1/50 GMC TMC NOVA RTS Rapid Transit Series CITY BUS NEW

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1:50 GMC TMC NOVA RTS Rapid Transit Series BUS, NEW in BOX 1:50 scale (approx 9" long) new (hard plastic) REPLICA of a GM RTS04 Transit city Bus, made from 1978-2003. This particular model comes with lights painted and roof hatches, handles, outlines, etc. accentuated. Tires are rubber and free rolling. It has great details for a bus bank. This bus bank has coin slit on the top and trap door on the bottom. It would look good pristine white or you can paint it in your city's colors.This bus has a very interesting and long history. It really did go through 3 manufacturer/owners during its long production life, first designed by GMC Truck and Coach Division, then sold to MCI's subsidiary TMC (Transportation Motor Coaches) and then finally sold to NOVA Bus. Throughout it all, the outward features and basic designs of this well made bus stayed the same. It was introduced in the late 70's (1977, I believe, was the first prototype) by GM as their model of the federal governmen't's mandate to produce a new "Advanced Design Bus (ADB)" to replace the aging Fishbowl. Several bus companies, including GMC, Flexible, and AMC , came out with their own versions of the ADB. This RTS bus, when first appeared in 1977, was just as revolutionary as its GM predecessor, the Fishbowl. With its smooth white modular walls and large panoramic window and outlandish curves, it drew quite a few stares from on lookers. It was as different looking as a bus can be from the silver sided, funny looking Fishbowls. You can say it was very futuristic looking for its time, both the RTS and the Fishbowl. Anyway, most cities with a transit system immediately started using the RTS. However, being a radically new design, it did have many "teething problems" during its early years and were hated by many transit agencies due to frequent breakdowns, especially with the troublesome Air conditioning unit, which was initially placed in the lower rear with the engine. Those early RTSs were called "slopebacks". Some of you may remember those early troublesome RTSs. They would frequently overheat and break down, and with the federal mandate of all air-conditioned buses with sealed windows, you can imagine the hot and frustrated passengers and bus drivers! In later units, such as this model, the A/C was placed on top of the engine still in the rear, and this solved the problem. Over time, the RTS became a great bus and took on a reputation for durability and reliability that GMC's previous transit workhorse, the "fishbowl", enjoyed. The RTS went on to a long production life, from its inception in 1977 to finally the retirement of its design by NOVA Bus in 2003. Throughout its life, its rights for production have passed from GMC to TMC in the mid80's and from TMC to NOVA BUS in the early 90's. Today, a newer version of the bus is made by NOVA , and Nova Bus only stopped making the RTS in about 2003. The RTS rights, from what I understand, has been sold to another independent company, Millenium Bus, and they are restarting their production of this famous bus w/ first orders coming from the big New Jersey Transit operating authority.You pay shipping. Thanks for looking. Be sure to check my other auctions for other great model buses!!! I strongly prefer electronic payment via . It is an EASY and FAST transaction and you will receive your shipment much faster. I will also accept money order or cashier's check sent by snail mail. Thank you very much. read more

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