FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of a bus, the Greyhound Coach   ¹ , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 66, included in the "1–75" series. It is made in England, between 1966 and 1969. Metal body painted in silver-grey and decorated with paper stickers on the sides, featuring the traditional image of a running greyhound and the inscription "GREYHOUND". Metal base painted black. Windows represented in transparent yellow (amber) tinted plastic. Interior details in white plastic. Black plastic wheels with molded details. With suspension on the first two axles. The nominal scale is 1:159 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.4 oz. This model represents a long-distance bus (coach) , operated by Greyhound Lines on intercity services throughout the United States, the General Motors PD-4501 Scenicruiser , manufactured between 1954 and 1956. Initially equipped with two 284 cu in Detroit Diesel 4-71 "L4" engines producing 160 hp (119 kW) [320 hp (238 kW)], v...

Scale model of a bus, the Leyland Royal Tiger Coach   ¹ , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 40, included in the "1–75" series. It is made in England, in 1961 and 1966. Metal body painted in blue-gray. Metal base painted black. Windows represented in transparent/blue-green tinted plastic. No interior details. Silver plastic wheels with molded details (SPW). No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:145 and the overall length is approximately 2.9 in. About 1 oz. This model represents a demonstration bus (coach) intended for long-distance services, the Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster presented in 1956 at the Commercial Motor Show in Earl's Court, London. It had a LERT.2/1 chassis presumably equipped with the Leyland 0.680H "L6" engine of 677 cu in and 150 hp (112 kW), combined with a 44-passenger body designed by  Carrozzeria Ghia  and manufactured by Autocostruzioni Casaro , both based in Turin. I don't know if this demonstration bus, a creative styl...

Scale model of a double-deck bus, the Leyland Titan , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 17, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in China, between 1988 and 1990. Metal body painted in red, with paper stickers placed on the sides, showing the advertisement "AROUND LONDON TOUR-BUS". Black plastic base. Model without "glazing". Interior details in white plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:124 and the overall length is approximately 3.1 in. About 2 oz. This model represents a double-deck bus used in urban services, the Leyland Titan (B15), introduced in 1977. Primarily operated by London Transport, the  Leyland Titan (B15) ¹ was 31.4 ft long and could accommodate up to 93 passengers, 73 seated and 20 standing. It featured air suspension and was fitted with either 177 bhp (132 kW) Gardner 6LXB or 170 bhp (127 kW) Leyland TL11 "L6" diesel  engine...

Scale model of a bus, the Airport Coach , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 65, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, between 1977 and 1980. Two-part body: the lower part in metal painted in dark blue and decorated with paper stickers on the sides, with graphics and the inscription "British Airways"; and the upper part in cream-colored plastic. Metal base, unpainted. Windows represented in transparent yellow (amber) tinted plastic. Interior details in cream-colored plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:98 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.9 oz. This model represents a fictional bus (or coach), presumably operated on express routes to airports. It's interesting—as a kid, I never liked this Airport Coach. There was something wrong with the proportions. Furthermore, a bus that somehow reminded me of my beloved Scenicruiser (or som...