Three of the batch NDL652R [652] / NDL653R [653] & NDL654R [654] were fitted with pantograph style windscreen wipers (ie. hinged below the windscreen), which was also a feature of subsequent Bristol VRT deliveries.

In 1979 MDL650R [650] was repainted into the Blue, Red & White pre-1932 livery to commemorate the Company's 50th Anniversary.

In March 1982 MDL650R [650] was repainted back into NBC Leaf Green & White livery.

They were repainted into deregulation Emerald Green & Cream livery in:
March 1986: NDL654R [654] (early livery, but subsequently received standard livery)
October 1986: MDL651R [651] & NDL653R [653]
November 1986: NDL652R [652]
January 1987: NDL656R [656]
February 1987: NDL655R [655]
March 1988: MDL650R [650]

They were withdrawn from service in:
October 1989: MDL650R [650]
February 1990: MDL651R [651] & NDL652R [652]
June 1990: NDL653R [653] & NDL654R [654]
January 1991: NDL655R [655] & NDL656R [656] (following return from Solent Blue Line)

Between 9 to 20 January 1991 NDL655R [655] & NDL656R [656] went on loan to Solent Blue Line.

Subsequent History

MDL650R [650]:

• In March 1990 it was sold to PVS of Carlton (dealer) and passed to Cambus but was not operated.
• In August 1990 it was sold to Lowland Scottish and entered service as their number [850].
• By March 1998 it was sold to Dunsmore of Larkhall (dealer) and was scrapped. [per Dave Shaw]

MDL651R [651]:

• In March 1990 it was sold to PVS of Carlton (dealer) and passed to Cambus but was not operated.
• In November 1990 it passed to Jones & Sons of Pwllheli.
• In September 1995 it passed to Alpine Travel of Llandudno.
  By 28 February 2007 it had been withdrawn.

NDL652R [652]:

• In March 1990 it was sold to PVS of Carlton (dealer) and passed to Cambus but was not operated.
• During 1990 it passed to Clark of Barnsley (dealer).
• By May 1990 it was on loan to Rotherham & District.
• By November 1990 it had passed to Yorkshire Terrier of Sheffield.
• In March 1991 it was sold to NIBS (Nelson) of Wickford.
  It was likely withdrawn in July 2005.
• In December 2005 it was sold to C&J Stewart of Shenfield, Essex, for preservation.

NDL653R [653]:

• In November 1990 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line operating as their number [83]. In January 1991 it was repainted into a White Colorbus advertisement for "Southern Daily Echo". [per Dave Jolliffe]
  In January 1994 it was repainted into a Red Colorbus advertisement for "Southern Daily Echo" - the front of the bus was painted into standard Solent Blue Line livery. [per Dave Jolliffe]
  Around July 1995 it was withdrawn. [per Dave Shaw]
• In October 1995 it was sold to North of Sherburn (dealer). [per Dave Shaw]
• Around April 1997 it is believed that it was subsequently exported to the USA although this has never been confirmed.

NDL654R [654]:

• In November 1990 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line operating as their number [84].
• In September 1997 it was sold to Alpine Travel of Llandudno.
  By 29 March 2006 it was noted in a partially dismantled state at their Rhyl Depot (view photo).
  By 28 February 2007 it had been withdrawn.

NDL655R [655]:

• In May 1991 it was sold to Lowland Scottish and entered service as their number [855]. Around April 1998 it was withdrawn. [per Dave Shaw]
• By June 1998 it had passed to Shepherd of Edinburgh for intended preservation. [per Dave Shaw]
• In January 2000 it was sold to Hoare of Chepstow (dealer) and was scrapped. [per Dave Shaw]

NDL656R [656]:

• In May 1991 it was sold to Lowland Scottish and entered service as their number [856].
• By August 1998 it had been sold to Shepherd of Edinburgh for preservation, and has been on loan to the SVBM (Scottish Vintage Bus Museum). [per Dave Shaw]

An offside-front view of MDL650R [650] in the Blue, Red & White (pre-1932) "Anniversary" livery at Yarmouth on 14 August 1980.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

An offside-front view of MDL650R later with Lowland Scottish as their [850] in the later style Lowland livery at Peebles Depot during March 1996.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]

A nearside-front view of MDL651R [651] in Emerald Green & Cream livery entering Newport Bus Station during the summer of 1988.
[photo copyright of Julian Martin]

An offside-front view of NDL652R [652] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Shanklin Bus Station on 26 July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

A nearside-front view of NDL652R with NIBS (Nelson Independant Bus Services) of Wickford at Wickford Railway Station on 18 May 2002.
[photo copyright of Chris Stewart]

An offside-front view of NDL653R [653] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Lake Road, Lake, on 27 August 1981.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

An offside-front view of NDL654R [654] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Shanklin Bus Station on 24 July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

A nearside-front view of NDL654R as Solent Blue Line [84] in Bargate Street, Southampton, during March 1991.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]

A nearside-front view of NDL654R with Alpine Travel of Llandudno at their Rhyl Depot during September 2001.
[photo copyright of Ken Lansdowne]

An offside-front view of NDL655R [655] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Ryde Town Hall on 21 April 1979.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

An offside-front view of NDL656R [656] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Ryde on 23 July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

A nearside-front view of NDL656R [656] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Shanklin Bus Station on 26 July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

A nearside-front view of NDL656R immaculately preserved and shortly after it had been repainted around October/November 2000 at the SVBM (Scottish Vintage Bus Museum).
[photo copyright of Leopard333]