BusTalk

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:28 pm Post subject:

Though not a SCENICRUISER, this classic battery operated Hound (clearly inspired by the timeless 4104!) is worthy of inclusion here.

Dating from the early 60's, this HUGE (21 inches!) battery operated bus (with bump and go mystery action) features a honking horn as it moves along, and also has an opening door to reveal a red-uniformed hostess, waiting to greet the folks as they board!

I am very fortunate to have this fine vintage toy in my collection, as well as the "SCHOOL BUS" version (dang lucky kids, riding to school on a 4104!) Wink

http://www.vectis.co.uk/AuctionImages/51/3203_l.jpg

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:41 pm Post subject:

One of the most beautiful tin litho SCENICRUISERS ever manufactured, this magnificent battery toy dates to the late 1950's/early 60's.

The lithographed passengers in the windows are especially beautiful; here is a classic toy that truly does tribute to the mighty SCENICRUISER......

http://kbwww.antiquesnavigator.com/ebay/images/2013/261236719280.jpg

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:59 pm Post subject:

Underbody view of a "remote control" SCENICRUISER of the late 50's (this bus was available in two different GREYHOUND liveries, as well as an "AIRPORTER" version"; I have all three in my archives today!) Wink

These were also offered as friction toys........

http://www.serioustoyz.com/ItemImages/000001/PRgreyhoundbus13C_Lg.jpeg

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 2:29 pm Post subject:

A number of Japanese tin toy manufacturers back in the 50's and early 60's produced a number of "fantasy" SCENICRUISERS; these unusual toy buses ranged from the sublime to the downright bizarre, as seen here.

This circa-1960 toy looks to have come straight out of the pages of a vintage issue of "POPULAR SCIENCE"(!!) Shocked

I was very fortunate to add this rare oddball to my collection, several years ago......

http://p2.la-img.com/1244/24066/8649540_1_l.jpg

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:01 pm Post subject:

Here is one of the more realistic tin SCENICRUISERS (friction) from the early 60's; it is another I have in my archives, and measures well over a foot long.

What is interesting about this toy (not visible here) is that there is a Neptune-ish "shield" on the dash that is most unusual......this "shield" would seem more appropriate on the stack of a harbor tugboat!

A truly handsome SCENICRUISER, nonetheless......

http://www.museumofplay.org/online-collections/images/Z009/Z00941/Z0094164.jpg

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 1:04 am Post subject:

traildriver:

Glad you enjoyed the links.....QUITE a variety of toy SCENICRUISERS out there, back in the day! Very Happy

Many toy bus collectors today are quite surprised that, back in the 50's/early 60's, you could actually buy friction-powered INFLATEABLE toy SCENICRUISERS! Shocked

You could purchase these unique toys for under a dollar at toy and candy stores, as well as in just about any five and ten. These sometimes came in a plastic bag (w/cardboard tag), or, sometimes, in a box.

A friction motor mechanism was mounted at the rear of the underbody with a heavy vinyl flap; up front, there was a single "tricycle" wheel; there were three versions that I know of (I had two, over 50 years ago), and not long ago was able to add one of these rare specicemens to my 'Hound archives!

I had not seen one of these since the early 60's!

Mine doesn't hold air that well these days (as you might expect, being well over 50 years old!), but, when I do exert some lung power to inflate it, this ultra-rare SCENICRUISER toy brings back a busload of great childhood memories! Wink

"NYO"

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 1:20 am Post subject:

Strange as it may seem, I was lucky enough to find a photo of one of the inflateable toy 'Hounds I mentioned in the previous post! Shocked

As you can see, it is anything BUT prototypic, but it certainly would make a a very rare addition to any GREYHOUND collection! Very Happy

Unlike the one I have in my collection (and the other I once owned many years ago) this version has two front wheels, instead of the "tricycle" arrangement.

The one in my archives (as well as another version I had over five decades ago) is clearly a SCENICRUISER, albiet a "generic" one! Wink

http://www.serioustoyz.com/ItemImages/000001/PRgreyhoundbus20C_lg.jpeg

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 12:31 am Post subject:

This realistic tin SCENICRUISER (circa 1960) was available in both friction and battery versions; this particular model is the battery version.

I have the friction version in my archives, and is one of the most realistic of the tin SCENICRUISERS......

http://p2.la-img.com/341/1758/754356_1_l.jpg

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 12:28 pm Post subject:

A number of "SUPER SCENICRUISER" toys were available during the 60's; seen here is one of the smaller versions (I have several in my collection; one with its original box).....

http://www.serioustoyz.com/ItemImages/000001/1450a_lg.jpeg

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:20 pm Post subject:

In the beginning, there was the GX-1.

One can only imagine what the GREYHOUND fleet might have been like through the 50's and 60's if such a massive vehicle had ever been put into production*......

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4153/5434554629_7f718dcdb3.jpg

*AFAIK, no toy was ever produced in this experimental's likeness, with the exception of a tin mechanical version, made by the famed French toy maker, JOUSTRA......

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:35 pm Post subject:

Here is the vintage toy JOUSTRA bus I just mentioned, clearly inspired by the GX-1.

Note the "BROADWAY" destination sign, and the passengers on the upper level, who seem to be enjoying a VERY panoramic view of the passing scenery!

http://p2.la-img.com/1179/22328/7754796_3_l.jpg

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:41 pm Post subject:

A sad end to the unique GX-1; just imagine had this unique coach had been saved from the scrapper, and today was a stunning museum bus!

Aaahhh, perchance to dream.......

http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Greyhound-GX-1-shop.jpg

(courtesy: curbsideclassic)