What Model and Spare Parts?

[Deleted]

Hello,

I have the opportunity to make an offer on the London bus shown here –

www.dropbox.com/s/55u396roku62sq9/bus.jpg?dl=0

I really need some expert advice, as I can’t obtain any additional information apart from the photos at this stage –

1/ What model is it? I have done a lot of searching and the closest one I can find is a Bristol LFL. Could someone confirm if I am correct and perhaps suggest a year range?

2/ When I get access to the vehicle, where can I find the chassis/body number plate (exact location on vehicle)?

3/ The Routemasters seem to be a real collectors model, how does the Bristol LFL compare? Why are Routemasters so popular (and expensive)?

4/ With my limited mechanical knowledge, I assume the engine is a diesel but would be interested to know the maker, size, etc. Is there any way to tell if it is a Gardner, Leyland, etc. by looking at my photo?

5/ Am I going to be able to find spare parts or are they very scares and expensive? We will probably use it in a static situation (not on the road) but would like to get it going again one day.

6/ It is pretty run down with patches of rust but does anyone know a reasonable price to offer based on the photos?

7/ If it were restored to reasonable condition, what would it be worth?

8/ Would most people say it looks more like a scrap job than a restorer? What should I be really careful to inspect once I am given the opportunity?

Thank you.

[RM5chris]

Well I can tell you that it is not a London Bus - it is a Bristol Lodekka that were quite common in the 1950s and 1960s everywhere else! Looks like you have here either an FSF or FLF model.

These were popular to buy as they were of a lower overall height than a normal bus. The Routemaster is a bit more advanced in construction than the Lodekka (this has a chassis whereas the Routemaster has A and B frames) however they are fairly solid beasts! Different engine options were available over its production life (Bristol, Gardner, Leyland) and manual or semi-automatic gearboxes.

My advice is that buying a bus is the easy part! Storage, repairs, restoration, upkeep and diesel will just eat your funds! That said, if you have somewhere secure to keep it, have the time and funds to restore it as a runner - good luck! I would also say if you intend to seriously look at buying, inspect the bus with somebody familiar with the type or similar vintage buses as they will know what to look for with regards to potential problems.

[snoggle]

I can't answer your questions directly but I do have an observation to make. I trust you won't be offended but you seem to be keen to take on what looks like a difficult bus with very little knowledge as to what is involved. You may find that the bus is incapable of moving and even attempting to put it on a low loader may cause it to fall to bits or at least parts of it to rot away etc. Once you've handed over the money then it's your vehicle to deal with if there are any such problems. I would also echo Chris's comments about secure weatherproof storage etc - depending on where you are that may be difficult / expensive and it's a cost that runs on until you can use it in static form.

I would very strongly suggest that you try to contact people in the preservation world ideally with experience of Bristol vehicles. There are a number of such buses that are preserved and they should be able to assist. You may also be able to find some help from Ensignbus who buy and sell vehicles and have a good fleet of preserved vehicles themselves but no Lodekkas. You may also wish to consider contacting Stagecoach East, I think at either Cambridge or Peterborough, as they have 2 preserved Lodekkas. I guess the issue with them will be finding the right person and if they're willing to help given they have a business to run.

List of preserved Bristol Lodekkas As you can see there are a lot of buses in various states of preservation on the list plus some names that you can try contacting. Good luck!

[twobellstogo]

Snoggle's advice is excellent, and I can't add further, but regarding the actual vehicle in question here, it's definitely a Bristol Lodekka FLF, and the front destination display suggests it's new to one of Eastern Counties, Crosville, Hants & Dorset, Wilts & Dorset, Western National, Southern National or United Automobile : these were, as far as I'm aware, the only operators to have that style of destination display on their Lodekka FLFs.

[Deleted]

Thank you for your suggestions, they got me thinking a bit more.

Especially -

You may find that the bus is incapable of moving and even attempting to put it on a low loader may cause it to fall to bits or at least parts of it to rot away etc.

I have years of construction experience on new and restoration housing/commercial projects so I have a lot of tools and are capable of putting in the hours. I realize that restoring a bus is a bit different but really want to give it a try. The cosmetics doesn't worry me at all but I may need to call in a professional for any major structural problems (like mentioned above) and engine mechanics.

Further advice/warnings/etc. would be most welcomed.

I would appreciate it if someone could tell me where I can find the chassis/body number plate (exact location on vehicle)?

Thank you.

[twobellstogo]

If the previous owners haven't removed it, a Bristol/Eastern Coach Works chassis/body plate should be found on the staircase panel downstairs, to the left of the staircase as you look at it. Dare I say, I hope you have a Western National vehicle : I remember seeing these on childhood holidays in the past...

[Deleted]

Thanks for the location. I found it on the right side of the staircase.

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