News
This section will be updated periodically with society news & announcements — such as acquisitions & events
31st December 2011 — Happy New Year
Happy New Year and a belated Merry Christmas from everyone here at the Motor Vehicle Preservation Society of Ireland.
We have had a hectic and prosperous year which has seen several new acquisitions and associates introduced to the society which has helped the society to develop and grow immensely in the past year.
We have many new projects and acquisitions to announce in the new year, and hope to be in attendance at some rallies throughout the year and forthcoming rally season.
4th October 2011 — Back from paint
355 SZB has just returned from a fresh repaint with thanks to Cormac from Frank Day Motors. The finish resembles glass and the care and attention to detail the bus received was second to none. Some finishing touches required before she takes to the road for her inaugural run.
22nd September 2011 — Showbus 2011
We now have a brief photo feature online of this years Showbus. We had hoped to attend this year with 355 SZB, but it is presently getting a coat of paint - as we headed across the Irish sea it was still in etch primer! So we attended this year with Rivercourt Coaches Setra S210. The turnout this year wasn't as large as previous years, but the vehicles that were turned out were done so impeccably.
21st August 2011 — Bit of an update
We've been a bit busy as of late, spending every available hour refurbishing 355 SZB, although it wasn't in need of restoration it was looking tired. We have since replaced the seats with touring spec recliners, refloored it internally, serviced & given the engine a good bill of health and began preparations for a complere repaint.
However, the job of completely rebuilding the back also rested upon us. Anyone familiar with Plaxtons of this era will be well aware of the major pit fall — the rot which seaps in due to the wooden frame, unprotected steelwork and numerous water traps. The rear fibreglass panel began to crack and distort with the rot and subsidence of the frame underneath.
We stripped everything out and rebuilt it from scratch - all new ash framework and supporting steelwork has been renewed and protected for many years to come, we have also repaired the damage to the fibreglass at the rear and sourced and prevented the watertraps which caused the problem in the first place.
The video gives a brief overview of the work completed to date, including a quick run of the Leyland 0.680 engine. Eagle eyed viewers will also notice that we retrofitted a scroll and winding gear.
21st June 2011 — We're on YouTube!
Subscribe to us on YouTube — new videos coming shortly
9th June 2011 — Innishannon 2011
Photo feature of Innishannon Steam & Vintage festival now online
18th May 2011 — Saab 900 Acquired
We have recently acquired an immaculate 1986 Saab 900 saloon, with an impecible service history, pristine bodywork and unmarked interior.
It passed it's NCT with flying colours and has been fitted with rare OEM wheel trims and vintage reg plates to set off the look!
1st May 2011 — Busy Long Weekend
Over the long weekend we took advantage of the outstanding weather and dehibernated several vehicles, reorganised the yard and sheds, and took some vehicles out for a run to blow off the cobwebs after storage over the winter.
KR11 was brought up to join KR9 in being restored in Dublin, the plan of action thus far is to restore KR11 into the unique Dublin Bus two-tone livery it wore in 1988, KR11 will make a nice duo with KR9 which is going into the CIÉ livery it wore whilst new.
84-D-7523 was brought out of the shed. Work is still ongoing on this vehicle, it has received some work to the frame, anti-corrosion resistant coating, and is now in the process of being repaneled.
The Morris Oxford went for a brief spin about the yard. It is a long term project, but luckily it is kept out of the weather to prevent it from getting anyworse. We replaced both sills, but it still needs welding to the boot floor and new wings as well as a repaint. The engine has been overhauled, new clutch and brake master cylinders are there to be fitted alongside a new starter.
87-WW-1504 has also been dehibernated. Surprisingly for a Bedford, after being laid up for a few months all it required was to be primed and jumpstarted before bursting into life after two cranks.
27th April 2011 — KR9 Returns Home
KR9 has returned to Dublin after being stored for a few months in Cork, to make room for other vehicles in Dublin.
We have now got the resources in place to completely refurbish it into AS NEW condition. Although the bus had previously been restored, it was a light refurbishment, the proposed restoration will include a complete repanel, engine, gearbox & axle overhaul, reinstatement of original domes, refurbishment of interior and return to original seating configuration, and a repaint in CIÉ expressway livery worn whilst new in 1985.
Once restoration has commenced we will keep you informed.
9th April 2011 — See you at Cultra
UPDATE: FEATURE NOW ONLINE
We hope to be in attandance at this years Irish Transport Trust Bus & Coach show.
As always, the event will be held on the grounds of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, in Cultra, Co. Down on April 16th.
We are unsure as to what vehicles we will be attending with, but the main objective is to deliver a feature of the event on the website.
For more information on the event, see the Irish Transport Trust's website.
Hope to see your there!
13th February 2011 — At Long Last!
Having been in storage since 1999, and with the MVPSI since 2007, 83-C-17 has been moved to Dublin for refurbishment at long last and thanks to all 8 members who gave a hand this weekend getting her ready for the road.
This coach is the first semi automatic Leyland Tiger coach to be built with the Plaxton Paramount body, and is the 3rd Plaxton 3500 Paramount off the production line, it is also the lowest number surviving to this day. It has exceptionally low mileage, an unmarked interior and one of the nicest TL11 engine and semi-auto boxes we have come across.
It will hopefully be refurbished for the summer rally season of 2011. It requires mostly cosmetic bodywork to the stretch panels, but remarkably the framework remains in A1 condition, as is the chassis, floor and boot -- which is highly unusual for a Plaxton, but it verifies the claims that it had been garaged for most of its life.
We plan to reinstate it into the Leyland Tiger Demonstrator blue and white livery, which it wore when it was new as a Demonstrator for Leyland Motors.
Any information regarding her past would be greatly appreciated. Stay tuned for a restoration log.
23rd December 2010 — Christmas Wishes
Everyone at the Motor Vehicle Preservation Society of Ireland wants to wish you a very Happy Christmas & Prosperous New Year.
A big thank you goes to our supporters, volunteers & associates for their continued support throughout 2010.
Remember to stay safe out on the roads this year, as not all vehicles are as sure-footed as a Leopard!