4/28/20 2000 Walt Disney World MCI E-4500 Coach Bus

2020 is not only the 20^th anniversary of the Matchbox 2000 1-100 line with this time capsule that I present, but also this is the 20^th year that Matchbox and Disney have partnered up with the annual release of this MCI coach bus for sale at Disney World parks.  Over the years the colors have changed, the package design has been updated, and even the wheels changed over, but the overall bus casting still remains unique to the Disney theme parks.  The MCI bus company is one of the charter bus companies catering to transporting groups and teams across the nation with these fleet of buses, such as the E-4500 with its wrap-around front windshield and side glass to the rear-mounted I-6 turbodiesel making 435 horsepower.  Compared to the last coach bus that Matchbox released, the Ikarus Coach back in 1987, this is three times bigger allowing the correct size and dimensions of the bus really stand out.  The front has oval headlights with lower foglights and an MCI badge just below the tall windshield.  The side entrance/exit door is concealed along the body when closed for a clean look, as are the luggage storage panels between the axles and just below the passenger compartment.  The decal is just behind the side windows and here it represents Disney celebrating the new millennium, while three axles supply six wheels on this casting (the classic 8-slot treaded design later changed to flower pedal wheels and then to the recent six-spoke truck wheels).  The rear has the detailed vents for the rear engine compartment, exhaust tip, and even the taillights are painted red.  There is an interior behind the deep tinted glass with the driver sitting lower and closer to the road with an expansive vision out the windshield, while the passengers sit higher with ample rows for people to sit.  This is one impressive casting and it astounds me that this bus is still being made by Matchbox for 20 years straight and still in collaboration with Disney theme parks with minimal changes.  That’s an impressive feat for a promotional model!

Specifications:

· Engine: 12.7L turbodiesel I-6, 435 hp.

· Transmission: 6-speed automatic

· 0-60 mph: 18.0 sec. est.

· Real vehicle price: $500,000 est. 2000

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars