Today, I have a very special vehicle profile for you – this little Austral is the subject….
Originally owned by Deluxe Coachlines of Wangaratta, Victoria, wearing fleet number 203, it then went through to Hopkinson’s of Sydney as TV533, then Australia Coach in Cairns, Queensland as 578IDY then to Coach Australia (Red and White Coaches) as 578IDY then COA30 before coming to Dubbo, NSW and joining the Langley’s Coaches fleet as TV8354.
Phil Langley was one of Deluxe’s employees and had an idea to repaint the Minimaster into their colours as they purchased all five Minimaster units that were built – Austral made coaches to what their customers required. This particular example was the third to come off the production line.
This particular coach is very, very smooth in it’s ride – being that it is 10.6m long helps in that smoothness. My mother and I were very fortunate to be taken out by Phil for a pretty long ride – the big 6V92 combined with the 6 speed Spicer crash box made for a smooth ride as well….
Thanks must go to Phil as I would not have had this opportunity if he wasn’t there….
