We are pleased to report that we have acquired a 1967 A.B. Denning & Co bodied International ACCO coach for preservation. This vehicle has huge significance being of all-Queensland construction (chassis built at Rocklea, body built at Salisbury), a very early Denning build (Build No. 163), and the only complete ex-Skennars vehicle in preservation. It is fitted with a reconditioned Detroit Diesel 6v71 two-stroke motor, six speed Fuller transmission, power steering, and 45 passenger seats.
Registered PIJ-744, the vehicle primarily operated on the Tenterfield, Warwick, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast runs for Skennars Coaches for over two decades. Clarrie Skennar is a huge part of Queensland’s transport heritage having pioneered and operated several long distance coach services for over 40 years. In 1989, the vehicle was sold to Hoy’s Coaches of Mount Hotham in Victoria, where it was used on ski resort shuttles.
The vehicle then passed into the hands of Grant Templar of Bairnsdale in 2001, where it was used to transport members of ‘Revolution Youth’ (the youth ministry of Riviera Christian Centre) until the end of 2018. Remarkably, the vehicle was still registered as a passenger bus until early this year, and is in incredible condition for its age.
The vehicle was acquired by QOCS on January 7, and successfully relocated to Brisbane by Hamish Withington and Ashley Vidler between January 9 and 11. The guys did a fantastic job driving the vehicle 1700km with no issues.
We also owe special thanks to:
- Queensland Bus Industry Council for contributing towards the purchase cost.
- Dick White and Bus Stop Sales for assisting with a mechanical inspection and temporary storage upon relocation to Melbourne from Bairnsdale.
- Brisbane Bus Lines, Red and White Coaches, and South Bundy Buses for covering fuel expenses from Melbourne.
- Red and White Coaches for storage and minor mechanical repairs pre-registration in Brisbane.
