352

352 - 1952 AEC Regal III

1952 AEC REGAL III

Vehicle Background:
The Associated Equipment Company (AEC) of the United Kingdom supplied 135 chassis and components for the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board (M. & M.T.B) between 1951 and 1954.

While the Tramways Board was principally an operator of electric trams, it did operate a fleet of nearly three hundred buses during the years from the 1950's to the 1980's. When built they were the standard Melbourne government bus. Exanples of the type continued to operate right up until 1980.

An industrial dispute relating to the introduction of one-man operated buses brought about the conversion of a large number of the standard two door 41 seaters to one door 32 seaters. The alteration involved the body overhang behind the rear axle being shortened and the rear door removed. Those rebuilt soon became known as the "bob tails".

The body was built by Commonwealth Engineering Company, Granville Sydney. No 352 ran from the Doncaster Depot in the outer Eastern suburbs. The bus has a body built by the Commonwealth Engineering Co. Pty. Ltd, Granville, Sydney, N.S.W. and was completed on 3rd March 1952.

No 352 was one of three Ex (M. & M.T.B) AEC Regals III's purchased by the engineering firm Simon Carves. The Company used the buses for the transport of their employees to sites where engineering construction was taking place. The buses were eventually brought to Sydney from the Albury / Wodonga area for ultimate disposal. A syndicate of 4 members examined the three vehicles and chose 352 in 1982 as being the one in best condition.

Bob James was selected to be team leader of the project. In later years the outright ownership passed solely to Bob James and Jim Miller. In 1996 Bob and Jim donated the bus to the Association.

SPECIFICATION

ENGINE: A.E.C. 6 cylinder 9.6 litre Diesel, bore 4.72", stroke 5.59", 125 B.H.P. @ 1800 R.P.M.

TRANSMISSION: Air operated 'Wilson' 4 speed pre-selector gearbox.

REAR AXLE: Worm drive differential

BRAKES: Full air operated foot brake and mechanical hand brake.

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