Flxible diecast models represent an important part of American bus and coach history. Unlike passenger-car manufacturers commonly found in diecast collections, Flxible was an American manufacturer best known for intercity coaches, transit buses, specialty vehicles, and other commercial transportation products. The company built vehicles that served city transit systems, long-distance routes, airports, resorts, parks, and specialized operations throughout much of the 20th century.
Founded in Ohio in 1913 as the Flexible Side Car Company, Flxible originally manufactured motorcycle sidecars. The company adopted the distinctive Flxible spelling in 1919, and eventually expanded into buses and coaches. Its first bus was produced in 1924, beginning a long history that would make the company one of the recognizable names in American bus manufacturing.
For collectors, Flxible diecast models offer an opportunity to collect historic American transportation vehicles that are quite different from conventional cars and trucks. Depending on the product, shoppers may find classic Flxible buses, intercity coaches, transit buses, and historically significant designs such as the Clipper, Visicoach, Starliner, New Look, and Metro.
The History of Flxible Buses
Flxible's early transition from motorcycle sidecars to buses was driven by the changing transportation market of the 1920s. Its first bus was built on a Studebaker chassis in 1924. The company subsequently developed intercity coaches, ambulances, funeral cars, and other specialized vehicles.
During the 1930s, Flxible increasingly concentrated on intercity transportation. The Flxible Clipper became one of the company's best-known designs, with production beginning in the late 1930s. The streamlined coach was used on intercity routes and in a variety of specialty applications.
Flxible coaches were also used by airport transportation operators, sightseeing companies, resorts, movie studios, and other organizations. Some coaches were configured for sightseeing and specialty transportation, making them interesting subjects for collectors who want to represent more than ordinary city buses.
World War II temporarily changed the company's production priorities. Flxible contributed to wartime manufacturing, including components and parts associated with aircraft, military vehicles, and other equipment, before returning to commercial coach production after the war.
Flxible Clipper and Visicoach
The Flxible Clipper is arguably the most recognizable classic Flxible coach and one of the most desirable subjects for collectors interested in vintage American buses.
The Clipper was introduced in the late 1930s and became known for its rounded, streamlined body. A 29-passenger version introduced around 1939 used a modified Buick straight-eight engine. The coach became an important part of Flxible's intercity business and was produced in significant numbers.
In 1950, Flxible introduced the Visicoach, an enlarged and updated development of the Clipper design. It provided additional passenger space and an expanded engine compartment, allowing the company to accommodate larger powerplants. Approximately 925 Visicoaches were produced during the early 1950s.
The visual similarities between the Clipper and Visicoach make them particularly interesting when displayed together. Small differences in windows, body proportions, engine-compartment dimensions, and trim can help collectors identify the different generations.
Starliner and Other Classic Coaches
Flxible continued developing its intercity coach range during the 1950s and 1960s. The Starliner, introduced in 1957, continued the basic styling lineage of the Clipper and Visicoach while incorporating updated engineering and suspension technology.
Other historically important Flxible coaches included:
- Airway Coach – An intercity coach developed during the 1930s.
- Airporter – A coach used in airport and passenger transportation applications.
- VistaLiner VL-100 – A distinctive two-level intercity coach introduced in the mid-1950s.
- Hi-Level – A high-capacity intercity coach from the late 1950s and early 1960s.
- FlxLiner – A later intercity coach produced during the 1960s.
- Flxette – A smaller, light-duty transit bus.
- New Look – One of Flxible's most important transit-bus designs.
These models give collectors several ways to explore the evolution of American bus design, from streamlined highway coaches to practical urban transit vehicles.
Flxible New Look Buses
The Flxible New Look is especially important for collectors interested in American city transportation.
Introduced around 1960, the New Look became a familiar sight on city streets across the United States. Its rounded roofline, large passenger windows, distinctive front design, and rear-mounted engine reflected the changing requirements of modern urban transit. Production continued through 1978, making the New Look one of the company's longest-running and most recognizable bus designs.
Transit enthusiasts can use Flxible New Look models to represent the liveries and transportation systems of different cities and regions. Operator markings, fleet numbers, colors, destination signs, and other details can make otherwise similar buses significantly different collecting subjects.
Flxible 870 and Metro
Flxible's later history shifted increasingly toward modern transit buses. After the company was acquired by Rohr Industries in 1970 and subsequently became part of Grumman, the 870 Advanced Design Bus was developed as a new-generation transit vehicle.
The Grumman 870 was followed by the Flxible Metro, which became the company's principal transit-bus design during the 1980s and 1990s. The Metro was available in different lengths and configurations and was operated by numerous public transportation systems.
For collectors, these later buses provide a contrast to the rounded styling of the classic Clipper and New Look. A Flxible Metro model can be particularly appropriate for collections focused on modern American public transportation, city bus fleets, or specific transit agencies.
Flxible Specialty Vehicles
Flxible's history was not limited to passenger buses. The company also produced or converted vehicles for specialized applications, including ambulances, funeral cars, motor homes, airport transportation, sightseeing, postal service, bookmobiles, and other specialty uses.
This broader product history makes Flxible an interesting category for collectors who enjoy unusual commercial vehicles. A specialty Flxible model can complement collections featuring emergency vehicles, historic transportation, commercial vehicles, or vintage American equipment.
The company's ability to adapt its bus platforms for different purposes is also an important part of understanding why Flxible vehicles appeared in so many different environments.
Collecting Flxible Diecast Models
Flxible models appeal particularly strongly to bus collectors, transportation enthusiasts, vintage vehicle collectors, and modelers interested in American commercial vehicles.
When choosing a Flxible diecast model, consider:
- Bus type: Intercity coach, transit bus, specialty bus, or later transit design.
- Model: Clipper, Visicoach, Starliner, VistaLiner, New Look, 870, Metro, or another Flxible design.
- Era: Prewar, postwar, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, or later.
- Operator or livery: Transit agencies, private bus companies, resorts, airports, sightseeing operators, and other users can make a model especially meaningful.
- Fleet details: Destination signs, fleet numbers, logos, and other markings may distinguish one release from another.
- Scale: Choose a scale that works with the rest of your bus and commercial-vehicle collection.
- Manufacturer and construction: Check the individual product description for materials, dimensions, opening features, interior detail, and other specifications.
Because Flxible produced such a wide variety of vehicles over several decades, collectors can build a focused collection around one particular model or create a chronological display showing the company's evolution.
Flxible Model Scales
Bus and coach models are produced in a range of scales, and availability can vary considerably by vehicle and manufacturer.
1/43 scale can be an excellent choice for collectors building a broad transportation display. The relatively compact size makes it practical to represent multiple bus types, operators, and eras.
1/50 scale is another useful scale for commercial-vehicle and transportation collections when available. It provides a good balance between display size and detail.
1/72 and 1/87 scales may also appear among smaller transportation models, particularly when a manufacturer is producing a bus for a fleet, railroad, architectural, or broader vehicle collection.
Larger scales may be available for selected Flxible subjects. Always check the individual product listing for the exact scale and dimensions rather than assuming that every Flxible model is produced in the same format.
Building a Flxible Bus Collection
There are several interesting ways to organize a Flxible collection.
A classic coach collection could focus on the Clipper, Visicoach, and Starliner and show how Flxible's distinctive streamlined coach design evolved after World War II.
A city transit collection could concentrate on New Look, 870, and Metro buses, potentially representing different transit systems and eras.
A transportation-history collection could combine intercity coaches, urban buses, airport vehicles, specialty buses, and other Flxible products to illustrate the company's changing role in American transportation.
Collectors can also combine Flxible models with other historic American bus manufacturers to create a broader display of 20th-century public transportation.
Shop Flxible Diecast Models
Whether you are searching for a classic Flxible Clipper, Visicoach, Starliner, New Look, Metro, or another historic Flxible bus, these models provide a distinctive way to collect American transportation history in miniature.
Browse the available Flxible diecast models at DiecastModelsWholesale.com to find buses and coaches that fit your collection, preferred era, scale, and transportation interests.
