Year: October 1990
Operator: New as H212 KEH to Robin Hood Coaches of Leek
Chassis: Duple 425 Integral Coach
Engine: Cummins 290 – 10 litre diesel
Gearbox: Manual 7-Speed
Body: Duple C54F
In service
RIB 8289, was first registered on the 4th October 1990, to Robin Hood Coaches of Leek in Staffordshire.
She was the 129th of 132 Duple 425 Integral coaches built by Duple at Blackpool, and is notable as one of the last designs produced by the company before it ceased operations in 1989.
Duple had been acquired by the Hestair group in 1983, having been an independent coach builder since 1919.
In order to compete with the surge of exotic foreign built coaches like Van-Hool, coming into the UK, at the time, Duple decided to create an integral coach, and because Dennis was part of the same group it was sensible to use their mechanicals.
An integral coach is unique in that it needs no chassis, replacing it with a lighter space frame design that frees up space beneath the vehicle, enabling a huge luggage compartment to be incorporated between the axles.
RIB 8289’s early life was spent providing luxury travel from the UK to many European destinations, having been specified with a galley, reclining seats, video player , and washroom, from new.
Later, the galley, video player and washroom were removed and she continued to give sterling service in her second life as a UK based vehicle, until, at 21 years old, she was purchased for preservation by Ryan Feltham.
In preservation –
With Ryan, (and his family), she became a regular participant in many rallies and events around the country, but now resides within the MROC (Only her third owner.)
MROC intend to continue the sterling work laid down by Ryan, and she will continue to be seen at a number of rallies this year.
At her first repaint she took on the livery she still wears, and that looked so good that Ryan simply added a “Demonstrator Look” by replacing the Robin Hood Decals with “Duple 425”, at her second repaint in 2013.
This having become necessary after another coach “redesigned” the side of RIB 8289, whilst she was parked !!
MROC intend to keep that livery, and she will continue to attend events and rallies, providing free rides whenever possible.
RIB 8289 remains in remarkable condition due to the fact that Duple used Chrome Weld steel for the space frame structure, and GRP for all panels below window level.
Chrome Weld steel, was a special high chrome content steel that provided Stainless Steel like anti corrosion properties, whilst retaining the ease of welding associated with normal steel, and necessary for mass manufacture.
This fact can be best proven by the reality that, whilst the body remains in remarkable condition, the same cannot be said for the H frame that supported the rear air bag suspension. This corroded from the inside out and needed replacing back in 2023.
Being a 33 year old design at the time, a long since unavailable, the frame had to be fabricated from scratch, a task undertaken with some skill by MJ Commercial Services of Barry, but funded by Ryan and his family.
Make no mistake, without them; RIB 8289 would not survive today.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our latest acquisition, we look forward to welcoming you aboard.
