Delivered in July 1976 to Western S.M.T. MSJ 385P was new as DS2579 with 49 Alexander dual-purpose seats and an Alexander “T” type body, operating from Dumfries garage in Western’s black and white coach livery. Until 1984 MSJ 385P had an uneventful life with Western, the most notable change was being renumbered DS579 in late 1983.

In 1984 MSJ 385P was converted along with sister vehicles MSJ 370P (retained by Western Scottish), MSJ 371P (transferred to Midland Scottish) & MSJ 389P (transferred to Eastern Scottish) to a disabled access coach with only 24 dual-purpose seats and accommodation for six wheelchairs. At this time air operated dual doors were added in the middle of the nearside to accommodate an electrically powered wheelchair lift. MSJ 385P was transferred to Central Scottish after completion and was repainted into Central’s livery it was now renumbered SP1. Initialy MSJ 385P was operated from Motherwell (Airbles Road) garage, late 1985 saw an allocation change, SP1 was then operated from Wishaw garage, and this was where it was to remain until 1987 when it was withdrawn from the Central fleet.

MSJ 385P was the first of the modified coaches to leave the Scottish Bus Group and went on to operate with Davian Coaches (1987 - 1989), Primrose Coaches (1989 - 1993) and Andrews Coaches (1993 - 2006).

SP1 was secured for preservation in October 2006 and is under restoration to Central Scottish condition as SP1.

Despite the twenty years SP1 spent away from Scotland it remained in very good condition, mainly due to light work due to its conversion. The worst damage was limited to the fibreglass front panel, aluminium body panels and a rear spring.

The orignal Alexander’s seats for 24 were replaced with a set from a Plaxton coach, I have managed to source a set of seats the same as the set it would have had, the only difference being these do not have the armrests which were a distinctive feature of these early Seddon/Alexander “AT” coaches. A fellow preservationist owns a set of these seats and I sincerely hope I will be able to obtain them as I wish SP1’s restoration to be as accurate as possible. The single arm air wipers were also replaced with the more common pantograph type whilst in Andrews Coaches ownership, these will be replaced with single arm ones and replacement air motors (that work properly!) as soon as they can be sourced!

It is interesting to note that MSJ 385P is the sole survivor of the four converted coaches and is the oldest Seddon with a “T” type body preserved. It is also interesting to note that it is one of only 4 Seddon “T” types preserved and the only “T” type preserved with the early style front panel.

• 07/76 - New to Western SMT (fleet number DS2579) allocated to Dumfries
• 09/83 Renumbered DS579 still allocated to Dumfries
• ??/84 Delicenced
• 10/84 Rebuilt to C24F including centre doors and a wheelchair lift
• 12/84 Transferred to Central Scottish and renumbered SP1. Allocated to Motherwell (Airbles)
• 10/85 Allocated to Wishaw
• 09/87 Delicenced
• 09/87 To Johnstone (dealer) Harthill (England)
• 12/87 To Heaps, Enfield (T/A Davian Coaches)
• 04/89 To Ensign Bus (dealer) Purfleet
• 06/89 To Runnals, Hayle (T/A Primrose Coaches)
• 08/93 To Miller, Foxton (T/A Andrews Coaches)
• 11/04 Delicenced
• 09/06 Advertised for sale
• 11/06 Arrived at The Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
• 11/06 Restoration work started