The moving of GMC Greyhound Scenicruiser PD4501-1001 (EXP 331) 8-8-08
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- Moving of GMC Greyhound Scenicruiser PD4501-1001 from Belpre, Ohio to Peoria, IL. 8-8-08 Full restoration will begin within two years. Must finish PD4501-771first. In 1953 GMC built EXP 331 an experimental prototype bus that would
eventually become the Scenicruiser. This is EXP331 you see in this video. Prior to it's creation, a full
sized plaster model mock-up was built. EXP 331 was based directly on
this mock-up. Even before this, I believe in 1949 GMC built the GX2.
Anyway, after all testing and styling was completed, GMC began
production of the PD4501 Scenicruiser in 1954. At the end of the
planned 1000 run production, in 1956, Greyhound wanted EXP 331
finished as a bus, and added to the end of the run. So, EXP 331
became PD4501-1001. So, the bus you see in this video could be considered the first and last Scenicruiser ever made! Due to an earlier regulation, EXP 331 was built
with an emergency exit door on the left side. No other Scenic was
ever built this way. Greyhound removed the E-door some years later. It also was equipped with a factory spot
light.It then went into service with the other 1000 cruisers.It
remained in service at least until 1974. It still appeared on the
1974 Greyound roster. At some point between 74, and 1978 Ridgley
coach, a charter company from Washington D.C. bought 1001. I do not
know yet if Ridgley bought it from GH directly or from some other
private company. If anyone has any doctumentation either way...I
would love to here from you. Sometime in the late 1980s Ridgley began
scrapping the seven Scenics they had. In 1982 my good friend Fred
Rayman, a bus driver from Oklahoma City, OK. discovered 1001 at
Ridgley in Washington D.C. Fred was on a charter trip hauling people
from a church group in OK City to New York City, and Wash D.C. Fred
had some down time in D.C. and wanted to ride the commuter trians
around D.C.
So, Fred and his pal Bob Beard took a ride on the train. While on the
train, Fred spotted about 4 or 5 Scenicruisers sitting in a bus yard.
Turns out....the train tracks went right past Ridgley's yard. Fred
now had to convince Bob to go back and look at all these Scenics.
Anyone that knows Fred.. Knows he loves to keep track of Serial
numbers....and here was some he did not have yet! Bob gave in, and
they went to oogle over the cruisers. Fred tells me he nearly fainted
when he found serial number 997, and then the one and only 1001. This
was October 15, 1982. Fred must have told anyone that would listen
what he had found in D.C. He must have made an impression on Gordon
Pfalzgraf of Belpre, Ohio. Because, over the telephone Fred convinced
Gordon to save 997 & 1001 from the scrapper. Three years had pasted.
Then in 1985 Gordon was at the Hearshy car swap meet with his now
famous hatchback Scenic selling car covers. He met someone from D.C.
and asked if they would check to see if 1001 was still at Ridgley.
The man honored the request, and reported back....it was still there
with 997. Niether had engines, or trans., but still there! The very
next day Gordon went home to Belpre, Ohio and immediatly left for
Wash D.C. A man on a mission ! He struck a deal to buy both 997 &
1001. He had them both hauled home to Ohio in Nov./Dec. of 1985.
Gordon had plans to restore 1001, but never began any work. He had
his plate full with 16 other antique cars that needed maintained or
restored. I have known of these two buses for years, but always
assumed they were not for sale. Then in January of this year, I was
sent to Dayton, Ohio for work. I called Mr. Pfalzgraf, and to my
surprise...they were for sale. I left a day early and drove the 520
miles to Belpre, Ohio. And the rest is history.
I have to tell you, I have such a great respect and admiration for you!! What you are doing is just awesome for the history and art that buses are. There are no memorable buses being made today. And if you remember one its because it's garbage! Those are true coaches that you have. Character and personality! I have an 83 and 86 Eagle restored and in service. I can't wait to see the second Scenicruiser!!! Beautiful.
Wow- I remember riding on one of the "super-scenicruisers" when i was like five years old (50 now) and I remember screaming for a seat in the "high part" - it was the ride of my life up to that point, I loved trains etc and this was a great ride to my cousings in indiana, and if I remember right it was a viciously cold winter and we had to transfer buses due to the trans not going into gear on our bus. I always loved trains, trucks, buses, etc. this is a real piece of Americana-!!!
I am told after the removal of the twin fours in 1961/1962 most of those engines went to industrial applications like the oil fields in Texas, or were simply scrapped. The gold stripped Scenic 8149 that appears in this video is mostly restored with the exception of the interior. It is still seated and has the restroom, but just needs freshened up with paint and details. The red 4104 is restored. I just aquired PD4501-1001 in august 2008, and am planning full restoration. Tom McNally
I had an opportunity to ride Scenic Cruisers quite a bit as a kid. They were the coolest busses! The twin 4-71's synced together made music to a future mechanic's ears. I thought they were 4 speed with electric overdrive. Cool video. Glad to see the old girl is going to be restored. Anyone going back to twin 4-71engines for authenticity? The sound you know!!
Thanks for posting!
Thanks. It is stories like yours that motivate me to keep these things around. They have such great history that go with them.
Great story on this one. Looks like it ended up in the right hands to me. I would love to go on a long trip front row top, must be a great view.
Thanks. I appreciate that. I am just finishing up the lower interior on PD4501-771. Will be done before we go to Texas for the Scenicruiser gathering in Amarillo.
I sure miss the old scenicruiser service between Boston and Chicago. In 1965 it took about 24 hours but as a teenager I enjoyed the scenery, the air conditioning and the view. Stopped along the New York thruway at a couple of rest stops inbetween Albany, Schenectady, Utica and Buffalo. Had a nice nap from BUF to Cleveland, then sat up the rest of the way on into Chicago bus term. at Clark and Randolph. That double decker was ahead of its time. Smooth, quiet and comfort. Cruised well at 70.
that is a great story. Its nice to see someone preserving these historic buses.
Only 1000 of these were built? Amazing, as commented above, they seemed to be everywhere. Add to that, Greyhound's tv and magazine advertising featured these coaches so often.
Another rare coach is the competing Trailways Eagle 0-1 (1960s version) with the 3-piece back window. Saw them everywhere also, now they're extremely rare. I've been trying to locate an 0-1 as there is a company interested in producing a scale model, but they can't locate a prototype. But are still searching.
My friend Fred Rayman found this bus in D.C. in the early 1980s. He convinced the last owner (whom I bought it from) to get this one from D.C. and preserve it. He did just that. I knew he had it for several years before I asked if it was for sale. I asked. It was. The rest is history ! I just had the lower OEM seat covers reproduced, and am waiting on the upper level ones to be finished. Ordered reproduction skylight glass too.Way too historical to make into RV ! Take care
Tom
@DougCameraMan GMC produced 1001 Scenics from 1954-1956. PD4501-1001 is identicle to all others except: It once had emergency exit door on left side, (removed by Greyhound sometime during their ownership), had a spotlight on the "A" piller near driver, and fake "drum-head" on the rear of the coach (that is where Tootsie Toy got the idea for the rear of their diecast Scenicruiser toy). All three of these ideas never saw production for the following 1000 built.
A novelty in many ways, this bus early on had not just four gears but 6 (3 thru a fluid coupling that started the engine and provided a split, thus six. Motor Coach Age online (PDF format) reveals (May 1974) that a "electric treadle" was offered for clutching! Plus the TWO, count them, two engines, including the fluid coupling started one (you started one, to star the other. Separately started.)Whew! But all of this later on was followed by the Detroit Disel 8V71 and the Spicer 4-speed manual.
Hi Steve
Small world! I know of Sully, but never got the chance to meet him. I am good friends with Fred Rayman of O.K. city. I have his old 4104. I was down there a few months ago to get the remaining 04/4501 parts that Sully's family had at his house. Wish I could have met him....I've heard great things about Sully. Also snooped around Jeff's yard while down there too. Take care.
Tom McNally
So happy for you that you have this coach.I saw them often as a kid back in the 1960s. She's going to be a classy beauty when finished! For Gray Line, I drove Buffaloes and various MCIs, but I wish I would have had the opportunity to operate one of these!
No. Full production run started at 001 and ended with 1000. Then this prototype (built in 1953, prior to start of production) was added to the end of the production run, becoming 1001. Odd turn of events, but that is how it happened. Tom
It did when new, but as with all the other 4501 Scenicruisers those were replaced in 1961/1962 with the single 8V-71 Detroit diesel and Spicer 4 speed trans.
Tom
Interesting and awesome video pd4501771. Its more than enough that this is a mint conditioned SceniCruiser PD4501, but to be the last one made (1001) is the greatest bus-nut treasure ever and is worth lots of money. !Merry Christmas!
MY HOPE IS THAT GREYHOUND PUT MY FAVORITE BUS BACK IN SERVICE.THANK YOU SIR FOR COLLECTION THOSE OLDIE BUT A GOODIE. LOVE THAT 1954 , WE ARE THE SAME AGE.
Beautiful old bus. Glad to hear it's being restored. Such a classic looking vehicle that I'd love to take a trip in today!
HAULING THAT DOG IS AN EXCITING THING TO LOOK AT!! JUST LOVE IT!!!!!
Hello,
and may I say how amazing this video was.
I wish you could of shown the inside more,
I will check out your other videos soon...Thanks!
Nice to see these two great old Decks side by side in the barn together at long last. I bet it's been many years since that's happened for either of them. You have quite a mission before you, Tom...Hang in there!
that old bus is a art piece of great beauty
This was Ridgley out of DC for many years after Greyhound.... Remember this coach as a kid...
Making many new reproduction parts. (all window gaskets, all curved glass, new fabric for original seat covers sewn). Pouring concrete floor in shed in prep to begin physical resto. work. Hope to move over bus onto new concrete and start work before fall. Long process !
Nice that will make it move. Beautiful classic by the way
Hey Tom,
GREAT STORY on the history of 1001! I can't believe I've never seen this video before today. Since my '06 is converted, I'd love to restore a Scenic. If I only had the space and time to do a resto on a Scenic. Hope all is well.
John
Thanks for clearing that mystery up!
That is a real prize.
Fred
Thanks for the kind words. I am by no means wealthy. I am just very dedicated to a long term project. When one does not have tons of extra money, it takes a long time to get things accomplished. So, patience is king. I have to do everything myself, so I learn a lot along the way. We meet some great people also.
I think its great that you saved a piece of history
I had to buy this Scenicruiser (PD4501-1001) & another (PD4501-997) together. I did not need, nor did I want to pay freight on two buses. So, I re-sold 997 to a friend in Oklahoma. My total investment so far for bus and transportation home is around $4200. That's the cheap part.......the restoration is where the bucks will be needed. But, I'm in no hurry to finish. This will be a long term project.
Thanks Steve
I and others have been keeping a pretty complete list of Scenicruisers left around for the past ten-15 years. By our count, there are about 200 Scenics left in various conditions today .I even have a list of the serial numbers of the Scenics scrapped for the MC-7 combo conversions as you stated. Not to be a smart ass, but they actually built 1001 of these. As this bus in the video is #1001. Thanks for your comments.
Tom McNally
YOU ARE BITING OFF A BIG LUMP. YOU ARE A BRAVE MAN.
No engine or trans. Read the "more info" section in discription. Tells whole story.
What a heap. It practically breathes history though in a way. It's mysterious
She sure looks sweet!
Nice of you too share this great piece of engineering wih us.
yep, front rows upstairs are the best view.
Yes That is PD4104-3462 restored in its original Tamiami Trailways colors.
Tom
Wow you got some collection there. I never had the pleasure of riding in a Senicruiser.
Thanks Tony. I am collecting needed parts to complete resto. Huge project, but I'm in no hurry.
Tom
Same condition. Still collecting rare parts, as well as reproducing obsolete rubber window gaskets, and obsolete aluninum castings, etc.Very long-term project!
Tom
I will post videos once the resto. process starts. I plan to video much of the work. I am still collecting needed parts, and need to finish interior of PD4501-771
(8149). It will be many years before I am finished with 1001.
Would love a scenicruiser to have here in the UK, as a former coach driver this is one of very few coaches which I fell in love with, but have never seen or driven one.
I would see these as a kid, always wanted to ride in one with those windows on top...never did...they were gone by the time I took a bus
this is awesome. I have the bus bug too. I just recently purchased a 1977 MCI 8 Crusader. I love these big buses. they just don't make them like this anymore. I am turning mine into a motorhome. I am hoping that's not going against the holy grail of bus lovers. But these are great buses for motorhomes as the old saying ,"They just don't make them like this anymore".You can see my bus on you tube under Gregs 1977 MCI bus.
these are beautiful busses. That's gotta be one long heavy trailer.
Hi There
Nice example of an 01 Eagle was at Jefferson truck & bus parts in Oklahoma City, OK. Saw it a few months ago. Former church bus. Very complete and original, except paint scheme. I have some pictures of it on the yahoo Scenicruiser21 site. Take care.
Tom McNally
great find. this is like having the last 67 stingray.
I saw a bus like this being used as a "party-on-wheels" vehicle in Albany NY about two years ago - it was painted lime green with purple trim and had a huge set of Steer horns affixed to the front !!!
This is the prototype for the 4501 Scenicruiser. This will be restored as a seated coach.
Tom
10 seats downstairs, with restroom. 33 seats upstairs. two huge baggage bins below upstairs seating.
Please join us for Scenicruise 2010, "The Hounds of the Mothe Road Reunion". This historic gathering of surviving GMC PD-4501 Scenicruisers will be held in Adrian/ Amarillo, Texas April 8-9. 2010. All welcome! See next post
Cont'd: We will meet at The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas Thursday April 8, 2010 (9am CST) and travel by Scenicruiser to Adrian, Texas (47 miles) (Adrian is the geographic midpoint of U.S. Route 66) for photos/lunch and then cruise Route 66 and return to Amarillo, Texas where the buses will be on display Thursday and Friday.
No. This bus was sold in the 1980s just prior to scrapping. So they had removed the engine and trans. in prep. for scrapping her. I have a complete engine/trans from another Scenicruiser that I will install.
No, this will be an original restoration, not a RV conversion.
No idea about milage. Could be 5+ million. The twin fours ran through a fluid coupling into a standard 3 speed trans. which had a two speed spliter, that effectively gave six forward gears.
Tom
@grudainc Not running. Bought with no engine and trans. I have engine and trans to install.
You are referring to PD4501-771. Thats how all buses looked back before modern apportioned license plates. They had to display plates for the states they ran.
"How?" "Oh, the rollback is hella bigger."
Amazing bus
Que hermoso ómnibus....yo en mi vitrina compre un corgi 1\50 hace días..tiene los certificados de fabrica.....muy buen vídeo...!!!
I have a 8V-71 Detroit to install eventually.
Tom
Notice that the right outside mirror is pushed way out.
Drivers usually tuck them in closer to the body.
1001 will be resting in my barn for a few more years. I am always collecting parts. Need to finish other projects first.
SULTANA ... mi amigo Vicente Garcia compro uno como esos en Mexico creo q le dicen "paton" o 'cien pies" porque tiene 12 llantas...
damn, that bus is huge.....
@pd4501771 Thank you. I was thinking I had heard it was 500 produced but that must have been 500 a year for two years which equals 1,000.. In any case, it sounds like you have the first one ever made. If that's the case, this project should be well worth the investment . My dad owned a couple of Scenicruisers back in the late 60s early 70s when he ran a small charter bus service.. I'm sure he sold them at some point, not junked, but I don't really know what happened to them.
@TheUnDeRGRouNDHoBo A diamond in the rough ! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for watching
Historic.
Oh boy! Yes I do!!
@DAN4279 This one won't ! only 230 or so of 1001 produced survive today, most are converted. only about 25 are still seated buses like this one. I'm hell bent on preservation.
1001 does not run yet, as it currently does not have an engine installed.
No one ever has done that. That would be very difficult. The two engine set-up never worked very well for Greyhound, so I do not think I could pull it off. Tom
I keep track of them by serial number, owner, and location. I have integrated friends registry lists that go back into the 1960s. About 230 or so still exist in some form. Not many are road worthy. Probably less than 50. About 10 have been exported to Europe in the last 10 years or so.
Thats a beast =) nice find!
would love to retrofit one of these with modern powerplant, electronics, transmission etc.
YECHHH!
Nice! Are you gonna post any moving pics of 8149?
Steve, Tom...........Thanks so much! I did a search on the web and found Jefferson's toll free number. I will call them asap.
Still collecting parts. I will post videos when I get started.
How did you find that bus
Also good to hear that it will be restored to its original condition cause most people would just completely gut the interior and turn it into some kind of rv
Good luck with restoring it
Im looking forward to seeing the finished result
Now that's a bus!!!
Plenty of those around.
See my comment below.
Forward axle is the drive, and rear is a tag.
I love the hell out of that bus , on a long ride , I would just sat back and take a nice nap .
thanks for a good video
This is a nice bus you got here sir, and a good clean simple restoration is nice agree with brettrobson1984.Keep it original
Good question. I do not know.
@pd4501771 I wish I could help with photos or serial numbers but it's all ancient history now. Today, we take lots of photos and videos but back then they were rare. Plus we thought of them as just some other buses, nothing that special. I'm thinking he had two of them but6 even that is fuzzy, may have been only one. That was 40 years ago. The company was called Maryland Bus Lines, based in Beltsville, Maryland. Long since out of business. I will ask him if he remembers, though.
No this bus was moved to Peoria, IL. for restoration.
What do mean when you ask: "what is the deal on all these scenicruisers?" Do you mean..."why so many videos?" or are you asking about their history? 1001 total produced by GMC exclusively for Greyhound from 1954-1956. Used two (2) four cylinder detroit diesels, until 1961/1962 when all repowered to one 8V71 Detroit diesel.
Tom McNally
Very cool bus... does this one run at all? Anything special about it (Ie last one made?)
Thanks. Or like the first AND last 67 stingray !
Would be neat to see one of these in the original twin engine, but I imagine parts were all scrapped, but would be cool.
Are these both restored (or being restored) back to original configuration? Would be great to see one, I am in S Wisconsin.
That for sure!
Very historic bus. 2:10..
997 was sold to a friend in Tulsa, OK. If you are looking for a 4501 conversion shell, I can probably help. I know of some for sale.
Tom
This really makes me laugh. First I can see my bus in some of your shots 11 years ago. Second, that same yellow Thunderbird was still in the garage when I left there in November 2019. That must be Gordon in the blue shirt with short sleeves. At this point where is the other scenicruiser?
Yep that's Gordon. 1001 was on the left, and 997 was on the right. 536 was at Gordon's house in town at this point. He had three back then.
You said this is the prototype for the Scenicruiser. Could you elaborate on some of the differences if any? And do you know how many Scenicruisers were made and when, and how many are known to survive today?
@BabyShowerStuffcom Thanks for watching!
6:04 dang, that thing is hauling! imagine if it crashed!! wow...