1962 AEC Routemaster Double Decker Bus

For sale by auction on Saturday 08 March 2014 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
A pioneering design. the Routemaster outlasted several of its
replacement types in London. survived the privatisation of the
former London Transport bus operators and was also used by other
operators around the UK. In modern UK public transport bus
operation. the old-fashioned features of the standard Routemaster
were both praised and criticised. The open platform. while exposed
to the elements. allowed boarding and alighting away from stops and
the presence of a conductor allowed minimal boarding time and
optimal security; but with greater labour costs. The Routemaster
became one of London's most famous symbols. with much tourist
paraphernalia continuing to bear Routemaster imagery. and with
examples still in existence around the world.

Rightly and affectionately regarded as a British transport icon the
world over. the Routemaster is quite simply the most famous and
sought after bus ever produced. This example achieved an incredible
41 years in London Transport service before being sold on for
further service and for wedding and private-hire use. It was
delivered new in December 1962 to Tottenham garage and later served
from Hanwell. New Cross and Camberwell garages. London Transport
totally overhauled its Routemasters every four to five years which
is why they remain in such incredible condition some fifty years
on. In 1994 this bus was selected to undergo a very heavy overhaul
and refit which included replacing its original Leyland engine with
a new lower-emission and more efficient Scania engine. In 2007 it
was sold to a shipping company and converted at considerable
expense to its current format as a marketing / exhibition unit. The
interior saloons were beautifully finished. and even the ceilings
were neatly capped. It is wired to take mains electricity. has a
small kitchenette upstairs and side benches to seat plenty of
people. It even comes with outdoor speaker and amplification
equipment. This Routemaster also benefits from a February 2015 MoT. br/>free road tax as it is classed as a historic vehicle. and the bonus
of being able to be driven on a car licence (subject to certain
conditions). Bodily and mechanically it is in exceptional order. As
such. it represents a very rare opportunity to buy an example which
can be used or adapted for further hospitality / promotional use. br/>or even returned to standard bus format as the parts for these
wonderful vehicles are easily available via a well established and
enthusiastic owners club.



Also published at eBay.co.uk

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