THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM -
MSF 750P
DETAILS
Chassis: Seddon Pennine
7
Body: Alexander C42FT
Engine: Gardner
6HLXB
First Licensed: June
1976
(Photo: Ross Scoular, Lathalmond)
BACKGROUND HISTORY
Not available - can
anyone help
HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE
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MSF
750P was new in June 1976 to Scottish Omnibuses (Eastern Scottish), fleet no
XS750A. It was one of only six 12m Pennines built for SOL, and operated on Edinburgh
to London services - with the result that it clocked up a huge mileage very
quickly. It was withdrawn in the late 80s (date unknown) and spent time with various small operators until bought for preservation in August 1994. Despite being used as PSV until being brought into preservation, restoration was a lengthy task. Left: MSF 750P as it arrived at Lathalmond (Who? When?) |
RESTORATION DETAILS
The body has received the
major attention including, replacement of the boot and rear and front ends, replacement
of the rearmost body bearers - which had fractured and were only accessible by
removing the boot ceiling, new battery box welded into position and numerous
other tasks. During Scottish Bus group ownership, the original ribbed trims on
the side of the bus had been ground down and panelled over, so something like
500ft of trim had to be replaced after the panels had been repaired. Each panel
is a moulded section 40ft long, so conventional panel replacement was not
possible.
Mechanically the coach was
in reasonable condition, though numerous smaller jobs were accomplished such as
replacement of handbrake linkage bushes, etc. The power steering piping has
been renewed where necessary, and more recently attention has been given to the
cooling system - always a problem on these vehicles.
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Much
time was spent on the electrical system with much "bodged" wiring
being tidied up. Even a simple task such as lighting took on mammoth
proportions as each seat has an individual reading light with an individual switch,
which were all renewed. The charging system has also been problematic. Several of the double glazed window units had to be replaced whilst internally the reclining seats have been partially retrimmed and almost 30 years of grime removed from the carpets! The vehicle has been repainted into its original "Scottish" livery and bulk of the restoration was completed in 2001 allowing testing to PSV standard. (Gavin F Booth) |
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