Chassis: Bristol Lodekka FLF6G, built 1967, No. 236119.

Body: Double-deck, Eastern Coach Works, 78 seats, built 1967.

Engine: Gardner 6LX 6cyl diesel, 10.4 litres.

First Licensed: 1/5/67.

Except where stated, all photos were taken at Lathalmond in March 2000 while minor adjustments were being made following restoration completion Jim Crichton

The prototype FLF (Flatfloor, Long, Forward entrance) emerged in 1959, as a successor to the highly successful LD. The FLF was, in contrast to some of its peers, a well thought-out, high seating capacity, forward-entrance vehicle, which quickly became an indispensable part of many of the SBG and NBC fleets. It was available with a number of engine options (Bristol, Gardner. and Leyland), with 4 or 5 speed constant mesh (and latterly semi and fully automatic) gearbox, and conventional or air suspension. Early models were mainly 70 seaters, but in collaboration with the SBG, a larger 78-seat model was subsequently developed. This was achieved by lengthening the body from 30’ to 31’ 0.7/8", whilst retaining the standard 9’ 2.1/4" wheelbase chassis. The stair and upper deck seating arrangements were also substantially modified and improved. The first of these lengthened buses went to Central SMT (BL273). Other deliveries followed to SBG fleets, whilst in England only Eastern National bought them in any quantity. The end of production in 1968 had built 1,867 FLFs built (of which 179 were of the long variety), bringing the total number of Lodekkas produced to no fewer than 5,217. Popular with engineers for its rugged construction and reliability in service, by the mid 70’s the Lodekka was less popular with many drivers, when it lacked such refinements as power steering and synchromesh or semi-automatic gearbox.

Restoration has been a chequered process owing to difficulties in finding suitable accommodation (until the opening of the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum), and domestic commitments. However, quite a lot of work has been carried out, particularly on the substructure and in bringing the vehicle up to MOT standards. The braking system was dismantled and replaced, the chassis was stripped and re-painted, and a 5 speed gearbox replaced the 4-speed box favoured by Central for these buses. The seats were re-trimmed in original moquette and the the bus has been painted inside and out. The photo above, taken the following week in the secondary workshop at Lathalmond, sees final adjustments in hand.

It made a successful debut at the Edinburgh Classic Bus Running Day on 11th June 2000..

Shed 47