Surviving Double-deck Buses converted to Single-Deck Service Vehicles

Last updated 27 April 2008

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As an "Annex" to my listing of Surviving Single-deck Halfcabs, this is a list of all known British double-deck front-engined buses converted to single-deck service vehicles, tow trucks, and other odd things. I have not included double-deck chassis that were actually built as single-deck vehicles, only those converted to single-deck non-PSV use. It's a new project, so is bound to be incomplete. Please send me any corrected information you may have about the list, or examples not shown below, and let's see how long the list gets ! By the way, the colour scheme is meant to represent the livery of Eastern Counties.

To set the scene, here is former Portsmouth 114, a 1958 Leyland PD2/40 originally registered ORV 991, but now GSU 678 in its new guise as a tow vehicle. It is seen here in the late 1990s at Exmouth bus station, but has since fallen on hard times - see the list below for a more recent picture. The photo was kindly supplied by Kevin Staddon.

The listing is arranged in order of (1) Chassis manufacturer, (2) Chassis model, (3) Original operator in alphabetical order. Then each entry shows original operator, original fleet number, subsequent owners / fleet numbers if applicable, chassis type, chassis number in brackets {__} if known, body type (and age if different from chassis age), body number in brackets {__} if known, chassis build date, registration number, ownership details.

Abbreviations are listed at the end. The bodywork abbreviations are in the standard format, i.e. 'B', 'C' or 'DP' (for Bus, Coach or Dual-Purpose), followed by the seating capacity, then by the door position 'F', 'C', 'R' or 'D' (for Front, Centre, Rear or Dual). The prefix 'U' means a wartime Utility body, 'F' means a full-front, and 'O' means Open Top. 'RV', of course, means 'Recovery Vehicle'.

For the latest additions (i.e. a vehicle that was always around, but I've only just found out about it !) look for thesymbol.  For any significant information updates see the  symbol.

Entries with links from the registration number (or with links crediting a photographer) will connect to a photograph of the vehicle elsewhere on this site, or to information on another site.

Original Operator / Fleet Nbr. / Chassis / Body / Age / Registration / Owner

AEC (23 Vehicles)

Original Operator / Fleet Nbr. / Chassis / Body / Age / Registration / Last Known Owner

BMMO (5 Vehicles)

Original Operator / Fleet Nbr. / Chassis / Body / Age / Registration / Last Known Owner

BRISTOL (5 Vehicles)

Original Operator / Fleet Nbr. / Chassis / Body / Age / Registration / Last Known Owner

CROSSLEY (2 Vehicles)

Original Operator / Fleet Nbr. / Chassis / Body / Age / Registration / Last Known Owner

DAIMLER (6 Vehicles)

Original Operator / Fleet Nbr. / Chassis / Body / Age / Registration / Last Known Owner

DENNIS (1 Vehicle)

Original Operator / Fleet Nbr. / Chassis / Body / Age / Registration / Last Known Owner

GUY (3 Vehicles)

Original Operator / Fleet Nbr. / Chassis / Body / Age / Registration / Last Known Owner

LEYLAND (30 Vehicles)

GRAND TOTAL OF 75 VEHICLES

Please email me if you spot one of my mistakes (or even if you don't !).

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