AECs in the UK
Photo Galleries

The front engined AEC Regal was first produced in 1929 and was the basis for many buses and coaches both in and outside of London. In London, especially, it was the basis of many Greenline coaches built in the 1930s. The Mark IV AEC Regal introduced in 1950 broke the mould by having its engine under the floor. The most celebrated Regals are the London Transport RF class AEC Regal IVs built between 1951 and 1953, with Metro-Cammell bodywork that was years ahead of its time.   There are probably more of these vehicles in preservation today than of any other type of bus.

All the photographs on this site are from the author's personal collection unless credited otherwise.  If you would like to contribute photographs or news of AEC Regals in service please email the author at

CG 9607	CG 9607, a 1934 AEC Regal 4 (mark I Regal with four-cylinder diesel engine), second of a batch of eight with Harrington 32 seat bodies for Gosport and Fareham Omnibus Co. (Provincial).  They were later fitted with 7.7 litre six-cylinder engines and this vehicle is seen after being rebuilt as a 34 seater by Provincial in 1961, lasting well into the 1960s.   An example of the original bodywork on sister CG 9606 can be seen in Alan Townsin's book "Blue Triangle".   Photo by Gerry Cork
HKL 836	One of a pair of 1946 Regal Mark IIIs with Beadle bodies converted to open top, which were for many years a feature of the Hastings town tour, Maidstone & District 8003 was seen in August 1981 at the old town. This vehicle is now with West Coaches of Wood Green, who are restoring it to PSV service, after a stint with Guide Friday. Two other members of the batch are now privately preserved (see the Preserved page).
LPT 328	Burlingham bodied Regal III LPT 328 has been restored and returned to service by Silver Star of Caernarfon. It runs day and half-day tours in the area, and was photographed at their depot in April 2003. Photo by Derek Thomson. An earlier member of the Silver Star fleet can be seen in the Short Reliances gallery.
MLL 792	Metrobus of Orpington ran preserved ex LT Regal IV RF255 on a summer service between Bromley and Tunbridge Wells in 1994. It is seen taking layover at Bromley North station having just arrived with a standing load of Londoners returning from a day out in Kent.
EX 7666	A rather different Regal IV, EX 7666 was new to Seagull, Great Yarmouth in 1953 and featured an unusual and elaborate Gurney-Nutting centre entrance coach body.  It was seen at Cleethorpes in July 1969 whilst operating with Bestway.   Note the rather more flamboyant than usual AEC badge.  In the background is another Regal, a Reliant Regal Mk IV.   Photo by Gerry Cork, car identification by Bob Wingrove.
MLL 952	Memory Lane Travel ran former RF315, one of the London & Country heritage fleet dispensed with by Arriva, on Sunday service 32 between Guildford and Dorking for a number of years before Surrey County Council withdrew the service in January 2004. It was seen at Dorking in August 2000. It still appears regularly at running days in the area.
MXX 289	Another ex LT Regal IV, RF401 continues in service with Blue Triangle of Rainham, although it doesn't have any regular work at present. It is seen at Braintree in September 1991 whilst working an Essex county council Sunday service from Romford to Colchester. Photo by Mike Penn.