(29 Jul 2014, 9:08 am)Robert wrote Right. Im confused with the whole 'Cadet' business.
I assume that 8242-8252 are all DAF SB120s because of their 'block' lights at the front, resembling a renown.
I therefore assume that 8253-8260 and 8267-8273 are VDL SB120s because of their circular lights on the front (apart from the indicators).
And i believe that 8261-8266 are Volvo SB120 Wright Merits.
However, what confuses me is that now, im been told that what i thought were VDL SB120s are actually DAFs and 8261-8266 are VDL but still Merits. I could have sworn that, at one point on the Go North East fleet list 8261-66 were started as been Volvo, not VDL. Could somebody at least try and get me 'unconfused' (just made up a word there)
See our fleet list for the chassis variations.
DAF SB120/Wright Cadet
VDL SB120/Wright Merit
They look similar to Renowns because of the Wright bodywork, which is what those vehicles have in common with Volvo B10BLEs.
There are variations in the bodywork because they were manufactured at different times. A similar example that you should be familiar with (living in the Stanley area) would be the rear lights on the Venture Solos compared to all the others in the fleet which were new in 2011/12 - the bodywork has been altered slightly this year but Optare hasn't manufactured them as a different product as they are pretty much the same.
When they first arrived, GNE listed them as Volvos, yes. Reason why is explained on the Wiki article for the VDL SB120: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/VDL_SB120
The Merits were purchased from Volvo dealer stock, whereas, so far as I know, the Cadets were ordered directly from Wrights.