Yesteryear Collection - 1922 Scania Vabis Half Track Post Bus

The Post-Bus was developed jointly by Scania and the Swedish G.P.O. to provide postal and passenger services in scattered rural areas. This 2.64 ton (2680 kg) Bus could carry 12 passengers and the mail, and was powered by a 4 cyl. 3.5 litre engine developing 36 b.h.p. The model represents the vehicle equipped for winter operation.

After the merger of Scania with Vabis in 1911, due to financial problems at Vabis, passenger cars were still built until 1922. After that, only trucks and buses were built. This model is a bus specially built for the Swedish postal company with skis and caterpillars that could transport mail but also 12 passengers.

The (Y16-4) 1922 Scania Vabis Half Track Bus was produced in 1988 as part of worldwide issue - total production quantity = 60,000 units.

Livery: (Tampo)
Dark blue coachlines below the window frames (except at front of vehicle).
Dark blue coachlines to roof edge.
Royal crowns in gold, red and blue above a horn outlined in dark blue with light blue 'N21' below on both bus sides.
(Label)
'Z1089' in black on white labels on front and rear numberplate.

Variations/Rarities: The bus had a yellow body and a gloss black chassis and wings.
The roof was grey painted metal.
It had a black grille with gold plated radiator and headlights.
The 12 spoke wheels were gold plated with black rubber tyres.
The windows have clear perspex panels.
The roof has YY35 embossed so it must have been renumbered very early in production.
In 1998 a small quantity fitted with black seat/floor components came into the collectors market. Evidently a quantity of unopened outer containers were found in a Dublin warehouse. It is not known how many there were, however it is likely that it is less than 72.
The only other known variation although unlisted is yellow or orange skis.

Note: It was issued in a superior Type-O gold and red box. The packaging erroneously described the model as circa 1923 instead of 1922.


1922 Scania Vabis Half Track Bus	Snow Mountain Inn, Ski Lodge & Resort (Matchbox Collectibles YY035/SB)	Matchbox Collectibles YYM36793; 1922 Christmas Scania Vabis Post Bus; North Pole Mail Delivery	Holiday Special (Matchbox Collectibles; Special Christmas Collection; YSC01)	Stockholm Automobil Trafik Aktiebolag (Matchbox Collectibles; European Transit Collection; YET04)

Information as from "The Yesteryear Book 1956-2002"
Issue	Year of Release	Colour	Roof	Seats/Floor	Plated Parts	Grille	Wheels	Half Track Pony Wheels	Caterpillar Track	Painted Trim	Ski's	Baseplate	Rarity	Box
1	1988	Yellow body, gloss black chassis & half track supports	Stove enamel light grey	Brown	Gold	Black	Gold 12 spoke	Black solid	Black	Royal blue	Yellow	MATCHBOX © 1988 SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION MACAU		O
2		Yellow body, gloss black chassis & half track supports	Stove enamel light grey	Black	Gold	Black	Gold 12 spoke	Black solid	Black	Royal blue	Yellow	MATCHBOX © 1988 SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION MACAU	ER	O
Box: O - Large red and gold 'Special Limited Edition'