DESCRIPTION: This is a rare, large size bus (for a cast iron toy). It is marked on both sides “COAST TO COAST”. It is not marked by the manufacturer, but my research indicates it was made by Dent of Fullerton, Pennsylvania. It features wheels that roll. Dent was a competitor of the Arcade, Hubley, and Kenton toy manufacturers.
MATERIALS: All cast iron, a magnet sticks to all parts of it. As you can see, the wheels are brass or copper plated over the cast iron.
DIMENSIONS: Measures 15 ¼ inches long a big toy.
CONDITION: I believe this is a well done restoration. It was probably painted because it has a repaired crack on the left front window post. It has picked up a few paint chips since being painted. If you look closely at the roof, there are several paint chips that you can see plating under the paint. So, the entire cast iron bus is probably copper or brass plated under the paint. Also, there is a factory crack on the right rear roof support (more of a factory flaw). The rear window is a little larger on one side than the other (again, a factory flaw).There are slots on the inside which may have been for seats . If so then they are missing.
This is a great bus that will be a wonderful addition to any cast iron antique toy or bus collection. It will look good with your Greyhound, Trailways, or World’s Fair bus collection.
FYI: Our pictures are taken under bright incandescent camera lighting or using a flash that sometimes fades out the colors or makes them appear brighter. This also helps to show all distinguishing features and possible flaws on the item. Most of our antiques and collectibles have much darker, deeper, richer colors than appear in some of our photos, especially reds that tend to turn orange in appearance. Most of the items are photographed on a solid black or bright white background. If you have a question about the color of this item, please feel free to ask questions, because from my monitor to your monitor, the colors may appear different. So, you might think you are offerding on a rare color, when it might be a common color.
If you win more than one item, I will combine the items for shipment and charge shipping according to weight.
On Apr-23-14 at 08:02:09 PDT, seller added the following information:
ATTENTION ATTENTION I have been told that this bus is what is known in the toy collector world as a SECOND CASTING . It was possibly made in the 1970s from an original mold as it is the same exact length as the original castings .They must have made them in limited numbers as you do not see them around much. I found a record of one that sold a few years back from the highly regarded Kaufmann collection . It was listed as a second casting and sold for $650 . . Whatever it is it is still not your every day find and will make an interesting addition to your collection .
