EXHIBIT 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
10 3/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006, SERIES B
FOR ANY AND ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING
10 3/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT
5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 1997,
UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED
The Chase Manhattan Bank
(the "Exchange Agent")
BY MAIL, HAND OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
55 Water Street
Room 234
North Building
New York, New York 10041
Attention: Carlos Esteves
BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
(FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY):
(212) 638-7375
(212) 344-9367
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
Carlos Esteves: (212) 638-0828
Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above or
transmission of instructions via a facsimile number other than the ones listed
above will not constitute a valid delivery. The instructions accompanying this
Letter of Transmittal should be read carefully before this Letter of Transmittal
is completed.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated December
, 1996 (the "Prospectus") of Blue Bird Body Company (the "Company") and this
Letter of Transmittal, which together constitute the Company's offer (the
"Exchange Offer") to exchange $1,000 principal amount of its 10 3/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2006, Series B (the "Exchange Notes"), which have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
pursuant to a Registration Statement of which the Prospectus is a part, for each
$1,000 principal amount of its outstanding 10 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2006 (the "144A Notes"), respectively. The term "Expiration Date" shall mean
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 1997, unless the Exchange Offer
is extended, in which case the term "Expiration Date" means the latest date and
time to which the Exchange Offer is extended. Capitalized terms used but not
defined herein have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.
YOUR BANK OR BROKER CAN ASSIST YOU IN COMPLETING THIS FORM. THE INSTRUCTIONS
INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE FOLLOWED. QUESTIONS AND
REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
List on the next page the 144A Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal
relates. If the space indicated is inadequate, the Certificate or Registration
Numbers and Principal Amounts should be listed on a separately signed schedule
affixed hereto.
DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES TENDERED HEREBY
AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF CERTIFICATE OR AMOUNT PRINCIPAL
REGISTERED OWNER(S) REGISTRATION REPRESENTED AMOUNT
(PLEASE FILL IN) NUMBERS* BY 144A NOTES TENDERED**
TOTAL
* Need not be completed by Book-entry Holders.
** Unless otherwise indicated, the Holder will be deemed to have tendered the
full aggregate principal amount represent by such 144A Notes. All tenders
must be in integral multiples of $1,000.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used (i) if certificates of 144A Notes
are to be forwarded herewith, (ii) if delivery of 144A Notes is to be made by
book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The
Depository Trust Company (the "Depository" or "DTC"), pursuant to the
procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering" in the
Prospectus or (iii) tender of the 144A Notes is to be made according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Prospectus under the caption
"The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." See Instruction 2.
Delivery of documents to a book-entry transfer facility does not constitute
delivery to the Exchange Agent.
The term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person in
whose name 144A Notes are registered on the books of the Company or any other
person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered
holder. The undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter of
Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with
respect to the Exchange Offer. Holders who wish to tender their 144A Notes
must complete this letter in its entirety.
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED 144A NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER MADE TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE
DEPOSITORY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution ____________________________________________
/ / The Depository Trust Company
Account Number ___________________________________________________________
Transaction Code Number __________________________________________________
Holders whose 144A Notes are not immediately available or who cannot
deliver their 144A Notes and all other documents required hereby to the
Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date must tender their 144A Notes
according to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in the Prospectus
under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." See
Instruction 2.
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED 144A NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE
OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Registered Holder(s) _____________________________________________
Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery ____________________
_________________________________________________________________________
If delivery by book-entry transfer:
Account Number __________________________________________________
Transaction Code Number _________________________________________
/ / CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10
ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR
SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
Name _________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________
2
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of the 144A Notes
indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of
such 144A Notes tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby exchanges, assigns and
transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right, title and interest in
and to such 144A Notes as are being tendered hereby, including all rights to
accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of the Expiration Date. The undersigned
hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent the true and
lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned (with full knowledge that
said Exchange Agent acts as the agent of the Company in connection with the
Exchange Offer) to cause the 144A Notes to be assigned, transferred and
exchanged. The undersigned represents and warrants that it has full power and
authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the 144A Notes and to acquire
Exchange Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered 144A Notes, and that
when the same are accepted for exchange, the Company will acquire good and
unencumbered title to the tendered 144A Notes, free and clear of all liens,
restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim.
The undersigned represents to the Company that (i) the Exchange Notes
acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary
course of business of the person receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not
such person is the undersigned; (ii) neither the undersigned nor any such other
person has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of such Exchange Notes; and (iii) the undersigned and any such
other person acknowledge that, if they are participating in the Exchange Offer
for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes, (a) they cannot rely on the
position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission enunciated in
EXXON CAPITAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION (available April 13, 1989), MORGAN STANLEY &
CO., INC. (available June 5, 1991) or similar no-action letters and, in the
absence of an exemption therefrom, must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with the
resale transaction and (b) failure to comply with such requirements in such
instance could result in the undersigned or any such other person incurring
liability under the Securities Act for which such persons are not indemnified by
the Company. If the undersigned or the person receiving the Exchange Notes
covered by this letter is an affiliate (as defined under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act) of the Company, the undersigned represents to the Company that
the undersigned understands and acknowledges that such Exchange Notes may not be
offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by the undersigned or such
other person without registration under the Securities Act or an exemption
therefrom. If the exchange offeree is a broker-dealer holding 144A Notes
acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale of Exchange Notes received in
respect of such 144A Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed
to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
The undersigned also warrants that it will, upon request, execute and
deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to
be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of
tendered 144A Notes or transfer ownership of such 144A Notes on the account
books maintained by a book-entry transfer facility. The undersigned further
agrees that acceptance of any tendered 144A Notes by the Company and the
issuance of Exchange Notes in exchange therefor shall constitute performance in
full by the Company of its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement
and that the Company shall have no further obligations or liabilities thereunder
for the registration of the 144A Notes or the Exchange Notes.
The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Conditions." The undersigned
recognizes that as a result of these conditions (which may be waived, in whole
or in part, by the Company), as more particularly set forth in the Prospectus,
the Company may not be required to exchange any of the 144A Notes tendered
hereby and, in such event, the 144A Notes not exchanged will be returned to the
undersigned at the address shown below the signature of the undersigned.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the
death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned
hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors
and assigns of the undersigned. Tendered 144A Notes may be withdrawn at any time
prior to the Expiration Date.
3
Unless otherwise indicated in the box entitled "Special Registration
Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instruction" in this Letter
of Transmittal, certificates for all Exchange Notes delivered in exchange for
tendered 144A Notes, and any 144A Notes delivered herewith but not exchanged,
will be registered in the name of the undersigned and shall be delivered to the
undersigned at the address shown below the signature of the undersigned. If an
Exchange Note is to be issued to a person other than the person(s) signing this
Letter of Transmittal, or if the Exchange Note is to be mailed to someone other
than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person(s)
signing this Letter of Transmittal at an address different than the address
shown on this Letter of Transmittal, the appropriate boxes of this Letter of
Transmittal should be completed. If 144A Notes are surrendered by Holder(s) that
have completed either the box entitled "Special Registration Instructions" or
the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" in this Letter of Transmittal,
signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution (defined in Instruction 4).
SPECIAL REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if the Exchange To be completed ONLY if the Exchange
Notes are to be issued in the name of someone Notes are to be sent to someone other
offer than the undersigned. than the undersigned, or to the undersigned
at an address other than that shown under
"Description of Senior Subordinated Notes
Tendered Hereby."
Name: Name:
Address: Address:
Book-Entry Transfer Facility Account:
Employer Identification or Social Security
Number:
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE) (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE)
4
REGISTERED HOLDER(S) OF 144A NOTES SIGN HERE
(IN ADDITION, COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 BELOW)
X ______________________________________________________________________________
X ______________________________________________________________________________
(SIGNATURE(S) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S))
Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on the
144A Notes or on a security position listing as the owner of the 144A Notes or
by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by properly completed
bond powers transmitted herewith. If signature is by attorney-in-fact, trustee,
executor, administrator, guardian, officer of a corporation or other person
acting in a fiduciary capacity, please provide the following information.
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE):
Name and Capacity (full title): ________________________________________________
Address (including zip code): __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Area Code and Telephone Number: ________________________________________________
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.: ________________________________
Dated: _______________________________
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
(IF REQUIRED--SEE INSTRUCTION 4)
Authorized Signature: __________________________________________________________
(SIGNATURE OF REPRESENTATIVE OF SIGNATURE GUARANTOR)
Name and Title: ________________________________________________________________
Name of Plan: __________________________________________________________________
Area Code and Telephone Number: ________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE)
Dated: _______________________________
5
PAYOR'S NAME: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
THIS SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MUST BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED
PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR OTHER TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON THE FOLLOWING SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 AND CERTIFY THEREIN THAT YOU ARE
SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING.
SUBSTITUTE PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT <*> </*>
FORM W-9 RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW. SOCIAL SECURITY
DEPARTMENT OF THE PART 2--CHECK THE BOX IF YOU ARE NOT SUBJECT TO NUMBER OR EMPLOYEE
TREASURY INTERNAL BACKUP WITHHOLDING UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION IDENTIFICATION
REVENUE SERVICE 3406(A)(1)(C) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE BECAUSE NUMBER
PAYOR'S REQUEST (1) YOU ARE EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING, (2) PART 3-
FOR TAXPAYER YOU HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT YOU ARE SUBJECT TO AWAITING TIN [ ]
IDENTIFICATION BACKUP WITHHOLDING AS A RESULT OF FAILURE TO
NUMBER ("TIN") REPORT ALL INTEREST OR DIVIDENDS OR (3) THE
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE HAS NOTIFIED YOU THAT YOU
ARE NO LONGER SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING. [ ]
CERTIFICATION: UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I
CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS FORM
IS TRUE, CORRECT, AND COMPLETE.
SIGNATURE:<*> </*>
DATE:<*> </*>
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY CASH PAYMENTS
IN EXCESS OF $10.00 MADE TO YOU.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I CERTIFY UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY THAT A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED TO ME,
AND EITHER (A) I HAVE MAILED OR DELIVERED AN APPLICATION TO RECEIVE A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO THE
APPROPRIATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CENTER OR SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, OR (B) I INTEND TO
MAIL OR DELIVER AN APPLICATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I DO NOT PROVIDE A TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WITHIN 60 DAYS, 31% OF ALL REPORTABLE PAYMENTS MADE TO ME THEREAFTER WILL BE WITHHELD,
UNTIL I PROVIDE A NUMBER.
<*> </*> <*> </*>
SIGNATURE DATE
6
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES.
All physically delivered 144A Notes or confirmation of any book-entry
transfer to the Exchange Agent's account at a book-entry transfer facility of
144A Notes tendered by book-entry transfer, as well as a properly completed and
duly executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof, and any
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Exchange Agent at any of its addresses set forth herein on or prior to the
Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus). The method of delivery of this
Letter of Transmittal, the 144A Notes and all other required documents is at the
election and risk of the Holder. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended
that Holders use an overnight or hand delivery service. Except as otherwise
provided below, the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by
the Exchange Agent.
No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be
accepted. All tendering Holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of
the 144A Notes for exchange.
Delivery to an address other than as set forth herein, or instructions via a
facsimile number other than the ones set forth herein, will not constitute a
valid delivery.
2. GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES.
Holders who wish to tender their 144A Notes, and (i) whose Notes are not
immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their 144A Notes, the Letter
of Transmittal or any other required documents to the Exchange Agent (or comply
with the procedures for book-entry transfer) prior to the Expiration Date, may
effect a tender if:
(a) the tender is made through a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States or an "eligible guarantor institution"
within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (an "Eligible
Institution");
(b) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such
Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery)
setting forth the name and address of the Holder of the 144A Notes, the
certificate or registration number(s) of such 144A Notes and the
principal amount of 144A Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being
made thereby and guaranteeing that, within five (5) business days after
the Expiration Date, the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof),
together with the certificate(s) representing the 144A Notes to be
tendered in proper form for transfer (or a confirmation of book-entry
transfer of such 144A Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the
Depository) and any other documents required by the Letter of
Transmittal, will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the
Exchange Agent; and
(c) such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), as well as all tendered 144A Notes in proper form for transfer
(or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such 144A Notes into the
Exchange Agent's account at the Depository) and all other documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Exchange Agent
within five business days after the Expiration Date.
Upon request to the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be
sent to Holders who wish to tender their 144A Notes according to the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth above. Any Holder who wishes to tender 144A Notes
pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above must ensure that
the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery relating to such
Notes prior to the Expiration Date. Failure to complete the guaranteed delivery
procedures outlined above will not, of itself, affect the validity or effect a
revocation of any Letter of Transmittal form properly completed and executed by
a Holder who attempted to use the guaranteed delivery procedures.
7
3. PARTIAL TENDERS; WITHDRAWALS.
If less than the entire principal amount of Notes evidenced by a submitted
certificate is tendered, the tendering Holder should fill in the principal
amount tendered in the column entitled "Principal Amount Tendered" of the box
entitled "Description of Senior Subordinated Notes Tendered Hereby." A newly
issued 144A Note for the principal amount of 144A Notes submitted but not
tendered will be sent to such Holder as soon as practicable after the Expiration
Date. All 144A Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been
tendered in full unless otherwise indicated.
Any 144A Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at
any time prior to the Expiration Date, after which tenders of 144A Notes are
irrevocable. To withdraw a tender of 144A Notes in the Exchange Offer, a written
or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange
Agent by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Any such notice
of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the person having deposited the 144A
Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii) identify the 144A Notes to be
withdrawn (including the certificate or registration number(s) and principal
amount of such 144A Notes, or, in the case of 144A Notes transferred by
book-entry transfer, the name and number of the account at the DTC to be
credited), (iii) be signed by the Depositor in the same manner as the original
signature on this Letter of Transmittal (including any required signature
guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to have the
Trustee with respect to the 144A Notes register the transfer of such 144A Notes
into the name of the Depositor withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify the name
in which any such notes are to be registered, if different from that of the
Depositor and (v) include a statement that such holder is withdrawing his
election to have such 144A Notes exchanged. All questions as to the validity,
form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be
determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final and binding on all
parties. Any 144A Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly
tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no Exchange Notes will be issued
with respect thereto unless the 144A Notes so withdrawn are validly retendered.
Any 144A Notes which have been tendered but which are not accepted for exchange,
will be returned to the Holder thereof without cost to such Holder as soon as
practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of Exchange
Offer.
4. SIGNATURE ON THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; WRITTEN INSTRUMENTS AND
ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the
144A Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as
written on the face of the certificates without alteration or enlargement or any
change whatsoever. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a participant in
the Depository, the signature must correspond with the name as it appears on the
security position listing as the owner of the 144A Notes.
If any of the 144A Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If a number of 144A Notes registered in different names are tendered, it
will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this
Letter of Transmittal as there are different registrations of 144A Notes.
Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless the Notes
tendered hereby are tendered (i) by a registered Holder who has not completed
the box entitled "Special Registration Instructions or "Special Delivery
Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an
Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder or Holders
of 144A Notes (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include a
participant in the Depository whose name appears on a security listing as the
owner of the 144A Notes) listed and tendered hereby, no endorsements of the
tendered 144A Notes or separate written instruments of transfer or exchange are
required. In any other case, the registered Holder (or acting Holder) must
either properly endorse the 144A Notes or transmit properly completed bond
powers with this Letter of Transmittal (in either case, executed exactly as the
name(s) of the registered Holder(s) appear(s) on the 144A Notes, and, with
respect to a participant in the Depository whose name appears on a security
position listing as the owner of 144A Notes, exactly as the name of the
participant appears on such security position listing), with the signature on
the 144A Notes or bond power guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (except where
the 144A Notes are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution).
If this Letter of Transmittal, any certificates or separate written
instruments of transfer or exchange are signed by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or other
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so
indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company, proper evidence
satisfactory to the Company of their authority so to act must be submitted.
8
5. SPECIAL REGISTRATION AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.
Tendering Holders should indicate, in the applicable box, the name and
address (or account at the Depository) in which the Exchange Notes or substitute
144A Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for exchange are
to be issued (or deposited), if different from the names and addresses or
accounts of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of
issuance in a different name, the employer identification number or social
security number of the person named must also be indicated and the tendering
Holder should complete the applicable box.
If no instructions are given, the Exchange Notes (and any 144A Notes not
tendered or not accepted) will be issued in the name of and sent to the acting
Holder of the 144A Notes or deposited at such Holder's account at the
Depository.
6. TRANSFER TAXES.
The Company shall pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange
of 144A Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, certificates
representing Exchange Notes or 144A Notes for principal amounts not tendered or
accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or issued
in the name of, any person other than the registered Holder of the 144A Notes
tendered, or if tendered 144A Notes are registered in the name of any person
other than the person signing the Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is
imposed for any reason other than the exchange of 144A Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on
the registered Holder or any other person) will be payable by the tendering
Holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom
is not submitted herewith, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed
directly to such tendering holder.
Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for
transfer stamps to be affixed to the 144A Notes listed in this Letter of
Transmittal.
7. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.
The Company reserves the right, in its reasonable judgment, to waive, in
whole or in part, any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer set forth in the
Prospectus.
8. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED NOTES.
Any Holder whose 144A Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed
should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further
instructions.
9. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.
Questions relating to the procedure for tendering as well as requests for
additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, may be
directed to the Exchange Agent at the address and telephone number(s) set forth
above. In addition, all questions relating to the Exchange Offer, as well as
requests for assistance or additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter
of Transmittal, may be directed to BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY, 3920 Arkwright Road,
Macon, Georgia, 31210, telephone (912) 757-7100.
10. VALIDITY AND FORM.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance of tendered 144A Notes and withdrawal of tendered 144A
Notes will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which
determination will be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right
to reject any and all 144A Notes not properly tendered or any 144A Notes the
Company's acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company,
be unlawful. The Company also reserves the right to waive any irregularities or
conditions of tender as to particular 144A Notes. The Company's interpretation
of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in
this Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. Unless
waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of 144A Notes
must be cured within such time as the Company shall determine. Neither the
Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give
notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of 144A Notes,
nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Tenders of 144A Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such
irregularities have been cured or waived. Any 144A Notes received by the
Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned without cost to
such holder by the Exchange Agent to the tendering Holders of 144A Notes, unless
otherwise provided herein, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
9
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under federal income tax law, a Holder tendering 144A Notes is required to
provide the Exchange Agent with such Holder's correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9
above. If such Holder is an individual, the TIN is the Holder's social security
number. The Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number should be
completed if the tendering Holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for
a number or intends to apply for a number in the near future. If the Exchange
Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Holder may be subject to a $50
penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, payments that are
made to such Holder with respect to tendered 144A Notes may be subject to backup
withholding.
Certain Holders (including, among others, all domestic corporations and
certain foreign individuals and foreign entities) are not subject to these
backup withholding and reporting requirements. Such a Holder, who satisfies one
or more of the conditions set forth in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 should
execute the certification following such Part 2. In order for a foreign Holder
to qualify as an exempt recipient, that Holder must submit to the Exchange Agent
a properly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, signed under penalties
of perjury, attesting to that Holder's exempt status. Such forms can be obtained
from the Exchange Agent.
If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold
31% of any amounts otherwise payable to the Holder. Backup withholding is not an
additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup
withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal
Revenue Service.
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a Holder with
respect to 144A Notes tendered for exchange, the Holder is required to notify
the Exchange Agent of his or her correct TIN by completing the form herein
certifying that the TIN provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such
Holder is awaiting a TIN) and that (i) each Holder is exempt, (ii) such Holder
has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he or she is subject
to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends
or (iii) the Internal Revenue Service has notified such Holder that he or she is
no longer subject to backup withholding.
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE EXCHANGE AGENT
Each Holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the social security
number or employer identification number of the record Holder(s) of the 144A
Notes. If 144A Notes are in more than one name or are not in the name of the
actual Holder, consult the instructions on Internal Revenue Service Form W-9,
which may be obtained from the Exchange Agent, for additional guidance on which
number to report.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
If the tendering Holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a
number or intends to apply for a number in the near future, write "Applied For"
in the space for the TIN or Substitute Form W-9, sign and date the form and the
Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number and return them to the
Exchange Agent. If such certificate is completed and the Exchange Agent is not
provided with the TIN within 60 days, the Exchange Agent will withhold 31% of
all payments made thereafter until a TIN is provided to the Exchange Agent.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A FACSIMILE THEREOF (TOGETHER WITH
144A NOTES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS) OR A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE
AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
10