Model Collector – August 2019

60 http://www.modelcollector.com | auguat 2019

| a new take on an old classic

MB1089 – the new version
The new version from 2018
is very similar to the old one
and only a couple of milli-
metres longer. The windows,
glazed with clear plastic, are
now more deeply recessed.
Most, especially those in the
roof, are smaller than before;
the exception being the rear
window, which is about twice
the size of the original. The
small front side windows have
also lost their central pillar –
on the right side this actually
forms the edge of the door. The
roof is slightly more rounded
and less box-like. The length
has been reduced in the same
way as before, by omitting one
window per side in the rear
section. Although the body is
the same width as that of the
original version, overall width
is slightly greater, as rear view
mirrors have been added on
each side. This model depicts
the original Scenicruiser,
with two small engine access
hatches. Again, there are
single wheels all around,
although this time of the wide
Superfast type, with chrome
hubs. The name on the plastic
base is ‘GMC Scenic Cruiser’
(two words) rather than
‘Scenicruiser’. Both the
Matchbox and Mattel names
appear. The model number is
MB1089, with the date ‘2017’
and ‘Made in Thailand’ script

also featuring. As usual

with Thai-made Matchbox

models, there's a tiny elephant

logo. The accompanying card

carries the description ‘1955

GMC® Scenic Cruiser’ and

has the number 8/125, there

having been 125 models in

the 2018 Matchbox range.

Only the white upper body

is metal; the orange lower half

being plastic. The baseplate,

incorporating the front and rear

bumpers is fashioned from

silver-grey plastic. The orange

interior has just fi ve rows of

seats, two on the lower deck,

and three on the upper, plus a

seat and steering wheel for the

driver opposite the entry door.

All the windows are glazed with

clear plastic, the windscreen

having gained wipers. The

bizarre thing is that despite the

greater use of plastic in the new

version, it is very slightly heavier

than the original!

This fi rst release on the new

casting has a fi ctional colour

scheme of orange and white,

with a yellow and orange stripe

along the sides. The side panels

carry the words 'Matchbox Bus

Line – Travel in Style' in black,

white and orange. The fl eet

number, 58, appears behind

the windows. The small side

lights are picked out in red and

orange on the diecast upper

body, but none of the lights on

the plastic lower body have

been coloured.

From box to blister

When the original Sceni-

cruiser appeared, Matchbox

models still came in small

cardboard boxes, with end

fl aps. Superfast models then

had the Superfast name added

The original and the most recent

versions: the most immediately notice-

able changes are the Superfast wheels

and the much greater use of plastic.

The fi rst release on the new 2018

casting: only the white upper body

is metal, the rest is orange or silver

plastic.

The new model has wide Superfast wheels, again there are single wheels on the

rear axles; with a plastic base. The model is identifi ed as a GMC Scenic Cruiser.

The roof windows on the new model

are much smaller than on the earlier

version, and are now recessed rather

than fl ush fi tting.

Tampo printing is confi ned to the

metal part of the new model, the livery

here being fi ctious.

The two small front windows on the

new model have lost their metal central

pillar, which is now moulded as part of

the window itself and has all but disap-

peared. Rear view mirrors have been

added as part of the upper body casting.

The small lights along the sides have

been picked out in red and orange.