Superior - Sunnyside
Producers of a wide and varried range of school buses as well as vintage style transit buses. Common construction traites include: diecast metal body castings, clear plastic windows, pull back and go action motors at the rear wheels, full interiors, opening doors (generally at least two), and free rolling wheels riding on rubber like tires. The brand logo is a large capital S with lines streaking out of the backside as if the S was speeding past, this logo can be found cast into most if not all toy base plates. Base plates are plastic and generally have the item number preceeded by SS cast into the frame.
Note: Variation designations where listed were decided arbitrarily.
SS 9853 - 1:50 O Scale - Old Look Transit Style Bus Series
Superior brand model 9853 buses appear to be based on the GM "Old Look" Transit Buses produced from the late 1940's thru the 1950's. There are two primary production types, one that features a metal roof with four red clear plastic marker lamps. The second type used a plastic roof with no top marker lamps. The plastic roof reduces the toys overall weight by about 2.5 ounces and allows the pull back action motor to propel the bus faster and farther than the earlier buses. Unfortunately the second style models just don't have the same look without the marker lamps. In addition the plastic roof looks much poorer in comparison to the metal roof and also tends to look buldged out on the back side of the bus. Another difference between the models is the pull back motor. On the first version body the motor is quite loud and almost seems to shake a bit. Conversely the second style body motors are much quieter and seem very smooth, but seem to be less powerful. All variations feature opening front doors (most are plastic, but I do have at least one example with metal front doors) and emergency side door (metal), chrome wheels with rubber tires and a full interior. These buses are about O scale (and were marketed as such by K-Line). Favorites include the School Bus and Sheriff Bus variations. It appears that these buses are sold loose, or in packs of six.
First Style Bodies:
Type: School Bus Variation: White Top
Type: School Bus Variation: Yellow Top
Type: Sheriff Bus Variation: Variation A
Type: Sheriff Bus Variation: Variation B
Type: Route Master Variation: Greenland Co Tours Service England - Blue & White
Route: Western Castle Fleet #: 1083
Type: Route Master Variation: Greenland Co Tours Service England - Orange & Silver
Route: Western Castle Fleet #: 1083
Type: Route Master Variation: NY289-873 - The Classic Transporter - Cream & Forest Green
Route: Western Castle Fleet #: 1083
Type: Route Master Variation: NY289-873 - The Classic Transporter - Yellow & Black
Route: Western Castle Fleet #: 1083
Type: Route Master Variation: 1869 Commercials International Group - Red/White
Route: Western Castle Fleet #: 1083
Type: Route Master Variation: 1869 Commercials International Group - Tan & Burgandy
Route: Western Castle Fleet #: 1083
Second Style Bodies:
Route Master 1869 Commercials International Group - Black and Yellow
Route Master 1869 Commercials International Group - Black, White and Yellow
Route Master 1869 Commercials International Group - Black, Orange and White
SS 985x - 1:45 O Scale - International School Bus
The 9852 & 9855 school bus series models are based on the International conventional style school bus. This particular casting is sold as 1:45 scale but the models have been marketed as O gauge by K-Line. In a similar fashion to the 685x series there is a high quality variation and a lower quality variation of the 9852.
Sunnyside #: 9852 Variation: 1
Notes: This is the higher quality variation of this model. Features metal front doors as well as a more detailed crossing light area with individual light pieces and backing plate as well as tail lights of similar construction (versus the painted variations shown below). It also utilizes different wheels that are taller than the standard SS9853 wheel, this wheel type uses a lower profile tire to maintain an overall wheel size that is close to the other variations. Unfortunately these oversized rims detract from the authenticity of the model.
Sunnyside #: 9852 Variation: Police
Notes: This police variation was based on the higher quality version of this model.
Sunnyside #: 9852 Variation: 2
Notes: This variation features the International name and logo underneath the front grille of the bus. This model also shares the same wheels and tires as the SS9583.
Sunnyside #: 9855
Notes: This model appears nearly identical to SS9852 variation 1 but with a few notable differences. This bus features added detail in the hood casting, the ommision of the International nameplate and a slightly different and larger knob for opening the front doors.
SS6828 - 1:64 S Scale - GM Old Look/Mack C Series
School Bus
Sheriff Bus Red Variation
Sheriff Bus Black and White Variation
SS 685x - 1:64 S Scale - International School Bus
There are two models in this series, the SS6851 and the SS6856. Though virtually identical there are numerous small differences. SS6851 is considerably nicer in many respects. It features real molded multiple piece crossing lights on the front and rear of the bus. SS6851 also features a very realistic looking grille with the word International written across the top. SS6856 has printed crossing lamps, a generic black plastic grille, plastic front side door, and a little extra detail groove on the hood. In addition the front above the windshield and rear above the rear windows no longer have a reliefed area where the crossing lamps were installed (I would presume to facilitate the graphics printing). This in itself detracts heavily from the overall authentic look of the toy and is added to by a change in the plastic mounting tabs on the windshield (bottom tabs now off center and of uneven sizes that are distracting when viewed). Bus 6851 can also be found in a minor variation that features a unique grille (pictured below).
Sunnyside #: 6851
Sunnyside #: 6856
K-Line Kruisers:
Some Sunnyside bus design appears to have been contracted out to the K-Line company and were sold as model railroad accessories. These models appear to still be produced by Sunnyside, but have a sticker covering the Sunnyside logo and part number. These buses also come in a box and are part of the Kruisers train accessory line. Note that some regular issues have been found as K-Line issues as well.
Route Master New York City Police Department NYPD Bus
