SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM

DETAILS

Chassis: Guy Arab MkIII built I 948. No. FD35970

Body: Double-deck, Cravens H30/26R, built 1948

Engine: Gardner 6LW 6 cyl diesel, 8.4 litre.

First Licensed. 14/05/48

Lathalmond, (Ross Scoular)

Guy commenced building the Arab chassis in 933 but by the outbreak of war few had been built. In 1942 Guy were commissioned by the Ministry of Supply to build double-deck chassis for the home market to strict laid-down wartime specifications, and an improved version of the pre-war Arab resulted. In consequence many operators received their first Guy buses and the model soon gained a reputation for reliability and robustness.

With the relaxing of controls in the post-war period the Arab continued in modified form as the Mk III and was popular with many operators in both double- and single-deck versions, continuing in production until 1952.

R0607 was the last of a batch of 23 similar buses delivered in May 1948 to W Alexander & Sons Ltd of FaIkirk, fleet numbers R0583-607 (AWG36-393) for use in the Fife area. R0607 spent its entire Life at Kirkcaldy depot and became FRO607 in 1961 when Fife operations of Alexanders were transferred to a new company, W Alexander & Sons (Fife) Ltd. It was withdrawn from service in August 1970 and purchased for preservation.

Initially only superficial work was required to prepare the bus for rallying. Over the years, however, RO607 has been repainted into its original blue livery, a new engine has been fitted, the seats have been retrimmed and other remedial mechanical work and body repairs carried out. The vehicle is substantially in original condition.

Left: May 1971 at the Hamilton Traction Engine Rally - in the company of N Dawson-Smith's GWX 125 and the Albion Vehicle Preservation Trust's ex Sutherland, Peterhead AEC Regent FAV 827. (Iain MacGregor)