This model is commonly refered to as "the Volvo bus", despite the fact that one of the variants didn't even represent a Volvo, but a Commer.
The characteristic boxy body was made by Danish coachbuilder SMH based on a Volvo B617 chassis. When Tekno launched the model, the prototype (B617) had already gone out of production and on the successor(s) B655/B656/B657 the front doors were moved out in front of the axle.
Tekno's bus came in a large number of liveries, but only one, the red DSB bus, is reasonably accurate in a historic perspective, since only they ever had B617/SMH buses in their fleet.
To make matters even worse, SMH changed name to NK shortly after Tekno's bus hit the shop shelves and this led to Tekno blanking out the "SMH"-stamp on the base, leaving the model completely nameless for the remainder of the production period.
Some variants, like the danish city buses of Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg, were only produced for a very short time, while others, like the KS and DSB remained in Tekno's range year after year, slightly changing over time (adverts, destination signs, window colors, wheel types and roofs)
This variant is in the livery of Aarhus Sporveje, the transit company of Denmark's vice-capital. It was among the first variants issued, and unlike the Copenhagen city bus (KS livery), the Aarhus-bus was only produced for a very limited time. While most of the buses were distributed nationwide and even internationally, the city buses from Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg were intended for sale in the corresponding cities only - other toy stores could order them upon request, but this didn't happen very often.
Because this is a very early version, the SMH-logo is still on the baseplate. Another remarkable feature is the placement of the rear destination sign: on the right side of the roof, behind the rear wheels. This looks wrong, but it's no coincidence: in Aarhus entry was through the rear doors only, so destination signs had to be there. But Tekno's casting wasn't made for this - it doesn't even have rear doors! So the Hellesens (battery) ad is placed where the rear doors should be! The destination of "Højvang" is historically correct and belonged to Aarhus route number 3.
This variant, especially in good condition is, as could be expected, as rare as hen's teeth!
