Bradford 203 - AEC Regent V - ( 6203 KW )

Bradford 204 - AEC Regent V - ( 6204 KW )

6203 KW & 6204 KW :

AEC Regent V Metro-Cammell H40/30F 1964

These two buses are from the same batch as the Museum’s fully restored 220 (6220 KW). These were among 120 AEC Regent Vs bought by Bradford City Transport between 1959 and 1964, numbered 106 to 225.

The 5 buses delivered in 1961 (121-125) were withdrawn in 1972/73 but the remainder transferred to West Yorkshire PTE in 1974, gaining in common with other ex-Bradford buses a 2 prefix to their fleet numbers. They were progressively withdrawn between 1974 and 1978, the last example being 2158, the only one which survived in service into 1978. Most were quickly sold, though 2220 survived as an ancillary vehicle, while 2147 was stored until sold for preservation in 1984. It was subsequently scrapped in 1987.

203, 204 and 205 were sold to the Paul Sykes dealership in March 1976 but were destined to stay in their home city, being acquired in June 1976 by William Byrne, trading as G & D Coaches, of Girlington, Bradford. Details of their careers with G & D are sketchy but it appears they did not enter service immediately and not all three were in use at the same time. It is believed that 203 ran from August 1976 to August 1977; 204 saw use between February and May 1977 only; 205 finally entered service in May 1977. 203 also saw a second period of activity from June 1978 onwards. In  April 1977, the business changed name and became Joyways (Bradford) Ltd. The withdrawal dates for 203 and 205, and the final fate of 205 are unknown, but both 203 and 204 passed to a new owner in October 1979.

That new owner was Denyer Brothers of Stondon Massey, near Brentwood in Essex. The brothers described themselves as commercial vehicles repair specialists and engineers. They also ran buses and coaches, though generally never more than 3 or 4 at any one time. Vehicle purchases fell into one of two categories: run it for a few months and then park it up in the yard, or park it up in the yard and remove some spares. 203 fell into the former category; it entered service in February 1980 and was withdrawn the following year. 204 fell into the latter category, never being actively used by Denyers.

Thus over the years, some 60 to 70 withdrawn and unused vehicles had accumulated in the brothers’ yard. Visits to the yard were strictly forbidden, so the identities of its occupants largely remained a mystery. Enquiries about rescuing vehicles were generally disregarded. By 1995, active bus and coach operation had ceased. Following the death of one of the brothers it became known that the yard was to be cleared and the vehicles were at long last available for sale.

Keighley Bus Museum’s initial interest was the possibility of acquiring seats for other Bradford buses in the collection. But an inspection visit proved that both buses, despite their many years of dereliction, were quite restorable; thus early in 2002, a deal was agreed for the purchase of both vehicles.

Both buses were subsequently towed back to Yorkshire by the Museum’s Foden towing wagon; 204 was the first to arrive in September 2002, followed by 203 two months later. Both will be long term restoration projects and for the time being are displayed as rescued.