Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]

Announcements (Updated: July 11, 2018)

Welcome to Swifty's Garage!


Thanks to all of you for making this board what it is today!


Attention new members: We would like to welcome you personally, so please introduce yourself. Click here: INTRODUCTIONS


For all the latest news and announcements, please click here: PA System



Thank you - The Swifty's Garage Team




This board is best viewed at 1024 x 768 Resolution

Car of the Week:


Matchbox 1968 Ford F-100


Click Here: Matchbox '68 Ford F-100
Welcome to Swifty's Garage. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

Thank You,
The Swifty's Garage Team


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features.

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Bus Of The Day: October 13, 2009; Corgi '81 Mercedes-Benz 608D Minibus
Topic Started: Oct 13 2009, 01:15 AM (500 Views)
NoirGuru
Member Avatar
The All Original Gentleman
Posted Image

Today's bus of the day is Corgi's 1981 Mercedes 608D Minibus.

Posted Image

Omnibuses 2.0
 
Based on the successful Mercedes 608 chassis cab and panel van, the basic design, with its understated, almost inconsequential bonnet, dated back to 1967, as one of several light/medium models sharing the same cab design, known as T2s/Düsseldorfers, after the plant in which they were manufactured. The T2 remained on the order books till 1996, nearly 30 years, thereafter becoming the Vario.


Posted Image

For more information and pictures of the real bus (Stock) please visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_Vario, or http://omnibuses.blogspot.com/2007/02/mercedes-608.html.

Posted Image

I got this bus at a rummage sale several summers ago, and it was only recently that I had found out it was in fact my first Corgi to my collection. It always was my airport shuttle from the arrivals to the rental car agency when I was younger.

The casting definitely shows it's age, simple lines and washed out details and all. It kind of made for a bus with a lot of character, one I'll never outgrow.

Posted Image

Omnibus 2.0
 
The minibus Mercedes-Benz L608D panel van (to give its full designation) and its predecessor began to be converted for UK minibus operation in the very early 1970s, more often than not as a minicoach, albeit in small numbers. And there it waited, in limited roles, including a few rural and suburban bus services where limited demand and width gave it merit.

...

It was from 1984 that urban Britain famously experienced the minibus phenomenon. For the first two years, the converted Ford Transit dominated. It was from 1986 that the converted Mercedes 608 began to become popular. It’s not hard to see why, in spite of a design identical to its introduction as the T2/Düsseldorfer panel van of 1967. The 608 had only a few of the Transit’s limitations, the 608 often becoming the minibus conversion of choice.

The Mercedes Benz:

* Offered 19-20 seats in a 2+1 arrangement that was considerably more comfortable for passengers.
* Offered a longer body and slightly lower floor and was better able to accommodate standees.
* Was popular with fleet engineers owing to its heavier duty and simple engineering, being more robust in intensive urban driving situations.
* Was more popular with drivers, owing to its driving characteristics and gearbox.
* Badge offered a certain cachet, compared to the Fords'.

...

The Mercedes 608D scored over the Transit owing to its larger seating capacity and ability to carry standing loads far better and more comfortably, critical in urban minibus operation. The single seats on the near side, though slim, were arguably more popular with passengers, when compared to the cramped conditions of the Transit.


Posted Image
Edited by NoirGuru, Oct 13 2009, 10:01 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
James
Member Avatar
Mr.Bowtie
Beats mine, I have missing wheels, so it is in the to do list for a little upgrade, I was/a, hoping to get a Corgi that is beyond repair but has great wheels but that is harder to find then hen's teeth.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Sak
Member Avatar
Ezekiel 25:17
I got this at Columbus some time ago. A buck.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ivantt
Member Avatar
New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
Now that is one cool casting1
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Car Of The Day · Next Topic »
Add Reply



March's Picture of The Month Contest



Congratulations DinoMom for winning March's contest!



April's Picture of The Month Contest



Congratulations carsdownunder for winning April's contest!






Powered By

This board is best viewed at 1024 x 768 Resolution


eXTReMe Tracker