Guy Arab/Strachans (1942-1943): BRD754/BRD816 [900-901]

Technical & History Briefing
Chassis: Guy Arab 1				Body: Strachans
Registration Mark	Fleet No.	Type	Chassis Number	Body Number	Date New	Current Livery or Date Withdrawn
	Other Owners
BRD754 Scrapped	[700] previously [900]	L27/28R	FD25595	n/a	11/1942	11/1955
	11/1942: Reading Corporation, Reading [6] 03/1950: Thomas, Wells (dealer) 03/1950: MJ Wavell (Enterprise Bus Service), Newport, IW 06/1951: Southern Vectis [900] 01/1956: A.M.C.C., London, E15 (dealer) date unknown: R.J. Bleanch, Hetton-Le-Hole - withdrawn 1960
Chassis: Guy Arab 2				Body: Strachans
BRD816 Scrapped	[701] previously [901]	L27/28R	FD25857	n/a	05/1943	11/1955
	05/1943: Reading Corporation, Reading [28] 03/1950: Thomas, Wells (dealer) 03/1950: MJ Wavell (Enterprise Bus Service), Newport, IW 06/1951: Southern Vectis [901] 01/1956: A.M.C.C., London, E15 (dealer) 1956: J.P. Williamson, Gauldry 04/1957: Autodrome (Engineers) Ltd., Audenshaw 1958: Everall, Wolverhampton (dealer) - scrapped 03/1959

Detailed History

Two Guy Arab lowbridge double-decker buses with five-bay Stachans bodywork (built to Ministry of Supply utility specification) featuring a limited number of half-drop side windows, angular rear dome panels, front vents to each saloon and single-aperture type "A" destination screen at the front only (featuring an advertising panel above it) and five-cylinder Gardner 5LW 7-litre Diesel engines were acquired during 1951 following the takeover of M.J. Wavell t/a Enterprise Bus Service.

BRD754 & BRD816 were new to Reading Corporation in November 1942 & May 1943 operating as their fleet numbers [6] & [28] respectively.
In March 1950 BRD754 & BRD816 were sold to Thomas of Wells (dealer), possibly via. Beech of Hanley (dealer).
Also during March 1950 BRD754 & BRD816 were sold to M.J. Wavell t/a Enterprise Bus Service.

In June 1951 BRD754 & BRD816 passed to Southern Vectis being numbered [900] & [901] respectively.

BRD754 [900] & BRD816 [901] became known as the "Flying Birds" because of their relatively high speed, although drivers did suffer from an uncomfortable driving position.

Around October 1955 BRD754 [900] & BRD816 [901] were renumbered [700] & [701] respectively.

In November 1955 BRD754 [700] & BRD816 [701] were withdrawn from service.

Subsequent History

BRD754 [900] / [700]:

In January 1956 it was sold to A.M.C.C. of London, E15, (dealer).
It subsequently passed to R.J. Bleanch of Hetton-Le-Hole.
In 1960 it was withdrawn.

BRD816 [901] / [701]:

In January 1956 it was sold to A.M.C.C. of London, E15, (dealer).
During 1956 it was sold to J.P. Williamson of Gauldry.
In April 1957 it was sold to Autodrome (Engineers) Ltd. of Audenshaw.
During 1958 it was sold to Everall of Wolverhampton (dealer).
In March 1959 it was scrapped.

Photo Selection

A nearside-front view of BRD754 [900] in Tilling Green and Cream livery outside the SVOC Company office in St. James Square, Newport, during the early 1950's (probably 1953).
[photo copyright of Kenneth Smith]

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