SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM

DETAILS

Chassis: Guy Arab Mklll, built 1950, No. 70577.

Body: Double-deck, Duple H30/26R.

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

First Licensed: 29/2/52.

Lathalmond, September 2003 (Jim Crichton)

The first Guy Arab double-deck chassis was introduced in 1933, and the range was the first to offer an oil engine as standard. The engines offered were the Gardner 5LW and 6LW. Few Arabs were built until the model was chosen as a standard wartime utility by the Ministry of Supply. After the War, Guy continued to produce chassis, and in 1946 the Arab Mklll appeared with a constant-mesh gearbox, and a lower radiator and bonnet level. The MkIII was in production until I 950, when it was replaced by the MkIV. The last Guy Arab, MkV. was built between 1962 and 1970/71.

Best known as a luxury coach builder. Duple built a few double-deck bodies before World War II, but during the War the company became one of the suppliers of utility double-deck bodywork. In the post-war years Duple built a distinctively styled double-deck design, as fitted to GVD 47. The 1953 body on Edinburgh Corporation 314, also at Lathalmond, is to a similar design.

GVD 47 was a Duple exhibit at the 1950 Earls Court Commercial Motor Show, in an all white livery, understood to be that of Colchester Corporation. (It had been displayed in an operator’s colour to comply with exhibition rules). It was purchased by Hutchison’s Coaches of Overtown, and first registered early in 1952 retaining the show livery.

GVD was withdrawn from service in July 1972 and for a short period (June 1975 to June 1976) served as a mobile staff rest room before finally being laid up. During the period as mobile rest room she was taxed as a private vehicle with appropriate MOT certificate.

Photo: Jim Thomson

Barrhead, April 1963 (Iain MacGregor)

Unfortunately the height of the vehicle proved unsuitable for Hutchison’s routes, and it was sold through Millburn Motors to McGill’s of Barrhead on 14th May 1952. GVD 47 remained with McGill’s until purchased by the present owner.

The white livery was retained until the very late 1950s, indeed, in 1953 the livery was enhanced by red and blue highlights on the side aluminium stripes to embrace the Coronation spirit of red, white and blue. GVD 47 led the procession of buses carrying schoolchildren around Hampden Park before the Queen, during her first State Visit to Scotland. This earned GVD the title of ‘The Coronation Bus”, and it was much in demand for private hires.

Paisley, September 1969 (Iain MacGregor)

Lathalmond, 2002 (Ross Scoular)

A new engine was fitted in 1971, and this has clocked up a very low mileage. I await further details from the owner.