but the name remained, and today it refers to the buses themselves as much as the drivers.
Retirement—or Rebirth
By the late 1990s, the aging fleet was showing its age. Safety concerns and mechanical wear led many to assume the Red Jammers would be quietly phased out. Instead, thanks to public pressure and corporate sponsorship, a landmark restoration program began.
Between 2001 and 2002, all surviving buses were:
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Carefully disassembled and sandblasted
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Rebuilt with modern Ford E-Series chassis and V-8 engines
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Updated with improved braking and suspension systems
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Repainted and fitted with original-style rollback tops
To reduce environmental impact, many were later converted to operate on propane, cutting emissions dramatically while keeping the historical experience intact.
The Red Jammers Today
The restored fleet continues to operate during the summer season, offering guided tours to visitors through Glacier’s mountain passes, valleys, and historic overlooks. Passengers still experience:
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The open-air ride
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The panoramic views
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The storytelling and humor of veteran drivers
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The tradition of waving to passing motorists and hikers
Their presence has become so iconic that many visitors associate the sound of their engines and the flash of red against mountain scenery with Glacier itself.
