Yesterday's Buses

AEC, Bristol, Crossley, Daimler, Dennis, Leyland and others were all manufacturers of passenger vehicle chassis which could be seen throughout the country in the years following the end of World War Two. They produced a wide range of double deck and single deck buses and coaches, bodied by a considerable number of body builders.

With the exception of Dennis, all those chassis makers have now disappeared, along with nearly all the body builders. In addition, most operators of this variety of vehicles are no longer in existence, being primarily absorbed into larger operations.

This book can only give a small indication of the major role Steve and his Quantock Heritage fleet have played in preserving not only part of the engineering history of this country, but its effect also on social history. In practical terms he has displayed this by enabling the general public to see, enjoy, and also use vehicles of a bygone era.

200 b/w illustrations

About the Authors

Steve Morris and the two authors of this book, Cliff Marsh and Peter Snowden, grew up during this time of vast changes in the road passenger transport industry. Steve's interest in vehicles of that period springs from his childhood in Stoke-on Trent, an area which at that time saw smaller operators with their wide variety of vehicles being absorbed into the major operator in that area, Potteries Motor Traction. Later, in his professional life as a Hydraulic Engineer, he would frequently travel to all parts of the country, becoming aware of the dispersal of elderly vehicles from larger operators to smaller ones, contractors, and even scrapyards.

Peter Snowden began to develop in his youth a strong interest in the history of vehicles and their operators covering the period from the 1930's through to the 1960's.

Cliff Marsh clearly remembers the pre-war vehicles still operating in the post World War Two era and the influx of new vehicles, many bought to replace diminishing tram systems. Both have been involved with Steve and his Heritage Fleet for many years, helping with restoration, driving the finished products, locating potential restoration projects and researching their history. Over the years they have seen well over 130 vehicles join the Heritage fleet.