AEC Reliance

Five AEC Reliance coaches were operated by Nu-Venture during the 1980's and early 90's. They were used on a variety of work including commuter runs from Coxheath to London, and on Nu-Venture's own 'NV Holidays' tours to many destinations including Italy and Spain.

The AEC Fleet

CAR 167K	AEC Reliance 6U3ZR7887	Plaxton Panorma Elite II	728859	C49D	1972	ex	Davian Coaches, 1982
1256 RU	AEC Reliance 6U3ZR32866	Plaxton Supreme	7611AC028	C53F	1976	ex	National Travel, London, 1981	KUW 523P
KUW 527P	AEC Reliance 6U3ZR32021	Plaxton Supreme	7611AC023	C53F	1976	ex	Roselyn Coaches, 1981
KUW 528P	AEC Reliance 6U3ZR32629	Plaxton Supreme	7611AC026	C53F	1976	ex	National Travel London, 1981
UKE 335R	AEC Reliance 6U3ZR35268	Plaxton Supreme	7712ACM028	C57F	1977	ex	Lewis, Bristol, 1981	TMJ 638R, 3558 RU

(CAR 167K) seen at the Aylesford Depot on 4th June 1986

All of Nu-Venture's AEC's were bodied by Plaxtons. The oldest was (CAR 167K) new in 1972 it remained unique in the fleet as the only dual door coach to be operated by the company. It joined the fleet from Davian Coaches in 1982. It is pictured above wearing NV Holidays livery. However it lost this later the same year in favour of Nu-Venture blue and red coach livery.

The first AEC Reliances in the fleet were a trio of Plaxton Supremes new to National Travel London, although only two joined the fleet from there with the third coming via Roselyn Coaches in 1981. Two left the fleet after only three years service with Nu-Venture with the oldest of the trio staying for ten years finaly being withdrawn in 1991. During the mid-late eighties they were employed on NV Holidays tours for which they carried appropriate branding.

Representing the ex National Travel examples is (1256 RU) formerly (KUW 523P)
complete with rebuilt with a Supreme IV front and back end. It is seen in Gravesend
on 15th December 1990.

At about the same time the National Travel ones were acquired a fourth coach joined the fleet from Lewis, Ashton. This one being a metre longer with four additional seats, and lacking the destination display area above the front windscreen. It was a regular performer on the Coxheath to London commuter run in the early eighties until their withdrawal.

(TMJ 638R later 3558 RU, then UKE 335R) sporting 'NV Holidays' branding
at the SECOA coaching weekend at Folkestone Civic Centre in April 1983.
(Photo: Derek Jones)

Like (1256 RU) it was also rebuilt with a Supreme IV front end.

Withdrawal of the type began in 1984 when (KUW 527/8P) left the fleet. Three remained in the fleet all receiving Nu-Venture blue and red stripe coach livery, until 1990 when the dual door example (CAR 167K) was withdrawn. The following Spring of 1991 saw the type leave the fleet completely upon the arrival of two Leyland Tiger coaches.