STANDARD BIRMINGHAM CORPORATION BUS 1934-39

Reg No: CVP 207 - new 1937
Chassis: Daimler COG5
Engine: Gardner 5LW 7 litre diesel
Gearbox: Preselective
Body: Metro-Cammell 54 seats (1939) (to operator’s design)
OWNED BY THE 1685 GROUP

Birmingham Corporation was first attracted to Daimler buses because of the preselective gearbox. This allowed the driver to select the next gear in advance (engaging it when required by dipping the foot pedal normally associated with the clutch) and thus change gear whilst keeping both hands on the wheel - useful when pulling out from a stop or turning corners. Moreover the ‘clutch’ pedal did not have to be depressed when creeping in traffic, saving the driver a lot of effort in congestion - a preselective bus should not stall. After a trial delivery of ten with petrol engines, a further batch in 1934 had Gardner diesel engines. The Gardner became renowned for its reliability and frugality. The combination suited Birmingham Corporation well and a fleet of around 800 had been purchased by the outbreak of war in 1939.

1107 entered service in November 1937. The citizens of Birmingham were able to ride in a comfortable, well-upholstered vehicle with noise and vibration minimised by Daimler’s flexible engine mountings and moquette covered interior panels. 1107 spent many of its earlier years at Perry Barr garage and, of course, worked very hard through the Second World War. Chassis and bodies were often separated during overhaul in the 1940s due to the degree of repair required by bodies through wartime neglect. In this process, 1107 eventually received the 1939 body originally fitted to Daimler 1216. 1107 ran from several garages in the early ’50s, being stored after new buses were received and returned to the road during successive tram to bus conversions. It became a snow plough in 1954 but luckily was one of a handful resurrected when services were taken over from Midland Red in 1957-8. 1107 finally retired at the end of 1959 from Moseley Road garage and passed to a dealer. It failed to sell yet escaped being scrapped. In July 1964 Barry Ware had the foresight to take the then unusual step of buying 1107 for preservation, thus ensuring this important period of Birmingham’s transport history was saved. It was soon restored to original appearance. It has been cared for by the 1685 Group since 1971 and re-restored in 1987.

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