Stock #US54405
 

CB's Die Cast Review:  August 15, 2003

Corgi "Vintage Bus Lines"
GM4501 Greyhound™ Scenicruiser®

For over 40 years, Corgi has produced intricate diecast limited editions for the adult collector in addition to its standard diecast line for play.  The company is known for its extensive line of vintage buses in 1:50 scale, and recently has released a limited number of models based on Greyhound’s famous Scenicruiser long distance coach from the mid 20th century.

The General Motors built Scenicruiser, introduced by Greyhound in 1954, quickly became an icon of both the Bus Company and Americana, and was a common sight on many interstate highways across the continent.  The official GM designation for the model was PD5401, which stood for Parlor Diesel, 45 seats, first generation.  A total of 1,001 were built over a three-year period.  The 43-passenger bi-level coach featured on-board restrooms, a climate control that circulated draft-free air every 45 seconds and enlarged baggage storage bays underneath the top level.  The Scenicruiser was the mainstay of Greyhound’s intercity fleet for nearly two decades.  Today, a number of Scenicruiser coaches have been restored and are on display in museums and in the hands of private collectors.

This Corgi limited edition is a beautiful representation of the most recognizable bus in Greyhound’s history.  The two-piece diecast body features crisp relief accented with a handful of small plastic detail parts.  It is painted matte silver (to simulate stainless steel), white and Greyhound blue in a replication of the as-built scheme, with clean paint mask separation lines all around.  The plastic detail added includes silver bumpers, clear headlights, amber lower front marker lamps, silver windshield wipers and red/amber/silver roof running lights.  Additional details cast into the body are highlighted with paint, including side marker lamps and intake grills.  The tampo artwork and registration are outstanding, especially on the compound curves, as evidenced in the corporate logo on the sides, vintage Ohio license plates on both ends and the vehicle identification numbers on the rear corners and front roof edges.

The majority of the glass is dark smoked gray tinted plastic with the trim of the window relief chromed.  The detailed tan plastic interior can be seen through the windows and skylights.  The windshield and front side windows are clear plastic wit the window trim highlighted in silver.  A black steering wheel rises out of the console, which appears to be the only sparsely detailed component of the model.

The chassis is black plastic and features deep relief in the rear axles area.  The wheels are white plastic with blue painted rims and blue plastic hubs, and black synthetic rubber tires.  The white of the wheels does have a slight plastic look, but it doesn’t detract from the model.  Also, the hefty diecast body more than makes up for the lack of a diecast chassis.

This exquisite model was manufactured in China, and is part of a run of only 6,700 pieces.  Each bus has an individual serial number plate tamped in black and white on the underside of the chassis, just behind the front bumper.  The Scenicruiser is a worthy addition to Corgi’s renowned line of vintage bus models.