The SYPTE Ailsa

The SYPTE Ailsa - How it came to be.

At the time when the orders for these vehicles were placed, the SYPTE's prefered standard vehicle at the time was the Alexander Bodied Daimler Fleetline.

Daimler could not deliver the required amount of chassis in the time allowed, so Volvo was chosen, as they could meet the delivery deadline.

The stardard body for the Ailsa was built by Alexander, but they to could not meet the delivery deadline, so Vanhool McArdle of Dublin was chosen.

Vanhool in Belguim built the prototype(369), and the rest of the order for 62 vehicles was completed by Vanhool McArdle of Dublin, and delivered in 1976 to1977.

This produced a vehicle and chassis combination that was never repeated, and a vehicle with styling that was nothing like anything else available at the time. It wasn't until the Optare Spectra was produced some 15 years later that this style was used again on a double deck design.

There was 62 vehicles built for the SYPTE, and 2 for A1 Service, Ardrossan. 1 SYPTE Atlantean(431) also recieved a body to the same style as the Ailsas, but without the big black grille.

Out of the total build, only 4 vehicles survive. The type suffered badly from body corrosion, and all had left South Yorkshire by the end of 1986. Those majority that were sold on for further service, soldered on until 1992, with only 2 examples running in service as late as 1997. By that time, an original unrefurbished example would have been in a terrible condition(383).

This makes the preservation and restoration of these vehicles more costly and time consuming. Have a look at the photos on the accompanying pages.

The 388 Group.