Hull Bus Restorers was formed in August 2007 to restore their first bus. We are a group of 4 (Alistair, Mark, Phil and Sean). The first bus to be restored is ex Kingston upon Hull Corporation Transport's 180. It is GAT 180D, a 1966 Roe B44D bodied Leyland Panther bus. The second bus acquired for preservation is ex East Yorkshire's 188. It is LAG 188V, a 1980 Leyland National 2.
All work underneath the bus has been completed. Both offside springs have been replaced with new ones, the engine and gearbox has been serviced and the whole chassis has been painted in silver Hammerite. Work can now start on the bodywork and painting. When the bus was in service with KHCT it was used to transport passengers to and from North Sea Ferries at King George Dock in Hull. To aid this it has special seats in the front of the saloon that fold up to store suitcases of the passengers. The bus also had the flags of the UK, Netherlands and North Sea Ferries on the roof. Authentic flags have been manufactured by Hi-Fliers of Hull and are pictured below.
The chassis is now completely painted and the troublesome offside springs have both been replaced. Six new 11R22.5 Michelin tyres have been fitted to the bus in readiness for its MOT. It is hoped that painting of the bus will be completed next week. The azure blue paint has been purchased from T&R Williamsons of Ripon. This has ensured the correct shade is achieved as they used to supply KHCT and fellow bus restorers have had the code secured on the mixing computers. The pictures below show the underside of the bus, now that it has been completed.
Our aim is to have the bus fully restored for the East Coast Run on Sunday 8th June 2008.
The countdown below shows how long we have left!
***** It is with regret that we must inform you that the bus is unlikely to be finished in time for the East Coast Run. Please check back to the website before coming to see us, as we will publish here whether the bus will be attending. *****
Site last updated: 11th May 2008
