THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - AWG 639

BACKGROUND HISTORY

Early postwar production of AEC single- and double-deck bus chassis, which had been halted by wartime demands, consisted of a return to the prewar specification, although new models were introduced by AEC in 1947. The 0662 model Regal was originally produced in 1929, and by the outbreak of war ten years later, the chassis was usually fitted with the AEC A173 7.7 litre diesel engine and D124 constant mesh ("Crash") gearbox as in this example. The chassis was popular with many operators throughout the country in both service bus and luxury coach form.

HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE

Production of Regals had exceeded 4000 by 1946 when W.Alexander & Sons Ltd of Falkirk placed a batch of 35 in service with Alexander 35 seat bodies (A3 1-65 AWG618-652). However, to speed entry into service at a time of severe shortage of new vehicles, ten of these including A52 had bodies built at the bus overhaul works at Brown St. Camelon, Falkirk, ahead of the others of the batch which were bodied at the coachworks. It is believed that the frames were supplied by the body manufacturing firm Brockhouse. The Brown Street buses were to an older and altogether different design, with wooden frames. The entire batch was put in service in the Northern (Aberdeen) area and transferred to W.Alexander & Sons (Northern) Ltd. when the Alexander company was divided in 1961.

A52 was initially allocated to Aberdeen depot (depot code A) but spent most of its life at Elgin (E). After a few years in the predominantly cream coach livery, it was downgraded to a service bus and repainted in the mainly blue livery of the bus fleet. At about this time also the sliding roof with which it had been fitted when new was removed.

The wooden framed Regals were the first to be withdrawn by Northern in 1964-65, some seeing further service for a year or so at the Bathgate depot of Eastern Scottish, but A52 was sold for use as a car transporter by the vintage car collector and local garage proprietor George Strathdee at Cults, near Aberdeen. By 1984 it had passed to a group of preservationists in the Aberdeen area, but little restoration was done and it was sold to its present owner in May, 1985.

Collecting the vehicle from Mains of Drum farm? in 1985 on purchase (left) and arrival at Pathhead. Mike Mitchell

RESTORATION DETAILS

Although the bus was more or less complete (apart from having no seats) when acquired, removal of the body panels revealed very extensive rot in the wooden frame. 12 out of the 14 main body pillars had to be replaced, together with all wheel arches, most of the breast rail, and half of the front bulkhead. In addition, the rear end has been reconstructed to replace the transporter ramps and rear doors. The cab and front canopy were badly rotted and have been rebuilt. All window frames have been repaired or renewed, and all the windows replaced with safety glass.

Shortly before retrimming work was due to start, the complete original set of seats came to light, when these were donated by George Strathdee’s widow.

The bus has been completely retrimmed internally, with all decorative woodwork renovated, roof and side panels replaced where necessary and re-covered, luggage racks repaired and re-trimmed, linoleum renewed, and all electrical circuits re-wired. The seats were re-upholstered with new moquette to the original pattern. (Approx 12 metres of this is still available for sale by the owner).

Externally, the only additions have been flashing indicators and additional brake lamps, provided for safety reasons in modern traffic conditions.

Mechanically, the bus was in running condition. However the steering, brakes and rear suspension have been overhauled, and the fuel delivery system and tank was repaired. A major water leak in the engine was traced to a fracture in the side of the engine block. That has now been repaired, and the bus runs well.

The bus was painted in July 1989, and the restoration was completed in spring, 1991. It is normally available for viewing in the Exhibition Hall.

Mike Mitchell