1957
Alexander C41F-bodied Guy Arab LUFs GA11-20 (JWG 502-11) were delivered to Alexander’s Fife area in April.
Other recent deliveries were 30 AEC Reliances with Alexander bus shells and 41 semi-luxury seats, numbered AC100-29 (JWG 680-709). Thirty-five Leyland Tiger Cubs with similar bodywork were expected later in the year, together with two of the new Albion Aberdonian MR11s, also with 41-seat Alexander bodies.
1967
An early Scottish bus preservation project involved SN 6524, a 1935 Ford BB with 14-seat bodywork by James Martin of Kirkintilloch. It was new as David Lawson 62. It was operated later by MacLachlan, Tayvallich and lay in a farmyard for six years before being rescued for restoration by three Glasgow enthusiasts. It has survived for the past 50 years and is now housed at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Lathalmond.
1977
An era ended when Graham’s Bus Service, Paisley sold its last two Guy Arab double-deckers, having operated 58 over the previous 33 years. G5 (AXS 431), a 1957 Arab IV with Northern Counties H33/28R body, was sold to a Doncaster dealer and G12 (FXS 601), the unique Johannesburg-fronted show model of 1962 with Strachans H37/32RD body, passed to Crawford, Neilston where it remained in GBS orange livery.
1987
On 10 May, Midland Scottish and West Coast Motors exchanged contracts for routes in Oban and Mid-Argyll. The Oban-Easdale and Degnish routes passed to Midland, in return for its routes from Ardrishaig to Inveraray, Kilmory and Oban. Midland’s Ardrishaig depot was sold to West Coast, enabling that company to centralise the former MacDonald & MacLellan operations and the ex-Midland services into one depot. A significant subsidy reduction from Strathclyde PTE resulted.…
