THE EXPERIMENTAL VOLVO AILSAS 1446 - 1448 AND PRESERVATION OF VOLVO AILSA 1448 (WRJ 448X)

With the eventual demise of the Fleetline and Atlantean chassis due Greater Manchester Transport were conscious that they would need to look at developing their Standard body to fit newly developed rear engined or mid engined chassis and embarked upon a fleet number series in which to put these which very much mirrored the original EX experimental series used by their predecessors SELNEC.

The fleet number series chosen was the 14xx series. This series started off when the Bristol VRT's ordered by North Western delivered to SELNEC Cheshire had been renumbered, They were delivered as 400 to 424 but were renumbered shortly after to 1400 to 1424.

Therefore, in 1974, Greater Manchester Transport took a proving quantity of ten of the new experimental Metropolitain Double Deckers and numbered these in the series 1425 to 1434.

They were followed over the years by the following purchases:-

There are no Metropolitans in the batch 1425 to 1434 still existence and the two Foden NCs, 1435 and 1436, have both been scrapped.  We understand there is still a prototype Dennis Dominator 1439 in existence.

In 2004, we had already secured previously Leyland Olympian 1451, Dennis Falcon 1471 and we were in touch with First Group regarding Volvo Citybus 1481.  Of the vehicles that exist that just leaves the batch 1446 to 1448, the Volvo Ailsas of which only the last one 1448 still exists.  The first of these 1446 in a well presented design with large front grill appeared at the 1980 Commercial Vehicle Motor Show although it did not have a stand but was in the car park at the back whilst 1451 was on the Northern Counties stand and 5031 (MRJ 31W) was on the Metrobus stand.  After a year or so worth of trials with 1446 GMT ordered two further prototype Ailsa�s 1447 and 1448 which came in the more conventional less attractive front end fiberglass design and it is understood over recent years 1446 and 1447 have been scrapped, leaving 1448 as the only remaining example. 

Previous enquiries had indicated that the price required for the vehicle was unrealistic for a bus of this age for a preservation group but through recent negotiations and discussions a purchase was agreed with Greengate Tours and a group of members went to their premises in Melling, Liverpool, on Sunday 28^th November 2004 to return the vehicle to Greater Manchester parking it up for the time being at our premises in East Manchester. 

The history of the vehicle is as follows:-

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