AEC Reliance Plaxton Consort

8332 U

Details

Chassis AEC Reliance
Chassis No MU3RA 1951 Y
Engine AEC 6 cyl. mid mounted underfloor AH 470 developing 112 bhp at 2000 revs p/m
Eng Number
Brakes Air assisted
Steering Unassisted
Transmission  Manual 5 speed syncro
Body Plaxton Consort C41C Centre Entrance
Body number 2291
Date of first registration 1958 

About

New in 1958, this AEC Reliance was part of 18 similar style coaches for Leeds based Wallace Arnold. 8332 U was used in their promotional film in 1959, and was owned by the firm until 1967, when sold to Scottish operator Carson, Dunvegan. By September 1970, 8332U was with its third owner, this time Alexander Northern, staying until around 1977.

Two further owners later and the coach was acquired by Mr. Andrew Dolan, Crook. Durham. In 1989 Wallace Arnold repurchased the coach and carried out an extensive five year restoration. 8332U was used from 1994 for special events and staff transfers. In 2005 the vehicle was acquired from Wallace Arnold, forming the base of our collection. The coach is still active, recently used in the ITV series Heartbeat.

The coach is still active and used regularly as a very reliable performer.

Subsequent action

Carson, Dunvegan, Scotland – April 1967
MacBrayne, Glasgow – No 173, Feb 1970
Passing to Highland Omnibuses, Inverness – May 1970
Then to Alexander (Northern), Aberdeen No NAC142
September 1970

Features

Webasto secondary interior heater
CD tuner with PA system
12/24 volt outlet for laptop/mobile phone & coolbox operation

Repairs and Servicing

March 05
Collect from Wallace Arnold, Lowfields Road

August 05
Loaned to Thornes of Hemingbrough for wedding and continental tour duties

September 05
To Independent for service and new batteries

March 06
Fit new exhaust silencer and tail pipe
Fit new fan drive coupling
To Wallace Arnold for MOT and Class VI test

September 06
Bleed the clutch

March 07
Repairs to heater and side window pillar trim
To Wallace Arnold for MOT inspection and Class 6 test

June 07
Fit new carpet to boot

July 07
Fit new angle iron to boot lip

April 08
MOT inspection and Class 6 test

May 08
Celebrates 50 years into service

Jan 09
Deep clean seats and floor

Feb 09
Polish aluminium trim

March 09
Pre MOT inspection and service, Class 6 test

July 09
Fit new rocker cover gaskets
Repairs to boot lock

March 10
Pre MOT inspection and service Class 6 test
Obtain new rear light lens from Sewells

March 11
Pre MOT inspection Class 6 test

Aug 11
Re afix headlining to rear dome

March 11
Pre MOT inspection Class 6 test
Deep clean interior/exterior

April 11
Fit correct period saloon clock
Fit hazard flasher switch

Aug 12
Full service

Sept 12
Top up injection pump with oil

Feb 13
Paint safety rails black

April 13
Charge batteries

July 13
Clean windows & alpine lights
Secure interior mirror

Oct 13
Wash off vehicle

May 2015

Carry out inspection

Top up steering box after making new filler plug

Gallery

Gallery – By Stuart J. Brown for the Plaxton Centenary book

 

Gallery – Sister Vehicles

Here we have a small selection of black and white photographs of sister vehicles in various locations.
Photographers unknown.

Gallery – At Unit 3 (06/02/06)

 

Gallery – At Keighley Bus Museum 2013 Open Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gallery of photographs supplied by Andrew and Mark Dolan when 8332U in their ownership and previous life

January 2016

Remove rear roof light and fit rubber seal, refit as required

Attend to rattling near and off side front sliding windows

Seal front roof ventilator

February 2016

Clean bright work

April 2016

Discover broken continental/alpine roof light

Remove opposite number

May 2016

Obtain perspex replacement

Windscreen Services, call and fit new glazing.

Wash off, clean and polish and prepare for season.