SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM

*At SVBM Whitburn.* **Stuart Macrae**
DETAILS Chassis: Guy Arab Mk III built 1950 No. FD70158 Body: Single-Deck, Guy B33R, built 1950 Engine: Gardner 5LW 5 cyl diesel, 7.0 litres. First Lcensed: 1/6/50.

Guy commenced building the Arab’ chassis n 1933 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 Ill and was popular with many operators in both double- and single-deck versions, continuing in production until 1952.

EVA 324 was the last of a batch of 12 similar buses delivered to Central SMT Co Ltd of Motherwell in 1949/50, numbered K13-24 (EVA 312-24). They were initially used for private hire as well as bus duties and were unusual in having !ow ratio high-speed differentials. The last three of the batch differed from the rest in having the longer bonnet to accomodate a 6LW engine although fitted with the 5LW unit. They had a comparatively short working life, being withdrawn in 1960-62 (EVA 324 was the last to go in 1962). It was purchased by a farmer near Dundee where for the next sixteen years it transported fruit-pickers until purchased for preservation in 1978.

Although basically sound, some rot was evident in the timber-framed body and this was rectified at an early stage of restoration, in 1978/79. A full interior refurbishment was carried out including retrimming the seats. The mechanics were found to be sound but a faulty gearbox was removed and replaced. The vehicle was initially repainted in the livery of Westen SMT with which it never operated, but which operated identical vehicles.

In 1988 the cab structure was reframed after extensive corrosion had become evident, and the bus was repainted into original Central SMT livery. It is also fitted with a towbar behind a removable rear panel to assist in vehicle recovery in times of emergency, but in practice this has rarely been used.