Reeve Burgess' Budget mini
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• PSV bodybuilder Reeve Burgess is now offering production versions of its latest 16-seater 'Budget' coach conversion, based on the 4.6tonne GVW Mercedes-Benz 507D van, three months after the first prototype model was shown at the Bus and Coach Council Show at Birmingham.
The 507D mini-coach is powered by the 53kW (71hp) 2.4litre 0M616 diesel engine, and comes with a five-speed gearbox. Standard features include side skirts, a low-entry step well, tinted single-glazed windows and full soft interior trim with high-back coach seats.
Basic versions will come with the 507D's twin glazed rear doors, but Reeve Burgess can convert the rear of the coach to include a full luggage boot. Other options include an Eberspacher heater, and a power-operated front entrance door.
Chesterfield-based Reeve Burgess already offers midi-bus and coach models on the larger T2 vans and chassis cabs up to the 7.5-tonne GVW 811D. The 507D coach, however, will only be available as a conversion on the 3.7m-wheelbase low-roof van. The first operator to take delivery of a 507D Reebur coach is Chambers Coaches of Stevenage, which has bought the original prototype conversion, shown at the NEC. Chambers has specified its coach with an extra 70-litre fuel tank to give maximum operating ranges.
Reeve Burgess says that the 507D coach conversion will be available ex-stock for immediate delivery, either through Mercedes dealers, or through its own PSV dealer network. Custom-built models, however, will take longer to complete. Prices for the 507D coach conversion start at around £8,000.
Plaxtons-owned Reeve Burgess will soon launch a number of new PSV models including a revised 25-seater Beaver body on the recently updated Renault Dodge 50 Series chassis.
It is also developing a coach body for the Cummins-powered Leyland Swift chassis, and a 33-seater Beaver body on an extended Mercedes 811D chasasis. The extra-long T2 Beaver body will be sold in direct competition with the Optare Star Rider.