MB90 - Vehicle History
MB 90(Registration SMM 90F)(MCW Body No. C90)(Type 1MB1)(Chassis3P2R)
The name ‘Merlin’ was given by London Transport to their fleet of 665 36 ft long single deck vehicles built on the AEC Swift 691 chassis. Although strictly incorrect, the name Merlin has remained in common use, and distinguishes this class of vehicle from the shorter SM class
Swifts. Merlins were the first standard design of omo single deck vehicle to be purchased by London Transport to take advantage of the then newly introduced government bus grants.
MB 90 was one of the first batch of 33 Country Area buses (MB 81 – 113) delivered at the start of
1968. She has an 11.3 litre engine rated at 165bhp. Registration numbers in the SMM - - F sequence had been reserved, but only 13 vehicles, including MB 90, actually entered service with the SMM registration. Most were sent to Reigate, replacing RFs on route 447, but MB 90 went to Garston for route survey work.
MB 90’s service life with London Transport / London Country lasted barely 10 years. She then passed through various other operators until rescued by the well-respected preservationist Chris
Sullivan. Chris returned the vehicle to its original B45D configuration and re-instated the centre doorway using parts from the scrap MBA 580.
Today there are only a handful of Merlins left in the UK, and MB 90 is unique in being the only Country Area survivor, and also the only example of the original low driving seat position.
·01/68 Delivered new to Aldenham (ALDu).
·03/68 Moved to Garston (GR) for route survey work.
·06/68 Into store at Garston.
·07/68 Transferred to Central Area (Walthamstow WW) for use as trainer.
·10/68 Transferred to Amersham (MA) as trainer.
·11/68 Into service at Amersham on routes 305/A, 353, and 362/A.
·12/69 Returned to Metro-Cammell Weymann, Birmingham, for roof alterations.
·12/69 Back into service at High Wycombe (HE).
·01/70 Ownership passes to London Country Bus Services .
·02/75 Transfer into store at Garston.
·02/75 Overhaul, recertified and repainted by Marshall, Cambridge.
·07/75 Into store at High Wycombe.
·09/75 Transfer to Hemel Hempstead (HH).
·01/77 Transfer to Leatherhead (LH) for route 406.
·09/77 Into store at Chelsham (CM).
·07/78 Into store at Reigate (RG).
·07/78 Transfer back to Leatherhead.
·11/78 Withdrawn and de-licensed from Leatherhead
·11/78 Into store at Romford (RE).
·01/79 Acquired by J.Sofios, London SW16.
·01/80 Acquired by Osborne, Langley.
·02/81 Acquired by Hellard, London SW15.
· ?/83 Acquired by Location Facilities, Feltham, Middx.
·04/90 Acquired for preservation by Chris Sullivan, Borehamwood. Stored at Borehamwood Travel
Services and restoration started.
·08/05 On loan to Ensign Bus, intended for their Heritage Fleet.
·09/08 Acquired for continued preservation by Peter Comfort, Hampshire.
Work undertaken to date:
Replacement and re-commissioning of front and rear doors, inc refurbished door motors.
Replacement of side glass using new rubber.
Refurbish and reinstate all power steering components.
Contamination of the fuel system cured by fitting new stainless steel fuel tank.
New air tank.
Injector pump overhauled.
Extensive, considerable and ongoing attention to cure engine and transmission oil leaks, including removal and refitting comprressor, and replacement of the flywheel gland.
Replacement bushes, gaskets, studs, brackets, pipework etc - too extensive to list separately.
Conversion to electric fans following destruction of the original mechanical drive.
New aluminium radiator.
Attention to brake flag, speedometer, indicator and lighting defects.
Rebuild front bench seats.
Renovate and refit luggage rack.
Refit grey plastic trim to the entire saloon area.
Replace Treadmaster floor covering.
Replace internal panelling to the front and cab areas.
Full complement of seat frames installed.
Gearbox rebuild.
Complete engine rebuild, including crankshaft, pistons, bearings, valves, and a new larger capacity radiator.
New rexine applied throughout.
The name ‘Merlin’ was given by London Transport to their fleet of 665 36 ft long single deck vehicles built on the AEC Swift 691 chassis. Although strictly incorrect, the name Merlin has remained in common use, and distinguishes this class of vehicle from the shorter SM class
Swifts. Merlins were the first standard design of omo single deck vehicle to be purchased by London Transport to take advantage of the then newly introduced government bus grants.
MB 90 was one of the first batch of 33 Country Area buses (MB 81 – 113) delivered at the start of
1968. She has an 11.3 litre engine rated at 165bhp. Registration numbers in the SMM - - F sequence had been reserved, but only 13 vehicles, including MB 90, actually entered service with the SMM registration. Most were sent to Reigate, replacing RFs on route 447, but MB 90 went to Garston for route survey work.
MB 90’s service life with London Transport / London Country lasted barely 10 years. She then passed through various other operators until rescued by the well-respected preservationist Chris
Sullivan. Chris returned the vehicle to its original B45D configuration and re-instated the centre doorway using parts from the scrap MBA 580.
Today there are only a handful of Merlins left in the UK, and MB 90 is unique in being the only Country Area survivor, and also the only example of the original low driving seat position.
·01/68 Delivered new to Aldenham (ALDu).
·03/68 Moved to Garston (GR) for route survey work.
·06/68 Into store at Garston.
·07/68 Transferred to Central Area (Walthamstow WW) for use as trainer.
·10/68 Transferred to Amersham (MA) as trainer.
·11/68 Into service at Amersham on routes 305/A, 353, and 362/A.
·12/69 Returned to Metro-Cammell Weymann, Birmingham, for roof alterations.
·12/69 Back into service at High Wycombe (HE).
·01/70 Ownership passes to London Country Bus Services .
·02/75 Transfer into store at Garston.
·02/75 Overhaul, recertified and repainted by Marshall, Cambridge.
·07/75 Into store at High Wycombe.
·09/75 Transfer to Hemel Hempstead (HH).
·01/77 Transfer to Leatherhead (LH) for route 406.
·09/77 Into store at Chelsham (CM).
·07/78 Into store at Reigate (RG).
·07/78 Transfer back to Leatherhead.
·11/78 Withdrawn and de-licensed from Leatherhead
·11/78 Into store at Romford (RE).
·01/79 Acquired by J.Sofios, London SW16.
·01/80 Acquired by Osborne, Langley.
·02/81 Acquired by Hellard, London SW15.
· ?/83 Acquired by Location Facilities, Feltham, Middx.
·04/90 Acquired for preservation by Chris Sullivan, Borehamwood. Stored at Borehamwood Travel
Services and restoration started.
·08/05 On loan to Ensign Bus, intended for their Heritage Fleet.
·09/08 Acquired for continued preservation by Peter Comfort, Hampshire.
Work undertaken to date:
Replacement and re-commissioning of front and rear doors, inc refurbished door motors.
Replacement of side glass using new rubber.
Refurbish and reinstate all power steering components.
Contamination of the fuel system cured by fitting new stainless steel fuel tank.
New air tank.
Injector pump overhauled.
Extensive, considerable and ongoing attention to cure engine and transmission oil leaks, including removal and refitting comprressor, and replacement of the flywheel gland.
Replacement bushes, gaskets, studs, brackets, pipework etc - too extensive to list separately.
Conversion to electric fans following destruction of the original mechanical drive.
New aluminium radiator.
Attention to brake flag, speedometer, indicator and lighting defects.
Rebuild front bench seats.
Renovate and refit luggage rack.
Refit grey plastic trim to the entire saloon area.
Replace Treadmaster floor covering.
Replace internal panelling to the front and cab areas.
Full complement of seat frames installed.
Gearbox rebuild.
Complete engine rebuild, including crankshaft, pistons, bearings, valves, and a new larger capacity radiator.
New rexine applied throughout.