SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM

DETAILS

Chassis: Seddon Pennine 7

Body: Alexander C42FT

Engine: Gardner 6HLXB

First Licensed: June 1976

Lathalmond (Ross Scoular)

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It was withdrawn in the late 80s (date unknown) and spent time with various small operators until bought for preservation in August 1994.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?)

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.

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)

Lathalmond, August 2001 (Gerry Cushley)