This is the second of a batch of photo features prepared in 2008. Like all features in this series, the narrative (reproduced below) is somewhat dated and may not have been absolutely accurate in the first instance. It is pleasing to report that both of these vehicles survive in Arrivatised Malta. Here's what I wrote at the time
Perhaps the most characteristic Maltese buses were those built on lengthened chassis from former miltary trucks. Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford all provided large numbers of outwardly similar vehicles from their Canadian assembly lines. Dodges proved to be particularly popular on Malta, as both lorries and buses. Only two buses are known to survive in original normal-control form, one Dodge and one Ford. Both are in semi-retirement as licenced PSVs that are rarely used in service. The green and yellow views date from 1983 and 2007 respectively.
In the first pair of pictures we see Y-0661, the current EBY 661. This chassis has commonly been reported as a Willys-Dodge but it is most likely to be a Dodge that incorporates certain Willys parts. The 35-seat body was built by Brincat. This bus was initially registered 2219 (Kalafrana route) and subsequently carried registrations 3036 (unscheduled bus), A-3036, Y-1557 and Y-0857 prior to becoming Y-0661.
In the second pair of pictures we see Y-0636, the current EBY 636. This is a Ford V8 despite the Dodge front, which replaced the original Ford assembly. The 40-seat Gasan body originally had a central entrance. This bus was initially registered 2890 (Sliema route) and subsequently carried registrations A-2890 and Y-1337 prior to becoming Y-0636.
See my complete set of Malta Bus Photo Features here:
www.flickr.com/photos/northernblue109/sets/72157631903411...
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