SF31 at the
Scottish Vintage Bus Museum
When identifying a bus for preservation, one of the main issues involves where to house the purchase. Fortunately, a space was available at the SVBM, Lathalmond, nr. Dunfermline, Scotland - not too far from the body manufacturer's factory.
For SF31 a further issue was how to obtain the necessary paperwork to MOT and tax the bus. As far as the former was concerned, the DVLA website provided some of the answers, and Roland Williams, resident mechanic at the SVBM, provided the necessary expertise to prepare SF31 for MOT. The initial inspection on 11th July revealed very little to be addessed - a testament to the mechanical condition of the bus - even after 20 arduous years serving The Peak on Route 15. SF31 was presented for MOT at Kirkcaldy on 2nd August and passed first time.
Obtaining the UK registration proved more difficult as the original registration document was in Hong Kong and was necessary to obtain a UK registration. NWFB kindly sent an authorised copy which satisfied the staff at the Edinburgh VRO, and SF31 received registration number VFS 542V on 9th August 2000 - just in time to attend the First Aberdeen Millennium Cavalcade on 12th August.
By this time, SF31's front panels had received a repaint to hide the worst of the chipped paintwork which is evident from the photos of it on arrival.
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Left : SF31 is seen at the SVBM in July 2000 prior to MOT test and UK registration. By this time, the lower front panels have been repainted. A small piece of paint was peeled off for matching - an exact match (Pageant Blue) was obtained but it is the wrong shade for the remainder of the bus. Obviously NWFB had repainted damaged panels and had used a different  shade.
Right : New World First Bus had donated the Leyland Victory LV36 to the SVBM the previous year. Prior to registration, SF31 meets up with its former stablemate.