The moving of GMC Greyhound Scenicruiser PD4501-1001 (EXP 331) 8-8-08
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 DC 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 …
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Comments
so what are your plans for this old beauty??
how the hell did I wind up here?
damn, that bus is huge…..
I drove a twin 4-71 unit in Canada in the early ’70s…what a nightmare! Hound was quite correct in dumping that setup for what became the stock MCI powertrain…8V71N/Spicer 4 speed. Parts of the “fluid coupling” setup (actually a two speed clutch) became parts for the “Hydra-Shift” that found themselves installed on some 4104s. Glen Embree did that with their 4104s and they could beat any 4106 up a grade.
interesting story about a man and his toys/hobbies….senic ruisers are on the rather large side though, cars,trucks,mabey even a fishbowl, senicruisers,wow…good luck guy, i wish you the best…What A-hole had to put a dislike on this video, I just don’t understand some people…
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
Any ideas on how many miles this old girl has covered ? I’ve read that the original twin 4-71′s were installed side by side but just can’t visualise how they would drive thru a single transmission. Did the one motor run in reverse direction and with drive shafts off the flywheels going into a single transmission ? Best wishes with the refurb program.
@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.
h i man great bus if you need halp torestoration the bus let me know. please …
I think its great that you saved a piece of history
Thanks for clearing that mystery up!
That is a real prize.
Fred
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
Did production then start with 1001 and work their way down to 001 ?
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
Has anybody restored one of these with the two engines?
This bus looks like it’s being held together by staples and duct tape
Notice that the right outside mirror is pushed way out.
Drivers usually tuck them in closer to the body.
sounds like the big rig has a 12v71 under the “hood”?
Sounds like it needs new bearings and breaks. What if you sand blasted it with baking soda?
Nice bus and nice vid… but even I think all those angles from transport were a lot
Still nice to see though (bet they were a little hard to get).
@remie4494
Sweeter words were never said.
these are beautiful busses. That’s gotta be one long heavy trailer.
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.
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.
@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.
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