(Source: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/npocp-6-door-7-3l-turbodiesel-f-350-for-20k-1560741339)
Now, I have no idea why I got so lost in the obsession to find a bigger, better, more manly vehicle, because as a recent college grad I had very little money and only a Ford Ranger in my possession... so, what exactly did I need a bigger truck for? I knew this made no sense at all and even though I had nothing to haul I still had "big truck" envy - the Ford Ranger just didn't seem to be cutting it for me. Nevertheless onward I plowed with my internet researching. I got so intrigued with vehicles hauling trailers that I started "Google-ing" "Car Haulers" and that was the begging my my addition to the Scenicruiser.
Listed below is one of the images I came across within a YouTube video. I had never seen anything like this before. I was immediately hooked! What is it? How old? I had to learn more!!
As the "Google-ing" continued, I soon found what this amazing piece of machinery was called; The GM Scenicruiser. As I continued on, I scoured the web for more information along with trying to find ones for sale and how much they might cost.They were built by General Motor's Coach division for Greyhound from 1954-1956. Only 1001 of these miraculous machines were produced and they carried 43 seated passengers and I believe up to 10 standing. These were used all around America. Some even ended up going over seas. The model name of the Scenicruiser is PD4501. The "PD" stood for Parlor Diesel, as it was originally produced with two 4V71 Detroit Diesel engines that were mated together by the transmission. (Eventually these were replaced in with one 8V71 Detroit Diesel. The 8V71 was not ready for production when the Scenicruiser was revealed) The "45" stands for the amount of passengers it could carry... which was changed with the addition of the lower level restroom. This bumped the 45 passenger seats down to 43. The "01" in the model number stood for the series of the bus. Being that the Scenicruiser was the first 40-foot bus produced by GM and the first 40-footer allowed on the American road ways (Big deal at the time), it was the first in the new series.
I even joined a couple of Yahoo groups who's sole purpose is to talk about these buses; their uses and stories about riding them back in the day along with going over the proper care and maintenance of them today.
Needless to say, I was addicted!!
