Volvo B59
The Volvo B59 was a rear-engined bus chassis manufactured by Volvo in Sweden between 1970 and 1979.
The first Volvo B59 was delivered to the Københavns Sporveje in 1970, and was fitted with a bodywork built by Aabenraa Karrosserifabrik in Aabenraa. Originally operated as a prototype, it came later entered ordinary service. After withdrawal, It was purchased by Volvo for preservation at the Volvo Museum in Gothenburg. At least 89 were subsequently purchased.
The B59 was popular with Australian government operators. Brisbane City Council placed 98 in service between 1976 and 1978, State Transit Authority, Adelaide 307 between 1977 and 1979 and the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board 100. The State Transport Authority's 1002, was sent to Sweden for almost two years as a demonstrator.
Only one was built to UK specification, with Marshall bodying a demonstrator for Ailsa Bus, the UK Volvo dealers, in 1972. It was demonstrated across the country, but compared with the Leyland National, it was too expensive with no orders placed. Subsequent operators included Parks of Hamilton and Stag Garage of Lochgilphead.
A trolleybus version of Volvo B59 was also built. A batch of 17 vehicles, fitted with Ansaldo electric equipment and Mauri bodywork, was delivered to ATAM of Italian city Rimini between 1975 and 1978, for use on the Rimini–Riccione trolleybus line.
The B59 was also sold in Belgium, France, Holland, Portugal and Switzerland. It was succeeded by the B10R.
