The "Cardboard Horse"

In the late 1990s, TUS (Transportes Urbanos de Sabadell, S.C.C.L.) took delivery of an Iveco 491E.12.27 Cityclass bus. It featured a Hispano V.O.V. body by the Zaragoza-based coachbuilder Hispano Carrocera, and was handed over as a demonstrator for the operator to test ahead of a potential order.

Following the subsequent trials, the logical response was a rejection. Nevertheless, the vehicle remained on the company's active fleet list until the end of its... useful life, so to speak.

It was riddled with problems and breakdowns, earning itself a notorious reputation among the workforce. It was nicknamed the "Cardboard Horse" because, during its early years in Spain, the Iveco brand used the Pegaso logo —tarnishing the heritage of the historic Spanish manufacturer—.

While buses at this company are generally retired after 20 years of service thanks to their immaculate maintenance standards (which is highly commendable), this particular unit was withdrawn after just 16 years.

In this snapshot, we can see it at the Line 3 terminus in La Romànica, Sabadell.