Collectible Scale Models & Vintage Toys:
- Diecast Models
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Corgi Diecast
Dinky
EFE Diecast
Hotwheels Diecast
JOAL
Johnny Lightning
Lledo Diecast
Majorette
Matchbox Miniature
Other Scale Diecast...
Road Champs
Siku
Solido
Tomica (Tomy)
Vitesse
- Coin Banks
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Royal Coach 1990s Bank Bus - Suburban Trails MCI
Royal Coach 1990s Bank Bus - Peter Pan Bus Lines MCI
Royal Coach New York City Transit GM RTS Bus Bank
Royal Coach New Jersey Transit GM RTS Bus Bank
Eagle Bus Bank (Buses to the Stars - Sawyer Brown)
Collecting Scale Replica Model Vehicles
While most hobbyists and collectors of diecast scale model vehicles focus on vintage muscle cars, trucks or HO / O scale trains... a small, but dedicated group choose to collect scale model buses (1:50, HO scale, O scale...) and related transit memorabilia.
Tell anyone you collect miniature diecast model buses and you'll get snappy remarks like, "That's for kids" or worse yet, "That's weird." It's okay to see a grown man in the toy section of Walmart looking at NASCAR replicas, Matchbox or Hotwheels miniatures, but not modelbuses. Same thing goes for the unassembled plastic model kits by Revell or AMT... tons of muscle cars and even big rigs, but never a bus. Why not?
In the UK, collectors of vintage die-cast models are more organized and prevalent. Here in the United States, collecting vintage scale model buses and vintage toys are regarded as a strange hobby with little in the way of models or information on them. That has now been changing with Corgi releasing several 1:50 / O scale vintage American diecast vehicles including the classic 1954 Raymond Lowey designed General Motors PD 4501 Greyhound Scenicruiser. There have now even been books published on scale model and toy buses adding a bit of legitimacy to the model and toy bus collecting community.
A quick look at eBay reveals astronomical prices for many of those old pressed steel, die-cast, slush-mold, promotional models, rubber toys, Japanese tin friction, and tin lithoplate toy buses from the 1950s and 1960s and certain custom made promotional coin banks. Speaking of collectible coin banks, there are tons of oil company memorabilia such as Coca Cola vehicles or Texaco oil tankers in the form of banks, but did you know there are also coin banks in the shape of buses available in various liveries and desings?
ToyBusExpo.com was created to fill the void for scale model and toy bus collectors. I've taken just about every scale die cast model and toy bus in my collection and put them here with full color photos. You can add your comments and reviews for each scale model and even submit photos of models in your collection! Please do not be afraid to post a comment or post photos of your models or toys as we are all united by a common bond: we love scale model buses. Whether it be a GM 4104, Continental Trailways Golden Eagle, GM fishbowl, Setra, Routemaster, AEC... Model railroading fans are also invited to join us as scale model buses play a prominent role in many O and HO scale layouts and dioramas. Enjoy and tell your friends about us!
Scale Diecast Model Manufacturers:
- Corgi Diecast Models
- St. Petersburg Custom Made Models
- American Precision Models (APM)
- Royal Coach Promotional Bus Banks
- Hotwheels Miniature Diecast Vehicles
- Road Champs Miniatures
We showcase rare and collectible scale model buses, toys and transportation memorabilia and would love for you to post your comments, collecting tips...
Corgi Burlingham Seagull (West Coast Motor Service) Diecast Bus
Scale Models & Toys Representing:
- Greyhound (US)
- Continental Trailways (US)
- Public Service Coordinated Transport of New Jersey (US)
- GMC / General Motors: GMC old looks, new look fishbowls, Scenicruiser PD 4501...
- Yellow Coach: 740...
- MCI (Motor Coach Industries): MC-5, MC-7, MC-9, Americruiser...
- Flxible: Clippers, Flyers, D-series...
- Eagle: Golden Eagle, 01, 05...
- Mack: MV-620-D, C-45DT...
Talk to other scale model collectors and compare notes or ask for help finding that rare model bus that you've been looking for.