Scarborough Rarity - 2
Complementing the previous photograph, in 2006 Plaxton entered into an agreement with MAN to build Panther bodywork on 30 18.360 chassis.
Unlike the previous arrangement with Mercedes, where the majority of those built entered the fleets of three larger coach companies, all of the MANs were purchased by smaller operators.
One of those built in 2007 - WX07 OVJ - was to National Express specification and was used by MAN as a demonstrator to try to attract orders from their contractors, though to no avail. She was however used by Veolia's Birmingham-based National Express unit until 2011.
She then passed to Cardiff-based New Adventure Travel, gaining the registration H7 KFJ in 2013, but was sold on in 2014 having regained her original plate.
This shot from August 2013 shows her on the A470 just north of Storey Arms when returning to Brecon on "Beacons Bus" Service B13 under contract to the Brecon Beacons National Park This was interworked with Service B3 which originated in Bridgend and also covered the Rhondda Valleys.
Other South Wales customers for the MAN Plaxton Panther combination were Thomas of Rhondda and Gilfach Goch-based Mainline, who bought one each.
Scarborough Rarity - 2
Complementing the previous photograph, in 2006 Plaxton entered into an agreement with MAN to build Panther bodywork on 30 18.360 chassis.
Unlike the previous arrangement with Mercedes, where the majority of those built entered the fleets of three larger coach companies, all of the MANs were purchased by smaller operators.
One of those built in 2007 - WX07 OVJ - was to National Express specification and was used by MAN as a demonstrator to try to attract orders from their contractors, though to no avail. She was however used by Veolia's Birmingham-based National Express unit until 2011.
She then passed to Cardiff-based New Adventure Travel, gaining the registration H7 KFJ in 2013, but was sold on in 2014 having regained her original plate.
This shot from August 2013 shows her on the A470 just north of Storey Arms when returning to Brecon on "Beacons Bus" Service B13 under contract to the Brecon Beacons National Park This was interworked with Service B3 which originated in Bridgend and also covered the Rhondda Valleys.
Other South Wales customers for the MAN Plaxton Panther combination were Thomas of Rhondda and Gilfach Goch-based Mainline, who bought one each.