THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - SMS 120P
DETAILS
Chassis: Daimler Fleetline CRG6LXB
Body: Alexander (Lowheight) H44/31F
Engine: Gardner 6LXB
First Licensed: July 1976
BACKGROUND
HISTORY
The
Scottish Bus Group bought Daimler Fleetlines from about 1963 until 1981 and was
pretty much their standard double decker of the period. The last came out
of service with Highland in the late 1990s. Various bodies were specified
including designs by Eastern Coach works and Northern Counties though the
majority were bodied by Alexander at the Falkirk works, of which SMS 120P
is an example.
HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE
SMS 120P was new in July 1976 to W. Alexander
& Sons (Midland) Ltd, fleet no MRF120. It operated from Milngavie Depot
before being relocated to Perth.
It was transferred throughout the Alexander fleet, to: Northern in May 1977 as fleet no NRF18; Fife in August 1987 as fleet no FRF 80; Highland in October 1988 as fleet no D920, before being bought for preservation in July 1997.
RESTORATION
DETAILS
When
acquired from Highland this vehicle had a current PSV ticket but as is so often
the case this in no way meant that restoration would be easy!
Restoration
was completed in October 2010 and the vehicle is now presented in "as
new" condition in the original Alexander Midland fleet livery. It made its
debut at the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust open day, carrying passengers after
13 years off the road.
A
brief summary of work undertaken is as follows:-
Chassis sandblasting, plating
and welding. Removal of grime from the "box" sections of the chassis
over the rear axles - a weak spot on Fleetlines. Protective coating
applied to chassis.
Replacement of many mechanical components
including offside front spring, air tanks, much
piping, fuel tank, replacement radiator, power steering ram and many
other smaller components. Overhaul to steering system including new ball joints
etc, and braking system.
Rewiring
to much of the bus. The electrics were in a shocking
(!!) condition. The junction box below the rear seat had all but disintegrated
and much of the under-floor wiring was in a poor state. Also, it was discovered
that at some time in the past, a short circuit had caused wiring between the
decks to melt. This has been replaced and necessitated cutting holes in the
ceiling (with a careful repair to the panels afterwards). Much of the wiring
plan had to be deduced from first principles - whilst the Daimler manual gives
basic details of chassis wiring it does not give details of body wiring.
Repairs to lower ends of body pillars; Repanelling - all
lower deck panels and some upper deck; new front dash panel, repairs to rear
bustle.
Rebuilding of the rear bulkhead, which had
badly corroded, between the rear seat and engine compartment
Engine servicing - timing;
cylinder head gaskets; etc.
Repairs to
front platform - new floor sections.
Repairs to fibreglass areas
in interior.
Repainting of interior - back to 1970s fawn colour.
Replacement of upper deck seats with correct ribbed vinyl pattern,
which had been collected together over a period of years. The lower deck
has been retrimmed in original moquette. (It was a peculiarity of Midland buses
for many years that the lower deck had moquette whilst the upper had vinyl).
Painting and finishing using
original colour shades and original varnish fix transfers.
(Gavin F Booth)