West Riding 970 - DEWSBURY BUS MUSEUM

DEWSBURY BUS MUSEUM

WEST RIDING 970 (WHL 970)

Previous owner Basil Hancock has sent this photograph of 970 heading north on the M1 (near junction 16) on 27th June 1982.

It appears to be in almost as good condition as the tow truck!

Pictures of 970 when it was in service can be seen if you CLICK THIS LINK:

Guy Wulfrunian

Chassis: FDW75191

Body: Roe GO5694

Date new: September 1963

Withdrawn: August 1969

COPYRIGHT: Basil Hancock

Photos of 970

When new in September 1963, this bus was in the part of the West Riding fleet that was painted red. As West Riding had a major input in the design, they were committed to buying the product. A total of 137 Wulfrunians were built, of which 132 ended up with West Riding. 126 were new to the company, and six were second-hand. Two were ex-demonstrators for spares only, two were from County Motors of Lepton, one from Lancashire United Tours and one from West Wales.

Since withdrawal in August 1969, 970 has led a nomadic life, with a succession of owners including

J Moffat of Fife, McLennan of Spitalfield, Rennie of Dunfermline, all in Scotland, and ending up - via Paul Sykes bus sales yard - at the other end of the country with Crouch End Luxury Coaches of London N8. Being withdrawn there in 1978, 970 was eventually purchased for preservation by Basil Hancock who, due to emigrating to the Southern Hemisphere, sold it on to a consortium of people for future preservation. Long-term, this vehicle requires ownership stability, enthusiasm and, as with other exhibits, funding of major proportions.

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