1950s PRIVATE SECTOR SINGLE-DECKER BUS

Reg No: WDF 569 - new 1959
Operator: Soudley Valley Coaches
Chassis: Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1
Engine: Leyland 0350 5.76 litre diesel
Gearbox: Crash
Body: Willowbrook 41 seats

The 1950s and 60s saw most of England’s bus fleets in the hands of town and city councils, or one of two groups of company operators. One group was the British Transport Commission, state-owned and requiring its fleets to purchase Bristol/ECW vehicles. The other was the British Electric Traction Federation (BET) which sold out to the state in 1967. BET operators had freedom in bus buying, including Midland Red which built its own. Nevertheless the BET did have a standard design of single-deck bus body and its operators could enjoy the price advantage of bulk orders.

Independent bus companies outside the big groups were generally tiny and operated in thin areas. Many survived on secondhand buses but some did buy new, however, and Bevan Bros (Soudley Valley Coaches) of Soudley, Cinderford, Gloucestershire, added this Leyland Tiger Cub with Willowbrook BET-style bodywork to its fleet in May 1959. The Tiger Cub was a lightweight chassis launched by Leyland in 1952 to counter criticism that the Royal Tiger was too heavy and thirsty. Over 4500 Tiger Cubs were built by 1970, by which time the model was being overtaken by the even more successful Leopard chassis.

WDF 569 generally spent its 20 year service life quietly running into Cinderford and Gloucester although its seats were fitted with headrests for private hire. In good condition when received by the Museum in September 1980, the bus was stored until restoration started, being completed in 2000.

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