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GUY Arab II - G 351 Date: 1945 Registration: HGC 130 Acquired by Museum: 1980 Current State: Fully restored, operational During World War 2, new buses had to be built to replace those destroyed. Because of the shortage of materials, however, the bus builders had to find ways of building adequate buses from low grade components. These so called "utility" vehicles were built to strict specifications issued by the Ministry of Supply, which maintained a firm grip on bus building as on so many other industrial activities. One such utility bus was G351, which was actually built just after the war ended, but before restrictions were fully withdrawn. The overall result is a very angular shape, to cut down on the number of manufacturing operations needed. The frame is of wood covered with steel panels just like most buses of the period. Utility buses were often built of virtually unseasoned timber and as a result only lasted a short time in service. Nonetheless, they were sufficiently well built to tide the operators over until the war was over and more normal bus bodies could be acquired. G 351 entered service with London Transport in February 1946 at Upton Park garage in east London and stayed there until withdrawal in 1952 remaining in store at a yard until April 1953. It was subsequently sold to bus dealer W North of Leeds who resold it to Burton Corporation in November 1953 and became No 70 in their fleet. It joined five similar vehicles, being finally withdrawn at the beginning of 1967. Obtained for preservation in mid 1967 by Mr J Lines, the bus is the only remaining example of 435 wartime utility London buses. The vehicle was restored to London Transport livery in the 1970s, and rallied for a time, until the state of the bodywork forced the vehicle to be retired from active preservation. Donated to the Museum in 1980, it has just finished a full restoration which has taken it back its appearance when new. The restoration was carried out in two parts, with the chassis and body being separated to aid the restoration process. With the help of the Science Museums 'Prism' fund, the restoration was finished in 2005. Chassis: Guy Arab II Body: Park Royal H30/26R Engine: Gardner 5LW diesel with manual gearbox Vehicle Classification: 2/3G8/2 Date into service: 1945 Date of withdrawal: 1952

The London Bus Preservation Trust Ltd, Redhill Road, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 1EF Tel. 01932 868665

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