Three Bristol K6A's, one with Park Royal five-bay bodywork and two-aperture type "B" destination screen at the front only (DDL759 [705]) and two with Duple five-bay bodywork and a large single-aperture destination screen at the front only (DDL764 [706] & DDL765 [707]) built to Ministry of Supply utility specification and AEC 6-cylinder 7.7 litre diesel engine were bought new by Southern Vectis during 1945.

DDL688 [704] was delivered new in overall Brown Primer. It is most likely that DDL759 [705] / DDL764 [706] & DDL765 [707] were delivered new in an overall Grey livery (which made them less conspicuous to enemy aircraft during the second world war) although they may have been delivered in Apple Green & Cream livery, DDL759 [705] was noted in this livery during 1945 (and after the war).

At some stage during, or after, 1946 at least some of them including DDL688 [704] & DDL765 [707] were repainted into Tilling Green & Cream livery.

In 1953:

• DDL759 [705] / DDL764 [706] & DDL765 [707] were fitted with replacement Gardner 5LW diesel engine's,
• All four of them were fitted with PV2 low radiators,
• All four received new five-bay ECW L27/28R bodies (similar to those featured on [738-739] delivered in 1950) with three-aperture type "F" destination screens front & rear, full length luggage racks were fitted above the nearside seats in the lower saloon (resembling the protrusion of the upper saloon gangway on the offside) as they were used on rail replacement services and became known as type LB within Southern Vectis.
• The original bodies were sold in 1952, one of which was reported with Joliffe of Somerton (dealer) in 1953.

Between September 1956 and 1960 the "VIA" destination screens were disused and phased-out, being set to display "SOUTHERN VECTIS".

In 1967 all four were withdrawn from service.

Subsequent History

DDL688 [704]:

• In May 1967 it was sold to North of Sherburn in Elmet (dealer).
• In June 1967 it was sold to J. Johnson t/a Johnson's Coaches of Wyke.
• In September 1968 it was sold to Blamires of Bradford (dealer).
• In December 1968 it was sold to Jackson of Bradford (dealer).

DDL759 [705]:

• In May 1967 it was sold to North of Sherburn in Elmet (dealer).
• During 1968 it was sold to George's Coaches Ltd. of Kirkburton.
• Also during 1968 it passed to Trevor Ward & Son (1968) Ltd. of Kirkburton.
• In September 1968 it was sold back to North of Sherburn in Elmet (dealer).

DDL764 [706]:

• In May 1967 it was sold to North of Sherburn in Elmet (dealer).
• During 1968 it was sold to George's Coaches Ltd. of Kirkburton.
• Also during 1968 it passed to Trevor Ward & Son (1968) Ltd. of Kirkburton.
• In September 1968 it was sold back to North of Sherburn in Elmet (dealer).
• In December 1968 it was sold to Jackson of Bradford (dealer) for scrap.

DDL765 [707]:

• During January & Feburary 1968 it was used as a staff rest room during redecoration at Ryde Esplanade.
• In March 1968 it was sold to Jefferis of Hedge End (dealer).
• by December 1968 it had been sold to Foster-Wheeler of London NW (as goods).
• by August 1969 it had been sold back to Jefferis of Hedge End (dealer).
• In July 1970 it was sold to KC Commercials of Southampton (dealer)

An offside-front view of DDL759 after it had been withdrawn and sold at Kirkburton during 1968.
[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 DDL765 [707] in Tilling Green & Cream livery at Newport Bus Station during August 1964.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

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