665.jpg Jan 1983. 665 and 662 Douglas Railway Station. R.Dodge
97.7.jpg June 1998. IOMRS 97 and Ribble 665 Nobles Park.
busfarm.jpg June 1998. 671 left and 665 right in the Sunshine at Glenduff.
farm2.jpg August 1998. 671 ready for the trip to Douglas.
nt7.jpg 1982. 665 In Ramsey Depot. R.Dodge
0302.jpg March 2002. Rear Crossmembers installed and new steel work fitted.
0302c.jpg March 2002. Close up of rear crossmember.
1002c.jpg October 2002 N/S roof spars replaced.
250603.jpg June 2003. Work progresses on the O/S.
665fTours.jpg December 1999. Lower External panels removed.
665rTours.jpg Late 1998. The extent of the Rear Corrosion.
665t.jpg December 2002. 665 in Daylight, The Turning point.
7.97.jpg June 1998. IOMRS 97 and Ribble 665 Nobles Park.
0304.jpg March 2004. The rebuild continues.
03042.jpg March 2004. Emergency exit door removed for renovation.
507042.jpg July 2004. Roof panels are Removed stripped and re-fitted.
P7050430.jpg July 2004. The roof and front panels remain to be stripped of paint.
int0304.jpg March 2004. The interior is slowly re-installed.
1003.jpg Oct 2003 665 with new cab floor!
0903.jpg Sept 2003. 665 in amongst the Body panels.
09032.jpg Sept 2003 New Cab Floor, Steelwork Ducting....
10032.jpg October 2003. Only 12 weeks until Christams!
10033.jpg October 2003 The Vehicle examiner passes 665 for re-cladding
1103.jpg November 2003 and only weeks to go before an enforced move to new accommodation.
11032.jpg November 2003 A great transformation in only 4 weeks.
1203.jpg December 2003. Hastily fastened together. 665 almost ready for the journey North.
inter.jpg October 2002 N/S Inner Coving re-fitted.
xm2.jpg March 2002 The remains of an old cross member.
leopard.jpg Artwork from 1966 Leyland Leopard brochure.
Happy_Xmas_665.jpg December 2004. Happy Christmas 665.!
PB280665.JPG December 2004. Festive few minutes in the Sunshine.
1103052.jpg 665 March 2005 Roof Refitted
1103053.jpg 665 March 2005 Two sections of Guttering re-fitted
P5280774.jpg June 2005 Guttering complete
665SEPT2002.jpg September 2002. Roof spar replacemnet in progress.
665SEPT2002INT.jpg September 2002. Cramped conditions with limited storage facilities.
665SPT2002ROOF.jpg September 2002. View of the roof spars taken from the roof!
66516July.jpg July 16th 2005 Roof light surrounds fitted and final few flaws in bodywork filled.
interior.jpg August 2005. Flooring fitted, Battery boxes and ducting re-instated.
RedLeopard.jpg First top coat progressing well 23rd September 2005
RibblE.jpg Final roof preperation 23rd September 2005
PA030866.jpg 3rd October 2005. 1st Top coat complete.
2005_1005Fuji0016.jpg 5th October 2005. Preperation for the second coat.
Windows.jpg Re-fitting the glass commences. 8th October 2005
RearScreen.jpg 19th October 2005. Rear screens re-fitted.
FS2.jpg 22nd October 2005. Front Windscreens and light units fitted.
51105.jpg 5th November 2005. Another three windows installed. Just three more to go!!!
PB160927.jpg 16th November 2005. Saloon glazing installed.
031205.jpg December 2005. Christmas fast approaching..!! Soon be 2006.
66597210106.jpg January 21st 2006. 665 & 97. 97 had been cleaned in readiness for a Sunday drive on the 22nd
Axlestands.jpg 11th Feb 2006. Time to do some spring cleaning and anything else for that matter.
0304snow.jpg 4th March 2006. Testing the speedo in the snow.
070806.jpg 8th July 2006. Light surrounds removed for painting to continue. Doors, Hub-caps re-fitted.
RibblE.jpg RibblE emblem as fitted to numerous single deck Ribble vehicles.
210706.jpg July 21st 2006. An almost complete little Leopard.
665080806J1.jpg 8th August 2006. 665 at Jurby for final coat of paint.
665080806J2.jpg 8th August 2006. 665 at Jurby. Some wipers wouldn't go a miss in this weather.
665080806J3.jpg 8th August 2006. 665 joins a brace of Atlanteans for a few days.
2308061.jpg 23rd August 2006. A day at the races.. 665 awaiting the finish of the MGP practice.
2308062.jpg 23rd August 2006. A day at the races.. 665 awaiting the finish of the MGP practice.
290806.jpg 28th August 2006. Ribble badge secured. Not sure about the round mirrors.
665SJ160906.jpg September 16th 2006. 665 at St Judes.
665JR160906.jpg September 16th 2006. 665 on a test drive, having replaced auxiliary drive couplings and alternator shaft.
DSCF0199m.jpg 23rd December 2006. Fleet numbers added. R.Davis
DSCF0203m.jpg 23rd December 2006. Close up of the Rear Fleet number. R.Davis.
DSCF0205m.jpg 23rd December 2006. Well if you can't get them... Make it yourself.. RibblE lettering added on the rear roof dome. R.Davis.
DSCF0210m.jpg 23rd December 2006. Close up of RibblE lettering on the rear roof dome. R.Davis.
2007_0224image0014.jpg 24th February 2007. Is this what they mean by "Under wraps"?
2007_0224image0016.jpg 24th February 2007. First Aid Lettering installed. Supplied by me..
2007_0224image0019.jpg 24th February 2007. A new addition to the lettering range. What shall I do next? Used tickets maybe? Or pay as you enter signs for the exterior...?
2007_0120image0007.jpg January 2007. Interior Fleet No and Emergency Door lettering applied.
2007_0120image0011.jpg January 2007. Emergency Door lettering added.
2007_0303image0002.jpg 3rd March 2007. Compound polishing the body panels. Can you see the difference...?
chassis.jpg 4th May 2007 Grit blasting in progress.
2007_0519image0017.jpg 19th May 2007. Grit blasting takes time. Need a week off work to finish this section!.
2007_0706image0001.JPG 6th July 2007. 665 Arrives in Ramsey after a brief drive from Ballaugh.
2007_0706image0002.JPG 6th July 2007. Just watch your mirror...!
2007_0706image0003.JPG 6th July 2007. "How did you miss the turn off..?" "I wasn't sure where I was going Chris.."
2007_0706image0004.JPG 6th July 2007. Parked on the slipway in Ramsey.
2007_0706image0005.JPG 6th July 2007. Paddy worked on Leopards in the early 80's for CIE, Coras Iompair Eirann. He just came along for a chat when we passed by.
Copy_of_2007_0706image0006.JPG 6th July 2007. Just what route number was Barrow shipyard then...?
2007_0708image0002.JPG 8th July 2007. Return journey from the shipyard. Thanks for the use of the shed Chris.
2007_0708image0003.JPG 8th July 2007. 665 outside Ramsey Grammar school, East Building.
2007_0708image0004.JPG 8th July 2007. Emergency Door lettering fitted. I need to wear my RVPT t shirt when I take pictures like this. I'll blend in.
2007_0708image0005.JPG 8th July 2007. Fuel oil lettering fitted. Maybe fit the legal lettering next.
2007_0722image0032.JPG 22nd July 2007. Nine years on and 665 is starting to look like a RibblE bus once more.
665july2007.jpg July 18th 2007. Mud Flaps, Lettering, Could just do with some seats...
OSBrakeDrum.jpg 18th August 2007. One drum fitted, just needs a quick coat of paint. Have to do the other one next time...
OSHub.jpg 18th August 2007. New Brake drums to be fitted. Parts supplied by Autofast, Thanks Matt. Collected By Barry, Thanks Barry. Just got to put it all back together now...!
NSBrakeDrum.jpg 1st September 2007. New N/S Brake drum fitted and adjusted. Noticed some play in the N/S king pin. Have to phone Autofast on Monday...
090807.jpg 8th September 2007. The new brake drums seem to work well.
0112071.jpg 1st December 2007. O/S rear brake drum and shoes removed for attention.
0112072.jpg 1st December 2007. O/S rear brake drum re-installed after cleaning and lubrication of brake camshaft and brake shoe mountings. That should improve the braking efficiency.
0112073.jpg 1st December 2007. O/S rear wheels re fitted. The handbrake is much easier to operate. Just the N/S rear drum to tackle next time.
DSCF0001.jpg 30th December 2007. Hmmm Mobile turkish bath house...
DSCF0002.jpg 30th December 2007. Its difficult to see what your cleaning with all this steam.
DSCF0004.jpg 30th December 2007. Steam Cleaning in process.
DSCF0006.jpg 30th December 2007. Dont forget to clean the back of the fuel tank.
2007_1230image0008.jpg 30th December 2007. £80.00 of diesel. It should last a while though.
DSCF0007.jpg 30th December 2007. Now thats what I call a people carrier...
2008_0112image0007.jpg January 12th 2008. Steering drag link refurbished, ready to be re-fitted.
DSCF1294.jpg 26th January 2008. No its not another of our projects. We just used the AEC Merryweather fire engine to hold the steering track rod whilst the paint dried.
steerinbox020208.jpg 2nd February 2008. Whilst the steering box is off we changed the oil seal as it was weeping. Brake valves have also been removed for overhaul.
airtanks020208.jpg 2nd February 2008. Steering box and brake valves removed. Time to clean up!
jigsaw.JPG March 15th 2008. Cleaned and painted parts of the 3D Leopard Jigsaw.
chassis0308.JPG 15th March 2008. Don't worry. 665 is sitting on some large wooden blocks and a wheel centre. They are obscured by the blue plastic sheet.
2008_0329image0022.JPG 29th March 2008. Grit blasting still in progress...
2008_0503image0017.jpg 3rd May 2008. Grit blasted and painted. Its the RVPT running day tomorrow.... Oh well, maybe next year...
2008_0608image0007.JPG 8th June 2008. TT over, lets get back to grit blasting...
2008_0619image0003.JPG Its a 570443 drive coupling
2008_0620image0001.JPG 20th June 2008. How to dismantle a fan shaft. First get a slide hammer. This one was made for us by Booth W. Kelly of Ramsey.
2008_0620image0002.JPG 20 th June 2008. Whilst one pair of hands holds the vice the other gives the slide hammer a few good belts and it all comes off!!
2008_0621imageair.JPG 20th June 2008. The main air tank will have to be replaced due to corrosion. It looks like Atlanteans may have the same type of tank. If not I will exchange this one for that on 672.
672_airtank.JPG 28th June 2008. So how did you celebrate 665's 10th anniversary in preservation? I removed an airtank from 672 with my 1" 1/16 £4.50 e-bay spanner. Then did a spot of grit blasting.
holiday2.jpg 5th July 2008. Did RibblE bring coaches to the Isle of Man? Or did they hire locally operated vehicles.
2008_0726image0002.JPG 26th July 2008. 665 Looking rather dirty after several months inside the barn. I'll bring my bucket, sponge and hose attachments tomorrow!
2008_0907image0004.JPG 6th September 2008. One day I'll have this all done.
2009_02280007.JPG 28th february 2009. Steering box fitted and towing eye also re-fitted.
2009_03070019.JPG 7th March 2009. With slight play found in the king pins we had no alternative but to dismantle the hub assembly.
2009_03070020.JPG 7th March 2009. Close up of N/S hub. Brake drum removed and shoes released for better access.
2009_03070022.JPG 7th March 2009. N/S front hub removed. Good opportunity to clean and paint before re-assembly.
2009_03070024.JPG 7th March 2009. N/S front hub after steam cleaning.
2009_03280009.JPG 28th March 2009. O/S/F de-greased ready for cleaning with a cup brush.
2009_03280010.JPG 28th March 2009. N/S/F painted silver.
2009_03280011.JPG 28th March 2009. O/S/F Hub removed ready for steam cleaning.
2009_03280013.JPG 28th March 2009. N/S/F hub and front drums re-painted.
2009_04040001.jpg 29th March 2009. O/S/F hub steam cleaned, just need to transport it back to the barn in my car!
2009_04040008.jpg 4th April 2009. Front end of the chassis looking quite respectable. Just need to refasten the wiring harness.
2009_04040009.jpg 4th April 2009. Fibreglass wheel arch panels painted silver. N/S/F brake chamber resting on the front axle.
2009_04040010.jpg 4th April 2009. O/S/F axle cleaned and primed.
2009_04040013.jpg 4th April 2009. O/S/F hub cleaned and primed.
2009_05160008.jpg 16th May 2009. O/S/F Hub refitted. Ran out of time to re connect the slack adjuster.
2009_05160010.jpg 16th May 2009. One of the O/S/F brake shoe fulcrums had become pitted and had to be replaced..
2009_05230001.jpg 23rd May 2009. Whilst 665 was in the yard the opportunity was taken to change the N/S rear wheel on 672 which kept deflating.
2009_05230002.jpg 23rd May 2009. So what have you been doing for the last eleven months...
2009_05250002.jpg 25th May 2009. Bank holiday Monday was spent washing and cleaning the grit from 665.
2009_06060005.jpg 6th June 2009. Whilst bad weather postponed the TT races cleaning and painting continued.
2009_06130016.jpg 13th June 2009. New budget locks fitted, speedo drive replaced, S&T light switch changed, fuel sediment filter replaced, flexible fuel pipe also replaced. What else did we do? Oh yes rubbed down some more of the chassis and painted a few bits silver.
2009_06200001.jpg 20th June 2009. Eleven seat frames rubbed down and undercoated!!! Thanks Barry.
2009_06210002.jpg 21st June 2009. I made a start on cleaning the seats. If they all come up like this I will be very pleased.
2009_07120002.jpg 12th July 2009. Whilst I continued the chassis work Sam polished the seat frame grab rails.
2009_07120007.jpg 12th July 2009. I didn't take a picture yesterday when we had finished cleaning the coolant pipes and fitting new hoses.
2009_07180004.jpg July 18th 2009. Mark came up today to lend a hand. I should have taken a picture of the seat legs that were rubbed down and painted. I'll take one tomorrow!
2009_07190002.jpg July 19th 2009. My Dad left at Lunch time but Sam continued painting seat frames all afternoon! Mark also returned to rub down some of the few remaining seat frames. Thanks again Mark.
2009_07190003.jpg 19th July 2009. Seat legs also painted, some of which were rubbed down yesterday by Mark and my Dad.
2009_08010012.jpg 1st August 2009. 665 at Jurby Transport Museum.
2009_10100004.jpg 11th October 2009. New O/S/F tyre fitted to rim and re-inflated.
2009_10100011.jpg 10th October 2009. New N/S tyre fitted.
2009_12050003.jpg 5th December 2009. Ribble Leopard 665 has developed a water leak from the water pump. Pictured in Hangar 244.
2009_02280001.JPG 21st February 2009. 665's steering box was stil lleaking even with another new oil sea fitted. It is now going to be substituted for that from the chassis of 671.
2009_05090005.jpg 9th May 2009. N/S front hub re-fitted, new kingpin installed.
2009_07180003.jpg July 18th 2009. Water hoses replaced and system pressure tested.