1954 AEC REGENT III
Vehicle Background:
In 1950, patronage on public transport began to decline, realising this, the Department of Road Transport & Tramways (D.R.T. & T.), decided to institute some economies of operation. The drawing office was instructed to prepare a design for a small single deck bus. The design specification required the bus to be driver only operated. Furthermore, the new vehicles when delivered, were to be used on lightly trafficked routes and for the replacement of existing pre war half-cab and wartime 'austerity' single deck buses. Most of these vehicles had seen extensive use during the war years and were worn out. The design featured modern ideas such as 'standee' windows, air operated doors and full width body fronts. However, the traditional exposed radiator was retained. The vehicles were designed to carry only 54 passengers (31 seated and 23 standing). The bodies were built by Commonwealth Engineering, Granville, Sydney, N.S.W.
During the period from 1951 to 1954, a total of 120 small single deck bodies were constructed on Leyland OPS2/1, A.E.C. Regal III and Daimler CVG6SD chassis. Use of these buses over this period had proved to be successful. By early 1953, the last 100 conventional front engined rear platform double deck bus bodies had been completed. Later that year the Department issued the edict that there would be no more double deck buses placed into service. However, the Department still had 52 chassis double deck chassis on hand, comprising 34 Leyland OPD2/1 and 18 A.E.C. Regent III. These chassis had been in store for two to three years. In 1954, the Department made the decision to body these double deck chassis as single deck buses. This group of 52 vehicles had modified bodies, closely resembling those on the under floor engined AEC Regal IV and Leyland Royal Tiger buses, then being issued to traffic. The batch of 52 all had bodies built by Commonwealth Engineering Co Ltd, of Granville, Sydney. The 34 Leyland OPD2/1 buses were registered m/o 2812, to 2820, 2831 to 2841 and 2850 to 2863 while the A.E.C. Regent III buses were registered 2864 to 2881. All had matching fleet numbers.
2878 was completed in December 1954 on a Regent III chassis that A.E.C. had manufactured in 1950 or 1951. The bus commenced operation at Randwick depot. Subsequently the bus saw service at, Brookvale, Willoughby and North Sydney depots. The vehicle was withdrawn on 31 August 1979. The bus was one of the very few 31 seater buses that was given an overhaul and repainted into the Public Transport Commission's colour scheme of blue and white.
When in operation in the Sydney area, the buses were known either as the "31 seaters" or the "butter boxes", while in Newcastle the type was nicknamed the "Frogs". Towards the end of their service lives, the term "frogs" became common usage in Sydney.
The bus was purchased by a member for preservation. Another member purchased the vehicle in the late 1980's and thoroughly restored it over a five year period. Work was completed in 1995.
SPECIFICATION
ENGINE: Six cylinder O.H.V. AEC diesel 9.6 litre displacement, bore 4.72", stroke 5.59", 125 BHP @ 1800 RPM.
TRANSMISSION: Four speed "Wilson" pre selector air operated gearbox with a worm drive differential.
BRAKES: Air operated foot brake to all wheels and a mechanical hand brake on the rear wheels.
