1956 GM Bus Scenicruiser PD 4501

[@newdefsys]

I remember seeing these on the highway in New Mexico, back in the early 70s. They were the coolest looking thing on the road.

[@jamzdotnet]

King of the road for sure!!

[@kennyc388]

Back in times when things were somewhat normal and people had respect and manners for others. So glad I got to experience those great American times. Yes, I did ride the SceniCruiser buses a few times in the 60's as a young boy travelling from Portland Or to LA California to visit my uncles and have a summer fun-fest....great days !

[@jamzdotnet]

Amazing life adventures, thanks for sharing!

[@henrymyers1888]

Rode from Erie, PA to Indianapolis, IN visiting relatives in the late sixties. I love OTR buses and I was thrilled whenever I rode on a Scenicruiser. I had a Matchbox Scenicruiser at one time. 😊

[@jamzdotnet]

I had no idea matchbox made them! Now I'll have to hunt eBay!

[@g.mantua1195]

My dad drove for Greyhound out of Chas. WV in the 60's to the 80's. I remember riding in these. He took me on a charter out west with him one time and our bus broke down in Phoenix. A Scenicruiser was all they had in the garage as a replacement. All manual transmission busses had been replaced by then and my Dad was in his glory double clutching down the highway. It was the southwest in summertime with no AC, but what a great time with the windows open. We got a replacement at the next layover and Dad was bummed.

[@jamzdotnet]

What a memory you have to cherish! Thanks for sharing!!

[@westerlywinds5684]

I prefer open windows with wind over aircon.

[@carlv8168]

Always loved the PD 4501. We traveled across the country in several of these in 1961 from San Diego to Norfolk, VA when my dad was in the Navy and transferred to his next duty station. Oh, what a joy for a 9 yr old kid to sit in that upper-level front row. I still have distinct memories of the driver double-clutching that non-syncro 4-speed manual transmission, and what a joyous sound that Detroit Diesel made as it revved in between shifts.

[@jamzdotnet]

This bus had everything! What an amazing trip you went on!

[@carlv8168]

@@jamzdotnet Oh, absolutely. As a young kid, I was so enamored with these buses because of their styling and imposing massive size. Now as an older adult, I still have an abundance of admiration for this bus and others like it. Just the thought of the genius design of the 45-degree angle manual transmission & differential, and the amazing amount of engineering it must've taken to design some 30+plus linear feet of manual shift linkage running through the floor tunnel, clear to the rear engine compartment, was an engineering marvel. The coast-to-coast trip in 1961 was such a memorable experience.

[@SlowRiderDucati]

I rode these scenic cruisers on several cross country trips from Erie, PA to Los Angeles, CA. Back in the late 1970s. I was 15 years old with my 16 year old brother. We usually got those upper front seats or the last bench seat in the way back which sometimes was hot from the engine compartment. It was first come first serve. I think it was about a 4 day and 3 night long trip each way. I remember my feet would always be super funky and soft from the trip. I still Clearly remember the open road vistas, dark nights, and panoramic views of the mid western states. Sometimes the bus would pass a train since a lot of tracks run parallel to the interstates.

[@jamzdotnet]

They are majestic machines! Sounds like you saw some beautiful scenery in your travels on them!!

[@grimlockorc]

I'm watching North by Northwest, having to pause over and over because of all these interesting things to look up. One of which is this Scenicruiser. I needed to see the interior. Thank you!

[@jamzdotnet]

I'm going to have to watch it myself! Good idea! Thanks for watching my video!

[@richardcline1337]

If you've never ridden one of these classic coaches, you've missed a treat. Yes, you have to remember that this was in the 50's and 60's so they weren't all that pleasant on long trips but the chance to see so much of the country in relative comfort was nice. AND these things made a lot of stops to load and unload passengers so you got to get out and stretch your legs at the terminals.

[@jamzdotnet]

I'm hoping one day the museum takes this out and I can take a brief ride. I've never been on it driving.

[@frankbruno9499]

In 1959 our family went NJ to LA and both ways, we saw these scenic crusiers. Always wondered what they looked like inside. Thankyou.

[@jamzdotnet]

What a drive and memories it must have created!! Thanks for watching!

[@justinehrhardt6453]

I love the Greyhound Motor Coaches from the 40s to the 70s with the Aluminium Hull, like Airplanes and the California Zypher at the time, it looks so futuristic ❤❤ Great Video 🙌🏻

[@jamzdotnet]

Thanks for watching!! Agree, those old buses had a special look!

[@Perich29]

Looks like the Boeing 707 and the old sight seeing dome cars.

[@michaelquillen2679]

Wow! Last time I was in a 4501 was in 1973. Rode it from Laramie to Rawlins, Wyoming. Glad I got to ride in a classic.

[@jamzdotnet]

What an adventure!! Thanks for watching!

[@thegodblogger3812]

last rode a Scenic in probably 1969 from Baton Rouge La to Port Arthur Tx. At that time the Scenics were the queens of the road. The Greyhound timetables listed which routes were Scenic-equipped.

[@jamzdotnet]

@@thegodblogger3812 wow! What an amazing experience that must have been!

[@thegodblogger3812]

@@jamzdotnet Yes, I was a small kid but vividly remember the aroma of stepping into a Scenic, like entering another world.

[@Me-ll4ig]

Wow awesome to see inside one of these. As a kid here in the UK in the 1970s I had a small toy of one of these buses and never knew what they looked like inside until now. It must have been awesome travelling these and a great new experience. It doesn’t look like the toilet had a wash basin to wash your hands though lol

[@jamzdotnet]

Thanks for tuning in!! It's quite remarkable inside!

[@adamr9215]

There was a sink/wash basin behind the door, next to the toilet. To the left in the video. It’s a small, stainless bowl with a small spigot.

[@Ron-zi3cg]

It was fun to travel by bus and it was reasonable to travel this way also.

[@jamzdotnet]

I wish I had that experience! Great memories I bet!

[@cricketforbaseballpeople9356]

Thanks for putting this online. This is probably the most iconic American bus. Only London double-deckers are more recognisable. I want to use one of these in a baseball movie as the team travel bus. I know only about 1000 were made. Hopefully we can get our hands on one, though. I appreciate the interior shots of an original seated configuration. It’s hard to get a good look at the original inside online.

[@jamzdotnet]

Thanks for watching! Contact the bus museum at the AACA Museum in Hershey PA. They have rented many buses for appearances on movies!

[@jimmyt8491]

Great video!

[@jamzdotnet]

Thanks for watching!! Be sure to give us a subscribe for some other cool bus videos I am publishing!

[@OLDMACK]

I took a ride on one of these old Scenicruisers back in 1956 from Birmingham Al to Los Angeles, I was in my Military Academy dress uniform and arrived in LA looking sharp after 4 long days,, our route took us through Elco Nevada and the bus stop had an 11 foot tall stuffed polar bear in a glass case, looked out of place in the 112 degree heat,(dry heat),lol

[@jamzdotnet]

Wow! What a journey and amazing memories!!

[@OLDMACK]

@@jamzdotnet In 1957 my next adventure just before going into the Army, going to Baltimore Md to spend the summer on the Chesapeake Bay, we lived across the Bay from Fort McHenry, in 1957 that was like Dreamland come true, I rode the big grey dog home after basic Traning at Fort Jackson SC,, you have a great web site

[@rayburston8721]

Second only to the London Routemaster, most certainly THE most iconic bus ever built.

[@jamzdotnet]

I hope to see and go in a routemaster, would be a cool comparison!

[@alexferreho3089]

Beautifull

[@jamzdotnet]

100% agree!!!

[@ro63rto]

That would make an awesome camper with a downstairs band upstairs area.

[@jamzdotnet]

Agree! Thanks for watching!

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

They were manufactured with dual 4/71 diesel engines they didn't get the v8 until the 1961 rebuild

[@jamzdotnet]

Very nice! Thanks for watching!

[@zombiefulci3301]

Looks very cozy and intimate, not like the mega advanced buses of today like Vanhool with 21st century amenities and sprawling spaces. This bus you can make a great horror movie with

[@jamzdotnet]

Hah!! It's certainly a blast to the past. Thanks for watching!

[@Stanley7746]

Rode Grayhound in the 60's. Always wanted a SenicCruiser, probably because sitting in the back we seemed farther from the driver...lol...

[@jamzdotnet]

Hah! I hope to ride in this one one day!

[@thesaturdaymorningcowboy4198]

Rode on these cross country when I was 5 years old in 1958. 😊

[@jamzdotnet]

How many days did it take?

[@aklnarslan8756]

MCl 12cylinder MC6 model Coach ever built world's best Coach. Neverthelesss, l Like GM PD 4501 scenicruiser ♥️👍

[@jamzdotnet]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@jameslashley3970]

Rode one on my senior trip , Eutaw Alabama to Miami Florida , June of 1978 .

[@jamzdotnet]

Miami in the 70s! Good times!

[@sclm046]

My Dad had driven many of these, mainly on the San Antonio to Laredo run and return (Texas). There was a "stink" when these busses entered service. Trailways (Greyhound's largest competitor) wanted to purchase some. Supposedly Greyhound and General Motors held a patent on them. End result, Trailways could not purchase any. I don't know if this may have violated anti- trust laws of that period or not. Also it seems that I recall my Dad mentioning that initially the fleet, or at least the earliest models had "dual engines" (two 4 cylinder engines?). Apparently that was not practical. A single V-8 was soon chosen for the prime mover.

[@jamzdotnet]

Wow, dual engines sound pretty wild!

[@moparman5058]

Geez GM made these too? Man shame GM got out of the bus game. They were amazing. New looks will always be my favorite but these are iconic in their own right.

[@jamzdotnet]

I agree, they are pretty awesome! I have yet to ride in one on the road, but hoping at the next bus event to at least cruise around the parking lot in it :)

[@agentsus9681]

Matchbox just released a collector's diecast of this and I wanted to know what the real thing was all about. Thanks for the video.

[@jamzdotnet]

Awesome!! I gotta find the matchbox!

[@agentsus9681]

Hey I just reopened my copy and came upon this video again. Did you get around buying yours?

[@richardwarner3705]

Yep they're georgouse.👍

[@jamzdotnet]

Absolutely agree!!

[@alangobel8513]

Great Music!!!!!!!!

[@jamzdotnet]

Paired with a great bus!!

[@gwillis9797]

Good old days

[@jamzdotnet]

What an experience it was!

[@robertbrouillette6767]

There were a lot of problems until they got the V8-71 Detroit Diesel. From what I’ve learned from old timers, there were two four cylinder 71 series. Then they tried a 6-71 and finally the V8-71

[@jamzdotnet]

I had no idea about the four cylinder 71 series! Thanks for watching!

[@olgaharris1103]

✨Memories…😌 Me and Momma! 🙌🏽. (No red seats)

[@jamzdotnet]

I can only imagine!! Thanks for watching!

[@Perich29]

I wish that Motorcoatch have 2 drive axles like a semi tractor does so if you get stuck, you activate the interlock axle and booth of the axles drives but the tag wheels don't drive so if your not careful and your stear and tag get bridged your stuck, or you stuck in snow or mud.

[@jamzdotnet]

Interesting for sure if it did! Thanks for watching!

[@tedkulinna9093]

Answer to question. No they were not Super Scenicruiser. Just Scenicruiser. The 102 inch MC 6 was dubed Super scenic. Interior dash was always painted light green not the gold in this one. The seats "downstairs" were a "Yellow fleck" and upstairs were black with a white flex. I drove for Greyhound frim 1961 to 1975. We always had a Scenic on the cross country runs from NYNY to LA. YES, the same bus was used all the way, for the first section. I never drove one when they had (2) four cylinder engines as delivered. Greyhound sued GM because the hydraulic setup between engines was "less than satisfactory". When GM developed the 8v71, they were all converted to V8's with four speed transmissions. OF ALL THE COACHES I DROVE FOR 30 PLUS YEARS, THEY WERE ALWAYS MY FAVORITE!!

[@jamzdotnet]

Awesome details and what a story .. coast to coast, what a drive!

[@ronaldlynnjohnson7589]

Weren't these called Super Scenicruiser? I believe the single level were the original Secnicruiser. I rode in these out of Chicago in my college days.

[@jamzdotnet]

Hmm .. not sure will I will research it.

[@PaolaC23]

Just out of curiosity, did the toilets on these buses flush or are they just like a modern greyhound situation?

[@jamzdotnet]

I really don't know!! I imagine it was something like we have today without water in the bowl given it moves?

[@DSHite]

So it held 66 people? I can't get over the bathroom location...

[@jamzdotnet]

Hah! Wikipedia is telling me 43 total seats?

[@DSHite]

OK. I can understand 43 seats.

[@wendelm.a4245]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🇧🇷

[@jamzdotnet]

Thanks for watching!

[@crabbymilton390]

Please forgive me but where is this museum located?

[@jamzdotnet]

AACA Museum, Hershey, Pennsylvania

[@crabbymilton390]

@@jamzdotnet Thanks I will keep that in mind. For those of you people out there that have never visited the HENRY FORD MUSEUM, do yourself a favor and go. I was there twice and it’s beyond neat. Just allow yourself 2-3 days so you don’t feel rushed due to the size. There are only 2 buses in the main museum. Hopefully they will add more at some point.

[@jamzdotnet]

@@crabbymilton390 That sounds amazing! I need to put that on my list and visit. Thanks for sharing!!

[@Ahuntsicspotter]

These buses 🚌 are different from Prevost X345 and today all Greyhound buses 🚌 are automatic.

[@jamzdotnet]

I just found one for sale on Facebook Marketplace .. sitting for years .. looks so awesome though!

[@stevec2940]

What museum? You said it too fast.

[@jamzdotnet]

AACA Museum in Hershey PA

[@mitchsarmento7132]

I thought these bud were only made in 1954 only 1,000 made ??

[@jamzdotnet]

I'm reading, "1001 were made between 1954 and 1956"

[@RickDelten]

They must have sold a bunch of these to Mexico. When I was in my early teens I lived in Mexico and these Scenicruisers were a very common site.

[@jamzdotnet]

Were they making runs from Mexico into the US or anything? Maybe like a Texas run?

[@tedkulinna9093]

No none were sold to Mexican CO@@jamzdotnet

[@user-jr1gt1xx4e]

Irememberthesebusesasakidinthe60's

[@jamzdotnet]

Amazing memories I am sure!!

[@ryansantospalma8428]

Ônibus

[@jamzdotnet]

Magnificent bus!!!

[@The53BILL]

Rode in one in the late 60’s

[@jamzdotnet]

Awesome memories!