The last surviving Irizar Urko on a Volvo B58 chassis urgently needs a preservationist to save it. LAJ 999W is one of only 14 examples imported into the UK by John de Cotta, and was new in 1981, along with sister LAJ 998W, to Dales (Sunseeker Holidays) of Middlesbrough, Teesside.
LAJ 999W later spent time with Shalder of Scalloway, Shetland in 1987 when it was re-registered FSU 330, and used on Norwegian tours. Returning to the mainland in October 87 it then passed through three other operators, Cumbria Coaches, Carlisle; Abbot Travel, Loanhead; and Voy of Newton Aycliffe.
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In 1997 the coach entered the fleet of Frank Elliot’s Memory Lane Coaches of Warrington where it was refurbished and fitted with a B10M engine and modified rear end, and re-registered as MLC 9P. Sold into preservation with Tony Gallagher of Cambridge in 2002, it reverted back to its original registration LAJ 999W and was placed on loan to Andrews Coaches of Foxton, Cambs where it was operated on local services, school contracts & private hires.
The Urko then moved to Tom Stanhope t/a Byeways Coaches of Huntingdon, Cambs and was re-registered with a personal plate, 805 BYE. In April 2006 the coach once again became LAJ 999W when it was sold to Andrew Miller at Andrews Coaches before being withdrawn in 2008 and used as a store shed.
Said Andrew: “Both ourselves and the present owners would really like to see this vehicle preserved after all these years. Offers based on the scrap price will be considered but it’s most important that the coach is saved.” The vehicle needs some restoration and a new oil cooler. Interested parties should contact Mark Harrod on 07515 900231. The coach is currently located at Downham Market in Norfolk.
