1962 Leyland Routemaster Double-decker Bus

Description

1962 Leyland Routemaster Double-decker Bus

Do you need a party bus for your entourage? Are you looking for a unique, rolling advertising opportunity? MotoeXotica Classic Cars has one in the form of this 1962 Leyland Routemaster Double-decker Bus. This rarely seen double decker bus was used locally for advertising of the Stratford Inn and well know in the local St. Louis area, the current signage can easily be removed if so choose.

While this bus’ bones are solid, it is largely original as presented. The top is in nice solid shape but the paint is faded, hard to find these buses with tops intact as many have hit objects and been converted to open top. The red exterior is in satisfactory order but the bodywork is in very good order. It was imported from London, England in 2005, so it is right-hand drive and is one of 2,123 regular-length Routemaster buses made between 1956 and 1968. This model is about 27.5 feet long and can seat up to 64 passengers.

The tires on this bus are in older decent shape while the wheels are in original state. A newer 6.9L six-cylinder diesel engine and three-speed automatic transmission were installed in 2006. It runs and drives and starts easily.

Inside, the driver’s seat cushions will need to be replaced but the passenger seats are in overall good order. This model has cork floors, too. The horn and turn signals are inoperable and there are no keys for the bus, but not needed to start and operate.

The AEC Routemaster is a front-engine, double-decker bus that was designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Park Royal Vehicles. The layout of the vehicle was traditional for the time, with a half-cab, front-mounted engine and open rear platform, although the coach version was fitted with rear platform doors.

The first Routemasters entered service with London Transport in February 1956 and the last were withdrawn from regular service in December 2005, although one heritage route is still operated by Routemasters in central London. The first London bus route to be operated by the Routemaster was route 2, on 8 February 1956, with RM1. The same bus, with a revised front end, appeared at the Lord Mayor's Show in November 1956.

Most Routemasters were built for London Transport, although small numbers were built for British European Airways and the Northern General Transport Company.

A pioneering design, the Routemaster outlasted several of its replacement types in London, survived the privatization of the former London Transport bus operators and was 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 criticized. The open platform, while exposed to the elements, allowed boarding and alighting in places other than official stops; and the presence of a conductor allowed minimal boarding time and optimal security, but with greater labor costs.

Despite the retirement of the original version, the Routemaster has retained iconic status, and is considered a British cultural icon. In 2006, the Routemaster was voted one of Britain’s top 10 design icons which included Concorde, Mini, Supermarine Spitfire, the London tube map, World Wide Web and the K2 telephone box.

This two-level bus would make an excellent rolling billboard for a car dealership, especially one that sells Jaguars, Land Rovers or Mini Coopers. If you’re interested, please stop by MotoeXotica Classic Cars today to check this bus out in person.

VIN: RM1313

This bus is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 80,392 kilometers. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt Missouri title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

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