BUS 181 was new with Cowieson H30/26R bodywork, and entered service with Glasgow Corporation as 615 in July 1938.
It was withdrawn from service at Ibrox garage in 1950 for rebodying to Crossley design by Scottish Commercial, retaining the same seating capacity. However Scottish Commercial withdrew from the contract and it (and 8 others) were rebodied by Crossley. On its return to service in March 1951 it was renumbered AR292, the R indicating a rebody.
It was sold to Hunter of Kilmarnock (part of the A1 group) in 1961 and converted to a recovery vehicle.
Once in the hands of a preservationist in 1980, it was restored and painted in GCT livery.
Sold to First Glasgow in March 2004, this vehicle had a couple of years unused until it was sold to Glasgow City Council in 2006 for continued preservation.
It would be desirable to one day restore this rare bus with a double deck bus body once more!
Photographs
Do you have a memory of this vehicle?
Perhaps you travelled on it, saw it at work, or know part of its story we have not yet recorded. Use the comments section below to share what you remember – every detail helps build a richer picture of Glasgow’s transport history.
- Registration
- BUS 181
- Chassis type
- AEC Regent 0661
- Chassis number
- 06616225
- Body type and seating
- Crossley (1950) (cut-down) R4
- Body number
- 2363
- Date new
- July 1938
- Original operator
- Glasgow Corporation (615, later AR292)