Bristol Lodekka FLF/ECW (1967): GDL768-771E GDL815-816E [613-618]

Technical & History Briefing
Chassis: Bristol Lodekka FLF6G				Body: ECW Series 2
Registration Mark	Fleet No.	Type	Chassis Number	Body Number	Date New	Date Withdrawn
Registration Mark	Other Owners
GDL768E	[613]	H38/32F	236038	16209	12/1966	09/1983
GDL768E	05/1984: North, Sherburn in Elmet (dealer) 07/1984: Stagecoach [80], Perth 01/1987: Magicbus [080], Glasgow 04/1987: Stagecoach [080], Perth ??/1992: Stagecoach Grayline [2002], Toronto, Canada ??/1995: Greyhound Canada [2002], Calgary, Alberta, Canada
GDL769E	[614]	H38/32F	236039	16210	12/1966	09/1983
GDL769E	05/1984: North, Sherburn in Elmet (dealer) 08/1984: Stagecoach [81], Perth 01/1987: Magicbus [081], Glasgow 04/1987: Stagecoach [081], Perth ??/1992: Stagecoach Grayline [2001], Toronto, Canada 03/1993: McKeil Marine, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 09/2002: noted in Toronto Docks (owner unknown), Canada by 04 Apr. 2004: unknown owner, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
GDL770E	[615]	H38/32F	236040	16211	01/1967	10/1982
GDL770E	around 08/1983: Omnibus Promotions, London (dealer) 04/1984: British Promotions, Norfolk, Virginia, USA ??/????: Red Top Coaches, Arlington, Virginia, USA by 04/1992: Gateway Tours [3], New York, USA by 11/2001: Gateway Tours [3], Miami, Florida, USA - noted For Sale 03/2004
GDL771E Scrapped	[616]	H38/32F	236041	16212	01/1967	09/1983
GDL771E Scrapped	05/1984: North, Sherburn in Elmet (dealer) 06/1984: Stagecoach [82], Perth 01/1987: Magicbus [082], Glasgow 04/1987: Stagecoach [082], Perth
GDL815E	[617]	H38/32F	236046	16213	01/1967	09/1982
GDL815E	around 08/1983: Omnibus Promotions, London (dealer) 10/1983: Halifax Double Deck Tours, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada 10/1987: Alive & Well, Markham, Ontario, Canada around 11/1990: Derrick Arnold, Norwood, Ontario, Canada (dealer) 03/1993: Al Parkhurst Transportation, Belleville, Ontario, Canada 12/1996: Central Ontario Auto. Hist. Soc., Kingston, Ontario, Canada 01/2002: Lady Dive Tours, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - noted out of service 09/2005
GDL816E	[618]	H38/32F	236047	16214	01/1967	09/1983
GDL816E	05/1984: North, Sherburn in Elmet (dealer) 06/1984: Stagecoach (Gloagtrotter) [083], Perth 01/1987: Magicbus (Scotland) Ltd. [083], Glasgow 04/1987: Stagecoach [083], Perth date unknown: Stagecoach Scotland Ltd. [083] 01/1992: Stagecoach Grayline [2003], Toronto, Canada around 1995: Greyhound Lines [2003], Toronto, Canada ??/????: Grey Line [2003], Victoria, Canada by 08/2001: Grey Line [2003], Vancouver, Canada - noted out of use by 06/2006

Detailed History

Six Bristol Lodekka FLF6G's, with ECW bodywork, were bought new by Southern Vectis in December 1966 / January 1967 which entered service in Tilling Green & Cream livery. This batch differed from the previous FLF's delivered in 1965 in that they did not feature the beading below the upper-deck windows, an area that consisted of a cream band outlined in black, neither did the buses feature this narrower cream band. The drivers windscreen gasket consisted of cream rubber, rather than crome used on earlier Lodekkas. The rear route indicator was inverted, ie. route number above the destination.

During the summer season of 1968 GDL815E [617] carried the Ryde Borough Crest to commemorate the town's centenary.

They were repainted into National Bus Company Leaf Green & White livery in:
October 1974: GDL768E [613]
December 1974: GDL769E [614]
February 1975: GDL815E [617]
August 1975: GDL816E [618]
October 1975: GDL770E [615]
November 1975: GDL771E [616]

They were withdrawn in:
September 1982: GDL815E [617]
October 1982: GDL770E [615]
September 1983: GDL768E [613] / GDL769E [614] / GDL771E [616] & GDL816E [618]

Subsequent History

GDL768E [613]:

In May 1984 it was sold to North of Sherburn in Elmet (dealer).
In July 1984 it was sold to Stagecoach of Perth and entered service as their number [80].
In January 1987 it operated with Magicbus of Glasgow as their number [080].
In April 1987 it was back with Stagecoach of Perth operating as their number [080].
In late 1991 it was converted to offside entrance, in preparation for export to Canada, by East Midland Motor Services.
In 1992 it was exported to Canada and operated with Stagecoach Grayline of Toronto as their number [2002].
Around 1995 it was sold to Greyhound Canada Transportation Corporation operating as their number [2002], being based in Calgary, Alberta.

GDL769E [614]:

In May 1984 it was sold to North of Sherburn in Elmet (dealer).
In August 1984 it was sold to Stagecoach of Perth and operated as their number [81].
In January 1987 it operated with Magicbus of Glasgow as their number [081].
In April 1987 it was back with Stagecoach of Perth operating as their number [081].
During late 1991 it was converted to offside entrance (H38/29C), for export to Canada, by East Midland Motor Services.
In April 1992 it was exported to Canada and was acquired and operated by Stagecoach Grayline of Toronto, Canada, as their number [2001]. During this time it carried Ontario licence plate BF5 347.
In March 1993 it passed to McKeil Marine of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Still in the ex-Stagecoach livery it was noted being towed away from McKeil Marine on 24 August 2002 and was noted in the Toronto Docks area by 23 September 2002. [per Paul A. Bateson]
On 4 April 2004 it was noted in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada in Open-Top form on the property of Cushman Steel. It is thought to be owned by The Bus & Boat Company Inc. of Toronto. [per Paul A. Bateson]

GDL770E [615]:

Around August 1983 it was sold to Omnibus Promotions of London (dealer).
In April 1984 it was exported to British Promotions of Norfolk, Virginia, USA and was subsequently sold to Red Top Coaches of Arlington, Virginia.
By April 1992 it was with Gateway Tours Inc. of New York, USA, as their fleet number [3].
By November 2001 it had been transferred to Gateway Tours operation in Miami, Florida, USA as their fleet number [3]. It was noted For Sale by 4 March 2004.

GDL771E [616]:

In in May 1984 it was sold to North of Sherburn in Elmet (dealer).
In June 1984 it was sold to Stagecoach of Perth and operated as their number [82].
In January 1987 it operated with Magicbus of Glasgow as their number [082].
In April 1987 it was back with Stagecoach of Perth operating as their number [082].
In 1990 it was sold for scrap, after accident damage.

GDL815E [617]:

Around August 1983 it was sold to Omnibus Promotions of London (dealer).
In October 1983 it was exported to Canada and was acquired and operated by Halifax Double Deck Tours of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and carried Nova Scotia licence plate number 23 419C.
In October 1987 it passed to Alive & Well Inc. of Markham, Ontario, Canada, and carried Ontario licence plate number BE6 319.
Around November 1990 it passed to Derrick Arnold of Norwood, Ontario, Canada (dealer).
Around 1991 it was sold to Seaboyer's of Havelock, Ontario, Canada.
In March 1993 it was sold to Al Parkhurst Transportation Ltd. of Belleville, Ontario, Canada and carried Ontario licence plate number BF3 008.
In December 1996 it passed to The Central Ontario Automotive Historical Society Inc. of Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
In January 2002 it was sold to Lady Dive Tours of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. [per Roger Hardy]
During September 2005 it was noted out of use with an engine defect near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. [per Paul Bateson / Geoffrey Lydate]

GDL816E [618]:

In May 1984 it was sold to North of Sherburn in Elmet (dealer).
In June 1984 it was sold to Stagecoach (Gloagtrotter) of Perth and operated as their number [083].
In January 1987 it operated with Magicbus (Scotland) Ltd. of Glasgow as their number [083].
In April 1987 it operated with Stagecoach of Perth as their number [083].
At an unknown date it operated with Stagecoach Scotland Ltd. as their number [083].
During November 1991 it was converted to offside entrance, for export to Canada, by East Midland Motor Services.
In January 1992 it was exported to Canada and was acquired and operated by Stagecoach Grayline of Toronto, Canada, operating as their number [2003].
Around 1995 it passed to Greyhound Lines of Toronto, Canada. It was refurbished at Calgary, returning to Toronto on 8 April 1998, operating as their number [2003]. It operated at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Burlington, Ontario, during 1998 & 1999. It was still noted with Greyhound Lines until 18 May 2000. [per Paul A. Bateson]
It was subsequently transferred to Gray Line of Victoria. [per Roger Hardy]
During August 2001 it was noted not in service at Gray Line Vancouver yard. [per Ron Taylor]
On 25 March 2002 it was noted freshly repainted at Gray Line's Victoria Depot (at Glanford Avenue). Being based at Vancouver it was used on the Seattle Tour.
During June 2006 it was noted out of use at Gray Line Victoria yard (click here for photo). [per Phil Groocock]

Photo Selection

A nearside-front view of GDL768E [613] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery in South Street, Newport, on 28 July 1982.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

An offside-front view of GDL768E [613], two months before withdrawal, in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport on 27 July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

An offside-front view of GDL768E whilst with Stagecoach (as their [080]) pauses in Dunkeld during August 1988.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]

A nearside-front view of GDL768E on arrival at Toronto Docks, Canada, during May 1992.
[photo copyright of Ray Soper]

A front-profile view of GDL769E [614] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery entering Ryde Bus Station on the Sunday of the Queen's Silver Jubilee Fleet Review weekend in July 1977.
[photo copyright of Michael Taylor]

A nearside-front view of GDL769E [614] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Ryde Bus Station during August 1983.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]

An offside-front view of GDL769E with McKeil Marine Limited in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on 28 July 2000 and still in Stagecoach Gray Coach livery in which it was purchased by McKeil. To the right of this picture can be seen KDL145F.
[photo copyright of Roger Hardy]

Roger Hardy & Paul Bateson have a site dedicated to British Buses Abroad in North America

A nearside-front view of GDL770E [615], when new, in Tilling Green & Cream livery at Newport Bus Station on 27 March 1967. Note the absence of the upper cream band, which are a feature of the other double deckers in this photograph.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

An offside-front view of GDL770E [615] in the later NBC Leaf Green & White livery at East Street, Newport 1 June 1982. This site is now part of the Coppins Bridge roundabout.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

As Gateway Tours Inc. (New York, USA) number [3], a front-profile view of GDL770E (on the left of the photograph) at their Long Island City yard, Queens, on 20 January 2000.
[photo copyright of Alex Hall]

A nearside-front view of GDL771E [616] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery (with early style NBC Symbol) at Shanklin Bus Station during June 1975.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]

A nearside-front view of GDL771E [616] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport Bus Station on 30 June 1983.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

GDL771E subsequently operated with Stagecoach (as their [082]). A nearside-front view at their Spitalfield yard in August 1987.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]

A nearside-front view of GDL815E with The Central Ontario Automotive Historical Society Inc. of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. This picture was actually taken at Belleville on 13 June 2001. It was repainted Red in 1997.
[photo copyright of Roger Hardy]

Roger Hardy & Paul Bateson have a site dedicated to British Buses Abroad in North America

A nearside-front view of GDL815E with Lady Dive Tours of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada during 2002.
[photo copyright of John Law]

An offside-front view of GDL816E [618], in Tilling Green with White band, Grey wheels and early style NBC fleetnames, at Shanklin Bus Station during June 1975.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]

A nearside-front view of GDL816E [618] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Ryde Esplanade on 30 August 1983.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

An offside-front view of GDL816E whilst with Stagecoach of Perth, sometime during the 1980's.
[photo copyright of Stuart Macrae]

A nearside-front view of GDL816E with Greyhound Lines of Toronto, Canada, during January 1999.
[photo copyright of Roger Hardy]

Roger Hardy & Paul Bateson have a site dedicated to British Buses Abroad in North America

An offside-front view of GDL816E with Gray Line of Vancouver, Canada, on 17 September 2001. In this view the offside entrance door conversion (that was made prior to export to Canada) can be clearly seen.
[photo copyright of Roger Hardy]

Roger Hardy & Paul Bateson have a site dedicated to British Buses Abroad in North America

Following repaint an offside-rear view of GDL816E in Seattle with Gray Line of Victoria, Canada, during March 2002.
[photo copyright of John Athey]

An internal view of the lower-deck of GDL816E in Seattle with Gray Line of Victoria, Canada, during March 2002.
[photo copyright of John Athey]

Information on all surviving Bristol Lodekka's is available from The Bristol VR Enthusiasts' Society

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