PD-4501 Scenicruiser
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The GMC PD-4501 Scenicruiser, manufactured exclusively for Greyhound Lines, is a distinguished coach used during 1950s to 1970s.
Originally, the Scenicruiser was a double decker, with access from the first level; and the driver would look to the road from the second level. It was soon decided that it will be a split level instead, with lower level containing the driving console and 10 seats behind it, and upper level containing 33 seats. This also allows a baggage compartment underneath the second level, while providing 360-degree view for the upper level. Lavatory is on the rear of the first level. It is equipped with air-ride, and is air conditioned. When a person drove a Scenicruiser, the rear didn't seem any higher but the front roof seemed lower than the normal bus. It felt like the driver could hit his head if the seat were raised too high.
The concept of scenicruiser may have been inspired by the dome car. It, in turn, was inspired by the Buffalo bus, which had a larger "second level". The "Buffalo" was a slang term for the next GMC buses. The 4107 and 4108 looked the same as each other but they were only 35 feet long. The driver sat higher than in a Scenicruiser and the passenger compartment was no higher than the Scenicruiser so the Buffalo did not look like a double decker since the difference in the height of the front and rear roof was approximately one foot. The 4107 was notorious for being difficult to shift gears; making loud, grinding noises which tended to upset the passengers. The 4108s I drove ran a lot stronger than 4107s and the drivers controls were just like the 4905. The 4905s came with a synchronized transmission, like a car, but they were still quite difficult to shift. If you tried to shift them like a normal bus, you had to shift them very fast. The biggest gripe about the 4905, from the drivers' point of view, was that the extra 5 feet of length was all between the front and rear axles. It was very easy to scrape the baggage bins on tight turns. The 4905s looked just like 4108s but with 3 baggage bins. Some 4905s had a tag axle (extra wheel) in the third baggage bin. I believe this was to support the weight with 2 more wheels and tires.
It was first rolled out in July 1954, and in total, 1001 of these buses were made between 1954 to 1956. About 200 survived, as Greyhound replaced them with MCI buses.
[edit] Specifications
- Length: 40 feet
- Width: 96 inches
- Height: 134 inches
- Wheelbase: 261 inches
- Turn radius: 45 feet
- Powerplant:
- 1954: 2x Detroit Diesel 4-71 engine
- 1961 rebuilt: 1x Detroit Diesel 8V-71 engine
- Transmission: Manual, 4-speed
- Fuel Tank: 180 gal.
- Seats: 10 on lower level, 33 on upper level. Total 43 seats
- Luggage: 344 cu. ft.
- Aisle width: 14 inches
- Front door width: 26 inches
