WN6701 (40437) Volvo B6BLE Wright Crusader 2

New in July 1999, this Volvo B6BLE Wright Crusader 2s, numbered WN6701, arrived at First’s Melverley Street Depot in Wigan. Part of a batch of eight, they were initially assigned to the Gold Services in Wigan, primarily operating the 540/559 corridor. However, their time in Wigan was brief, as they were transferred to Queens Road in late 2000 due to the arrival of a new batch of B10BLEs X691-699 ADK.

These Volvo B6s joined the existing Crusader 1s ordered by GM Buses, forming a relatively standard fleet across Manchester. They continued to serve their remainder of their service life at Queens Road, and withdrawn in 2015/6. In 2015, 6701 was preserved directly from First and immediately entered the rally scene, touring the country as far south as Penzance.

Six years ago (2019), the vehicle was parked up and has barely been touched in the last three years. The previous owner, unable to dedicate the time to it anymore, has kindly donated 6701 to the group, hoping to see it live on again.