More photos of Guy buses and coaches

1.  Guy buses of the 1950s

The first set of photos shown on this page come from a private collection of photos.  It seems that these photos were originally gathered by or on behalf of Guy Motors, some time in the later 50s, apparently for advertising purposes.  Some of them seem to be photographic copies of photographs.  The purpose they serve here is to show something of the range of bodies which were put on Guy chassis; and to show something of the range of countries to which Guy buses were exported.  

Much of the detailed information below comes from Peter Williamson, to whom we are much obliged. 

If anyone has any further details of the origins of these photos, or of what they show, the Curator would be glad to hear from them.
The lettering on the side says "Corporation Transport".  The registration number is VHN 401.  It is one of a batch of Arabs, registered VHN 401-8, supplied to Darlington Corporation in 1954, with Roe bodywork. The destination board indicates Route 117, Traveller's Rest (Cockerton) via Woodland Road.
This Arab IV was supplied to Moore Bros of Kelvedon, Essex in 1955 and had lowbridge Strachan bodywork. The company is Moores.    Vehicle registration: 53 DHK. The destination is Chelmsford.
A Southdown bus on route 123.
Two Guy buses on delivery to Pontypridd Urban District Council.  Bodies by Roe.

Doug Parfitt has kindly provided the following information about these buses:  

Guy Arab IV chassis with Chas. H. Roe bodywork.  New in 1957.  Fleet numbers 75 & 76.  Chassis numbers FD73617 and FD73652.  Registrations VNY 653 and VNY 654.  Withdrawn from service 1976 and sold for scrap.

Pontypridd UDC had 12 Arab IV double deckers, including two 8' wide versions; and 4 Arab LUF single deckers.  During World War II, 2 Arab I and 14 Arab II double deckers were supplied and, when Bristol vehicles were no longer available, Pontypridd decided to standardise on Guy vehicles, which were all Gardner powered.
An Arab LUF Alexander bodied coach in the livery of Western SMT (Western Scottish Motor Traction).  The "registration" (WA 1955) is almost certainly a pre-delivery show plate, representing the body builder (Walter Alexander) and the year of manufacture.  Probably for exhibition at the Scottish Commercial Motor Show of 1955.
On the front it says Cannon's.  On the side it says State Express.  The registration number is LJH 555.  The printed notice in the side windows reads:  Built by W. L. Thurgood of Ware.

This is a 1954 Arab LUF with Burlingham bodywork. The vehicle ownership details say:  Sunderland Corporation Transport.  The fleet number seems to be 28. The registration number was EBR 228.
The vehicle ownership details say: Leybourne Garage Group, West Malling, Kent.  Vehicle registration: 647 BKL.

Another underfloor-engined Arab, with Burlingham bodywork.  West Wales were an independent bus operator, based in Ammanford.
An Arab UF with Guy body, supplied to Huddersfield Joint Omnibus Services in 1951.  Route 35 (Huddersfield to Huddersfield).  Vehicle registration FVH 2.  Fleet number 2.

Its sister vehicle, FVH 1, is thought to have been owned by the East Pennine Transport Group and in the care of the Guy Owners' Club but we understand this is no longer the case.

This seems to be a restoration.
A Guy underfloor, but no further details.

The next photographs are of overseas buses

South Africa.  Vaal Transport Corporation.  Fleet number 25.  Vehicle registration TV 5388.  Destination:  Vereeninging.
South Africa.  Karrim Bros., Ladysmith.  The side flash says: Ladysmith Umbulwana Express.  Destination:  Hospital.

South Africa.  Cato Manor Transport Co (Pty) Ltd., 32 Alice Street, Durban.  Vehicle registration: ND 20868.  Destination: Booth Rd..  The advert on the side is: "For your next suit G. Parbhoo & Son Tailors". 
South Africa?  There are no fleet markings visible.  Vehicle registration: SA 250 585.  Destination Glen Osmond.

The curator has left in place the original caption to the photo above, giving thanks that he included the question mark.  He has now heard from Dave Urquhart of Perth, WA, who points out that Glen Osmond is a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia and the six figure registration is a standard South Australian one of the time.  
South Africa.  Greyhound Bus Lines, Johannesburg.  Fleet number: 113.  Vehicle registration: TY 4381.  Destination: Orkney.
Kenya:  Fleet number: 5.  Vehicle registration:  KBX355. Destination: Digo Road.

Netherlands.  Zeeuws Vlaamse Tram.
Netherlands? The logo on the side seems to read Staatsautodienst Eindhoven.  Vehicle registration: N20594.

Andre Spek, of the Netherlands, writes: "In the period 1950 to 1965 most (80%) of Dutch buses were built on an English chasis or manufactured with running parts from England.  Leyland, AEC and Bedford exported a lot to us, as did Guy, but in smaller numbers.  These were mainly of the Arab type.  But I believe that the Staatsautodienst Eindhoven vehicle shown here is not a Guy bus at all.  To my knowledge this company never had Guy buses.  The registration number belongs to the Dutch vehicle registration system which was in use up until 1957".

Unfortunately we no longer have the original photo to inspect this bus more closely. The provenance of the original photo suggests that the photo was sent to Guy's by the fleet owners and Guys kept it even though it seems not be be one of theirs. Any further observations would be gratefully received.

Guy exported to the Iberian Peninsular and many parts of South America.    Can someone with some knowledge of Spanish or Portugese, or some sense of geography, help with identifying the next two photos?
Chassis: Guy Arab III, 1949

Body: unknown

Owner: José Maria dos Santos & Cia., Lda, Coimbra, Portugal, Fleet # 15

Registration: EE-15-45

Thanks to Thomas Schaumann for the details.
Chassis: Guy Arab II, 1946

Body: unknown, 34 Seats

Owner: Auto Viação de Espinho, Lda., Espinho, Portugal, Fleet # 16

Registration: EE-15-45

Thanks to Thomas Schaumann for the details.

A photograph of this drawing appears in the cache.  Presumably it was made for advertising purposes but whether it was simply a play on the name "Arab" or an attempt to interest a particular overseas market is not clear.  In any case the "Arab" architecture is thoroughly unconvincing.  The bus is probably a Victory.
This seems to be a photograph of the type of bus shown in the drawing above.

 

2  Some Guy Buses in Restoration

Here are photos of the few Guy passenger vehicles which the Curator has spotted around the place.  Many of them come from the collection at Manor Farm, where they are undergoing restoration, mainly by members of the Guy Owners Club.  
The interior of this coach is shown in the two photos below.

 
In the gloaming of the Manor Farm garage is a restored 1953 Arab LUF (underfloor engine), with a Saunders-Roe body. This vehicle was originally used by Guy as a demonstrator for potential customers.

A double deckerArab with a Massey body, also rests in the garage.  It belonged to Exeter Corporation.

Thanks to Ron Lucas of the Guy Owners' Club for letting me in to take the photos.

 
The Curator spotted this beautifully restored Guy Wolf coach, SB8155, at the Cosford Rally, June 2000.  It belongs to Tony and Brian Niblett.

(Thanks to Barry Whitelaw for information on this one).

A Guy Wolf coach of 1951, seen at the Black Country Rally, July 2002.  ex Llandudno.  The only known remaining Guy vehicle with a body by Metalcraft.  Owned by David Cookson. 

The Hastings Trolleybus Restoration Group are doing a great job preserving some very interesting items from Hastings' heritage - and also Wolverhampton's Guy heritage.  Many thanks to them for the photos and information below.  You can see more on their web site:  www.1066.net/trolley/

A unique open topped 1928 Guy BTX from the Hastings trolley system.  In 1959 a Commer diesel engine was fitted, enabling the vehicle to be still in frequent use with the Hastings Trolleybus Restoration Group.  The vehicle is well known in vintage vehicle circles as "Happy Harold".

Undergoing restoration by the Group is this Ransome bodied 1929 Guy BTX, fleet number 45 from Hastings' fleet of 50 similar vehicles.  It is called Felix, after Felix Cunuder, the tram and trolleybus innovator, and Hastings' chief engineer before he became the chief engineer for Cardiff Trolleybuses. He saved Happy Harold.

A similar vehicle, fleet number 57, was recently found in a field in Essex and is now at the National Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft.  On the far left is Hastings No.34, a 1947 Sunbeam with Weyman body.

From further afield, Dave Urquhart writes from Western Australia, where, he tells us, the local government bus undertaking once operated a fleet of 53 Guy buses. 

One of these, an Arab Mk III FD with Boltons 39-seat body, has been preserved by the Bus Preservation Society of WA. 

This is a recent photo of the bus which started life in 1951 as WA Government Tramways No 101, into whose livery the bus has been repainted. The photo was taken in St George’s Terrace, Perth just prior to departing on an enthusiasts run on Saturday 5 November 2005.

It is wonderful to see such restoration work being done.  Australia is a place where old vehicles generally get a great deal of attention and care and this seems to be a a good example of that commitment.  (It is interesting to note that the WA Government Tramways livery is very similar to that used by Wolverhampton Corporation when it ran the local buses).  

3.  Some advertising Guys

These illustrations come from Guy advertising material.  Our guess is that most of them are based on photographs, like those at the top of this page.  As usual, any further information on any of these vehicles would be very welcome.

An Otter, based on a Goy demonstrator, with Alexander bodywork.

And finally ... a rather badly printed colour photo outside the local pub, the Paget Arms. The vehicle shown is a 1949 Arab III with Guy bodywork.  It was supplied to Accrington Corporation, fleet number 10, registration KTC 615.  

Other Guy Pages:
Guy vehicles in Wolverhampton fleet
Guy Company History
Return to Guy buses and trolley buses
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