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For The Transit Fans: Vehicle Profile: GM Scenicruiser


Stalliongrad

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The next inductee into the Hall of Transit Greats helped shaped American Road Travel for Decades.

 

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GM Scenicruiser in service with Greyhound

 


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​Manufacturer Quick Facts:


 

Founded: 1901


Main Office: Detroit, Michigan


Industry: Trucks and Buses


Notable Product: GM New-Look, GM Old-Look, RTS. GMC Topkick, CCKW, DUKW, Sierra, Yukon, Terrain

 

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GM Scenicrusier Taken Out of Service

 

 

 

Model Quick Facts:

 


Vehicle Length: 40 Feet


Vehicle Width: ​96 Inches


Vehicle Height: ​131 Inches


Engine Options: Two 4.7L GM 4-71 I4 Diesel Engines or 9.3L GM 8V-71 diesel V8


Transmission Options: One 3-speed manual and 2-speed auxiliary gearbox or 4 Speed Manual


Assembly: ​Pontiac, Michigan, United States


Production: ​1,001 Units Built

 


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Privately Owned GM Scenicruiser

 

 

 

Overview: ​In the Mid-1950s GM's Truck and Coach Division introduced the PD-4901 nicknamed the "Golden Chariot". The bus was a 3 axle single deck highway coach which featured monocoque construction. The Golden Chariot was revolutionary in that it was among the first of the "Hi Level" coaches with seats raised up higher to give passengers a better view of the scenery. GM then took this model and added an upper deck as well as additional technological innovations. This is one of the first buses to truly push technological limits.

 

Firstly, each Scenicruiser came with two engines, GM at the time did not see a need to produce a larger version of its class 71 engines. Scenicruiser were equipped with TWO 4.7L Inline 4 Diesel Engines which each produced 150 HP giving the bus a total of 300 HP. The Engines were connected with fluid coupling technology. These engines were eventually scrapped for the newer more powerful famed Detroit Diesel 8V-71.

 

Second, the Scenicruiser came with two transmissions as well. The bus featured a 3 speed manual transmission as well as a two speed auxiliary transmission with splitter gear, ultimately giving the bus 6 forward gears and a reverse gear. The odd and complex transmission set up came with drawbacks. Drivers who were previously used to only 4 speed transmissions needed extensive training. Many drivers did not like this new transmission layout. The complex transmission was prone to wearing out faster than normal. It was eventually replaced with a normal 4 speed transmission.

 

​Third, The prototype of this bus was designed to so that the driver was seated on the upper deck, This was abandoned when it was proven technologically challenging. The clutch in pre 1955 models was electronically operated not mechanically operated. New Technology for the era but it came with a powerful drawback. The Electronically operated clutch could not be partially engaged, only in or out. This caused the bus to "Lunge" forward every time the driver shifted gears. Both Drivers and Passengers hated this. To correct the problem the electronic linkages were replaced with traditional mechanical ones.

 


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Artists Depiction of a GM Scenicruiser in service with Greyhound

 

 

 

The GM Scenicruiser was uniquely produced exclusively for Greyhound. The Scenicruiser is attributed to ending relations between GM and Greyhound. Because the bus used brand new untested technology the Scenicruiser was called a mechanical nightmare. Each time one of the components on the Scenicruiser failed it cost Greyhound money to repair. The Scenicruiser broke down, and broke down often.

 

The GM Scenicruiser was iconic in its design, it invoked images of observation cars found on the railways. The bus represented the American Dream on wheels. It's design was so revolutionary it forced other manufacturers such as Flxible began to make models which mimicked the design such as the Flxible Vistacruiser.

 


However the bus did not have a long production life, ending production after 1,000 units. In the early 60s Greyhound purchased controlling interest in MCI and no longer needed its GM buses.

 

The Scenicruiser lives on in small numbers in the hands of bus enthusiasts who convert them into motorhomes and are brave enough to take on the mechanical challenge.

 


The Scenicruiser enters the Hall of Transit Greats because it pushed boundaries and tested limits paving the way for future design.

 

 

 

Beautifully Restored Scenicruiser in original Greyhound Livery

 



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