THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - 7424 SP

BACKGROUND HISTORY

Photo: Eddie Taylor, Perth Bus Station, 13 December 1974

AEC introduced the Reliance underfloore-engined chassis as a lightweight successor to the Regal IV and the first examples started appearing in 1954. It proved popular, and subsequent years saw progressive specification modifications to suit changing requirements. Many coachbuilders produced bus and coach bodies for the model, and in the early sixties uprating in engine output followed the introduction of 36ft-long chassis in line with increase in permitted lengths. The last Reliance chassis were produced in 1979, albeit under the Leyland marque.

HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE

In the summer of 1962, following the Alexander split of 1961, Alexander Fife took delivery of 12 in number AEC Reliances with Alexander Z type ('BUT' influenced) 41 seat coach bodies . These vehicles were numbered FAC1-12 (7421-32SP) and were the first AECs to operate in the Fife area. Nine identical vehicles were delivered to Alexander Northern. During the next 4 years a further 47 Reliances entered service with Fife. However, all the later vehicles carried the Alexander Y type bodywork. By 1981 all AECs in Fife had been withdrawn.

Methil, 17 May 1977 (Eddie Taylor)

Photo: Kirkcaldy, May 1962, on delivery from coach works (Eddie Taylor Collection)

As delivered the first 12 had 470 engines, and with their side roof windows, netting luggage rack and open driver's cabin they gave the impression of having very bright and roomy interiors. The 12 were allocated to various depots throughout the county. All carried the new Alexander Fife coach livery of cream body and window pillars with Ayres red waistband and roof, and sported the f1ying bluebird motif (dropped by Fife shortly afterwards). Two destination blinds were fitted below the front windscreens, the offside one carrying the company name. Vehicle length is 31 feet and the width 8 feet.

FAC4 was allocated to Aberhill (Leven) depot where it remained for its entire life with Fife. It is reported that its first revenue-earning run was a private tour to Blackpool. In the beginning it would have principally operated on private and public tours.

From 1965-67 FAC1-12 were all converted from coach to dual purpose vehicles. This involved fitting a new front dome with conventional destination blind and route number layout, fitting a semi-enclosed driver’s cab and an electrically operated two-leaf door, and repainting to bus livery of red roof and body with cream waistband and window pillars. During their service life several of the 12 vehicles underwent a seating change, some being fitted with basic bus type seating and some with dual-purpose seating. FAC4 however retained its original coach type seating. Also, during visits to the workshops some vehicles (FAC4 included) were fitted with a new internal heating system, operated by hot water from the engine, replacing the totally inadequate hot air through the radiator system. Some vehicles were also fitted out for one-man operation.

Awaiting collection for preservation, Kirkcaldy, December 1978 (Eddie Taylor)

During its working life FAC4 would have operated on routes such as: 27 - Leven to Glasgow; 308 - Leven to Kirkcaldy; 354 - Leven to Perth; 357 - Leven to St. Andrews. In later life it would find itself operating on local school, factory and pit services. In 1977 it was fitted with a tow bar and ended its days at Aberhill as the ‘garage’ bus. However, by the summer of 1978 - with only three of the batch remaining - it was sent to Central SMT to cover a vehicle shortage, operating out of Motherwell. FAC4 returned to Fife in November 1978 - not to Aberhill, but instead to the main depot in Kirkcaldy to await disposal. FAC12 returned a few weeks later and it too was placed on the disposal list. The full details of FAC1-12 are as below:

All the above, except FAC4, were sold to T. Muir, Kirkcaldy, and scrapped almost immediately.

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE

Rosyth Civic Week Parade, Summer 1981 (Eddie Taylor)

FAC4 was purchased for preservation by Eddie Taylor and Mike Chapman in December 1978, direct from Alexander Fife, and towed to a farm in Dunfermline where work began almost immediately. Inspection revealed several jobs to be carried out, mostly of a minor nature. It had already been decided to repaint the vehicle in its original coach livery, and by April 1980, after much rubbing down in the street, it was finally painted. Over the next few years it travelled the country attending many rallies, from Inverness to Southsea, winning many trophies on the way. One problem continues to plague the vehicle, namely its tendency to overheat. In 20,000 miles of ownership in preservation it has had the head gaskets replaced three times. For the past few years it has been a static exhibit in the Museum Exhibition Hall, as much work is required to bring it up to MOT standard (the owners currently working on other projects).