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Don't know if any members here collect these, but if there are and you want something a bit special, hunt this model down.

Its a 1/76th scale diecast Van hool Alizee coach built on a Volvo chassis. This is in the 'Shearings' livery and catalogue number 42701. The model was introduced by Corgi during 1996 and is the very first version with the 'TWO-PART' seat moulding, meaning there is a fair sized gap in the middle of the 'Off-Side row of seats. It looks as if Corgi got there facts wrong and designed the seat moulding with a big gap to allow for a door to be inserted into the outer bodywork, so the seats would have a few steps leading up into the main walking area.

Somebody pointed this out and Corgi corrected the moulding to fill-in the gap with the missing seats. This first version therefore is Very Hard To Find and I have had it from new, but I don't know why I have it, I don't collect the 'Original Omnibus' range. It is absolutely mint in box with all the included papaerwork still Sellotaped to the underside of the plastic plynth and it has never been taken off the plynth, not even the clear plastic cover has been disturbed.

GHOSTHUNTER.

I suspect the gap may well have been to allow for the fitting of a toilet, they were usually half way down the offside together with a 'continental door' which allows for loading and unloading of passengers in those countries that drive on the different side of the road to us Brits.

Correct Ewan, that does suggest the reason for the gap in the moulding, but for some reason Corgi were unable to mould this feature and quickly filled-it on later production with I believe more seats!!

Ghosty.

Van Hools are not very popular subjects for British bus nerds who tend to prefer homegrown Plaxton and Duple coaches so I would expect these to be available for around £5 each new at bus rallies like the Duxford sunday coming up in September - I cant go this year but expect hundreds of good condition near mint Lesney buses of all sorts to be there on sale for just a £1-2 each from deceased bus nerd collections

SMS88 wrote:Van Hools are not very popular subjects for British bus nerds who tend to prefer homegrown Plaxton and Duple coaches so I would expect these to be available for around £5 each new at bus rallies like the Duxford sunday coming up in September - I cant go this year but expect hundreds of good condition near mint Lesney buses of all sorts to be there on sale for just a £1-2 each from deceased bus nerd collections

bus nerds

SMS88 wrote:Van Hools are not very popular subjects for British bus nerds who tend to prefer homegrown Plaxton and Duple coaches so I would expect these to be available for around £5 each new at bus rallies like the Duxford sunday coming up in September - I cant go this year but expect hundreds of good condition near mint Lesney buses of all sorts to be there on sale for just a £1-2 each from deceased bus nerd collections

I must be in a bit of minority - the Van Hool Alizee was imho one of the best looking coaches of all time, and certainly the best of it's era. I'm trying to cure the bus-nerdiness by flogging off my 'stuff' on ebay - suspect the funds will be hijacked for my diecast-nerdiness as one addiction replaces another