Absolutely stunning. The skills, dedication, and hard work that has gone into this restoration are just awesome. Many thanks to all of the team at Wythall.
Its just truley remarkable what they have achieved - Awesome is a word that we would use. We cannot recommend enough that you visit the Museum - their Enthusiasm and Dedication is outstanding.
One of my grandfathers was a London Transport bus driver before and after the war. I never met him but seeing photos of him he looked like a body builder because buses in those days didn't have power steering so every workday was an upper body workout. He used also test new buses and one of the tests was doing a "360" on the skid pan. Despite looking top heavy the double deck buses are very stable and also very hard to tip over. He told mum on the skid pan he'd put new buses through violent movements to get them to spin around suddenly for the skid pan was covered in water and thick detergent. For him it was great fun. If mum ever caught a bus her dad was driving then he'd ring the conductor and tell him not to charge mum any fare.
I'm an old man of 79 years now, and I was born & bred in Smethwick. The junior school that I attended, Devonshire Road Junior School, was very good at organising works visits to all sorts of nearby factories, and one day, when I was about 10 years old, we were taken to the main repair depot of Birmingham City Transport, which, I think, was in Erdington, but my memory is not so good after 69 years! Please feel free to correct me on this point! Absolutely loved the visit, and was especially impressed by a very large group of recon. engines in one part of the works waiting to go into overhauled chassis. In due course I moved to the South Coast and became an HGV fitter, but I also worked for Hants & Dorset Motor Co. in Southampton and Southdown in Portsmouth. It was a great way to earn a living.
Love that AEC, what a fabulous looking vehicle and what an amazing restoration, well done to all on this! The bus garage that presumably had been bombed was a terribly sad sight, all those wonderful vehicles and all that money gone. Thanks for this, well saved Folks, love what you do!
Can hardly believe it, ........but I am the 486th person to 'like' this video ! Superb restoration of this iconic old bus. Aldridge/Walsall born and bred and grew up with the trolly bus network in full swing. So proud and thankful that there are some people who take the time, care and sheer hard graft to protect our shared heritage, ......thank you.
👍👌👏 Oh WOW, simply fantastic! Thanks a lot for making rescuing restoring teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards, luck and especially health to all involved people.
I grew up in Wythall and King's Heath in the 50s and 60s. Only much later did I realise how well maintained were BCT and BMMO buses. I did not know any different at that time.
A gold medal for those who restored this fabulous machine. It brings a tear to my eye to see it back to its original condition. Just a pity that the engine isn't the original A.E.C Petrol but at least it survives.
Thanks for the video didn't know about Wythall transport museum so looked it up, it's closed at the moment but I'll keep an eye out for when it reopens as it looks an interesting place to visit (got friends in Dickens Heath and used to work at Tanworth in Arden so know the area pretty well).
My dad worked for Birmingham City Transport, in accounts. He had a couple of photo albums with photos of all trams and buses operated in Birmingham. Wish I had the albums now.
That bus looks really stunning once it was done but what I want to really know is what happened to the old boy who is living in the past what happened to him I bet he got turfed out
I have been very fortunate to have ridden in this vehicle. One thing that was not mentioned is that this vehicle has a Petrol engine! Diesels were in their infancy in the 1930's and AEC went on to develop very good diesel engines.
As an ex Coventry kid I never heard about how badly Brum was bombed. I remember seeing the Corporation Daimlers in the 60s & 70s with their mustard(?) roofs. Took my dad to visit Wythall in the 80s but I don't remember seeing this bus. Don't know if it's still there but I gave the museum a model of an RT that I painted up in Coventry Corporation colours, №99 the only RT they had. Talk of the largest electric vehicle collection, does that mean trolleybuses? Travelled on those down here in Bournemouth on holiday in the 60s. Love that Brum has trams back now too.
I think of the fitters working day and night often under enemy attention, in the garages to keep all those various types loaned to the capital, in running order.
Fabulous, this is a real beauty. But why (at 7:12) didn't they put a seat over the wheel arch? It's the first time I've seen this arrangement, though I imagine it's luggage space
Birmingham (Like London at the time) specified a straight forward-ascending staircase which meant there was no headroom for a wheelarch seat on the offside.
The Salford Daimler fleet from 1950-ish had the same staircase/wheel arch arrangement: leaving the offside wheel arch area for luggage/prams etc., looking the same as on this much-older bus. One of the Salford buses ('511') still exists.
2:10 Deck-Over Bonnet Motorbus (Streetcar Level & Deck Level) With A Forward Offset (Driver’s Space), If You Half A Cab Of A Bus, You Get An Offset For The Driver
Absolutely beautiful. I’ve seen many images and a few examples of the Birmingham livery but I’m also blown away by the interior style and colour scheme. What an amazing transformation from the find to the finished rebuild. Well done to all involved.
So I think I'm the 6th person to ask this; what happened to the man who was living in the bus? Does anyone know? It's a glaring omission from the video!
So they found the vehicle but then evicted an old man who was living in it 😮😮. Or did they bring the bus AND the old man back to Birmingham? These are the key questions that need to be asked. Guessing if they did bring him back; it would of been a culture shock for the old miner, swapping the Herts countryside for sleepy old Birmingham 🤔
The two buses side by side old and new . Well the one on the right was good looking and had character. The one on the left . Modern bus is ugly. My personal opinion .
Absolutely stunning. The skills, dedication, and hard work that has gone into this restoration are just awesome. Many thanks to all of the team at Wythall.
Its just truley remarkable what they have achieved - Awesome is a word that we would use.
We cannot recommend enough that you visit the Museum - their Enthusiasm and Dedication is outstanding.
@idpfilm Yes, I have been to Wythall and thoroughly recommend a visit.
Lovely ex BCt buses. Shame seeing them in that state.
What a lovely job !
You didn't show us much of the engine, is it overhead cam, the view suggests so ?
One of my grandfathers was a London Transport bus driver before and after the war. I never met him but seeing photos of him he looked like a body builder because buses in those days didn't have power steering so every workday was an upper body workout. He used also test new buses and one of the tests was doing a "360" on the skid pan. Despite looking top heavy the double deck buses are very stable and also very hard to tip over. He told mum on the skid pan he'd put new buses through violent movements to get them to spin around suddenly for the skid pan was covered in water and thick detergent. For him it was great fun. If mum ever caught a bus her dad was driving then he'd ring the conductor and tell him not to charge mum any fare.
That's a myth as the steering was not that heavy even with a full load on. I know, as I spent all my working life on the buses from 1961 to 2010.
Craftsmanship at its finest in all aspects, design,mechanical engineering, bodybuilding. PETER LINDOP UK 🇬🇧
I'm an old man of 79 years now, and I was born & bred in Smethwick. The junior school that I attended, Devonshire Road Junior School, was very good at organising works visits to all sorts of nearby factories, and one day, when I was about 10 years old, we were taken to the main repair depot of Birmingham City Transport, which, I think, was in Erdington, but my memory is not so good after 69 years! Please feel free to correct me on this point! Absolutely loved the visit, and was especially impressed by a very large group of recon. engines in one part of the works waiting to go into overhauled chassis. In due course I moved to the South Coast and became an HGV fitter, but I also worked for Hants & Dorset Motor Co. in Southampton and Southdown in Portsmouth. It was a great way to earn a living.
What about the bloke who was living in the bus ?
I noticed that..
Took his home and nothing said about him..
Remarkable vehicle, wonderful museum.
Congratulations on a fabulous restoration. 👍
First class restoration, well done to all involved we must keep our history alive ..
Love that AEC, what a fabulous looking vehicle and what an amazing restoration, well done to all on this!
The bus garage that presumably had been bombed was a terribly sad sight, all those wonderful vehicles and all that money gone. Thanks for this, well saved Folks, love what you do!
Can hardly believe it, ........but I am the 486th person to 'like' this video ! Superb restoration of this iconic old bus. Aldridge/Walsall born and bred and grew up with the trolly bus network in full swing. So proud and thankful that there are some people who take the time, care and sheer hard graft to protect our shared heritage, ......thank you.
My old company “AEC” (ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT COMPANY)built this venerable old omnibus …..❤️
Absolutely stunning restoration , elegance and luxury on wheels, many congratulations to the craftsmen involved .
Absolutely brilliant and beautiful wow such outstanding craftsmanship well done ❤
Immaculate! Would have loved to have seen some of the restoration progress, but Well Done!
What happened to the gent that was living in it when it was found...?
I wondered that, too; poor bugger.
What a beautiful restoration you guys have done to that old bus
Superb restoration well done
Amazing! What a gorgeous bus!
94 years old and still hear thats amazing, thanks to all the restorers
Just beautiful things, the old buses 🙏
A credit to the fanatics who spent lots of time and hard sweat and tears in restoring this old girl.they have done a fantastic job. Looks superb.
👍👌👏 Oh WOW, simply fantastic!
Thanks a lot for making rescuing restoring teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing.
Best regards, luck and especially health to all involved people.
amazing work guys. i love the fact it has window winders for the large side widow fantastic
so lovely to see,,,,, what a fantastic restoration
Beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous!
Beautiful restoration ❤.
What an incredibly beautiful story, and what a beautiful bus it is 💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻
Like an old watches, as some 50’s watches were hard to find!.
I grew up in Wythall and King's Heath in the 50s and 60s. Only much later did I realise how well maintained were BCT and BMMO buses. I did not know any different at that time.
This just popped up on my Y.T. feed and I must say an excellent story and a beautiful restoration that you must be proud of.
Great video thanks for showing 😊
A gold medal for those who restored this fabulous machine. It brings a tear to my eye to see it back to its original condition. Just a pity that the engine isn't the original A.E.C Petrol but at least it survives.
I well remember these Corporation buses, as well as the Midland Red from my childhood. I emigrated to Australia in 1952, when I was 12.
Without volunteers Britain would have nothing worth having! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I wonder what happened to the old Welsh coal miner who was living inside 486? Was he made homeless?
The bodywork was designed by Mr G J Rackham who also designed bodies for Leyland, Daimler and Crossley.
Thanks for the video didn't know about Wythall transport museum so looked it up, it's closed at the moment but I'll keep an eye out for when it reopens as it looks an interesting place to visit (got friends in Dickens Heath and used to work at Tanworth in Arden so know the area pretty well).
Very impressive restoration, and fascinating video. I think the photo of OV4492 must be pre-war, though, or else the headlamps would be restricted.
Loved the Birmingham Buss and the colour scheme
. . Including the trams that was .
Beautiful bus👍
My dad worked for Birmingham City Transport, in accounts. He had a couple of photo albums with photos of all trams and buses operated in Birmingham. Wish I had the albums now.
An amazing piece of hostory saved !
Well done to all concerned.
That bus looks really stunning once it was done but what I want to really know is what happened to the old boy who is living in the past what happened to him I bet he got turfed out
What happened to the man who's home was this bus ????
I have been very fortunate to have ridden in this vehicle. One thing that was not mentioned is that this vehicle has a Petrol engine! Diesels were in their infancy in the 1930's and AEC went on to develop very good diesel engines.
Fantastic how many 100,000 hours have gone into this you must be so proud what skills, what dedication over so many years I wish you well
well done amazing restoration
wow love it hats off to you all looks fantastick
So what happened to the miner who home it was? If he was lving there then I guess he owned it.
I remember the last trolley buses that operated in Bournemouth until 1968, I was 5 at the time
As an ex Coventry kid I never heard about how badly Brum was bombed. I remember seeing the Corporation Daimlers in the 60s & 70s with their mustard(?) roofs. Took my dad to visit Wythall in the 80s but I don't remember seeing this bus. Don't know if it's still there but I gave the museum a model of an RT that I painted up in Coventry Corporation colours, №99 the only RT they had.
Talk of the largest electric vehicle collection, does that mean trolleybuses? Travelled on those down here in Bournemouth on holiday in the 60s. Love that Brum has trams back now too.
I always remember the comment that Guy engines were bomb proof.
Brilliant
Good video, like!!!
Excellent. At 2.00/2.30 the bus, running in WW2, seems to have bald tyres. Was that usual?
Fascinating 🧐
I think of the fitters working day and night often under enemy attention, in the garages to keep all those various types loaned to the capital, in running order.
Fabulous, this is a real beauty. But why (at 7:12) didn't they put a seat over the wheel arch? It's the first time I've seen this arrangement, though I imagine it's luggage space
I guess they opted for a luggage space also due to the low head clearance under the straight staircase.
Birmingham (Like London at the time) specified a straight forward-ascending staircase which meant there was no headroom for a wheelarch seat on the offside.
The Salford Daimler fleet from 1950-ish had the same staircase/wheel arch arrangement: leaving the offside wheel arch area for luggage/prams etc., looking the same as on this much-older bus. One of the Salford buses ('511') still exists.
Or, to provide a wider gang-way to walk along?
It was under the staircase, insufficient headroom for a seat.
I’ve seen them on the Alcester rd MAGNIFICENT
What happened to the guy living in the bus?
2:10 Deck-Over Bonnet Motorbus (Streetcar Level & Deck Level) With A Forward Offset (Driver’s Space), If You Half A Cab Of A Bus, You Get An Offset For The Driver
How much of the original bus was kept?
Triggers broom. But then again so are a lot of preserved vehicles.
Absolutely beautiful. I’ve seen many images and a few examples of the Birmingham livery but I’m also blown away by the interior style and colour scheme. What an amazing transformation from the find to the finished rebuild. Well done to all involved.
Beautiful old lady !
Is there anyone out there in TH-cam land currently restoring a bus and giving regular updates? It would be an interesting channel to follow
You might like a channel called Pete and his Bus, which has some interesting content.
I’m surprised they didn’t find Stan Butler and Jack Harper fast asleep upstairs after having parked up at the cemetary gates.
My mother is a similar age and still driving around in her Audi convertible she doesn't need any work
What happened to the person that was living in it .
So I think I'm the 6th person to ask this; what happened to the man who was living in the bus? Does anyone know? It's a glaring omission from the video!
So they found the vehicle but then evicted an old man who was living in it 😮😮. Or did they bring the bus AND the old man back to Birmingham? These are the key questions that need to be asked. Guessing if they did bring him back; it would of been a culture shock for the old miner, swapping the Herts countryside for sleepy old Birmingham 🤔
What happened to the minor that live in side it ?
What about old guy living in bus
The two buses side by side old and new . Well the one on the right was good looking and had character. The one on the left . Modern bus is ugly. My personal opinion .
I would buy it and convert it into a mobile home.
Buy an RV.
Pleased that it's not for sale then.
Spitting strictly forbidden 🤣🤣
Yet! They say diversity is our strength, I don’t think so diversity has come at a great cost to Great Britain……