Leyland Leopard GCS 50V was bought by Kenny Barclay on the 18th May 2007 from West Coast Motors. She was the first vehicle he purchased and entered her new life in preservation shortly after.
She was new to Western S.M.T. in April 1980 and went on to give 17 years service to the Scottish Bus Group and a further 10 years with Oban & District / West Coast Motors.
The three month restoration started in December 2007 and consisted of bodywork repairs, major re-panelling and repaint into the original Clydeside Scottish livery of Red and Yellow. This was worn by Clydeside vehicles from 1985 till 1989 and is also carried by Kenny’s other Clydeside vehicles, Leyland Fleetline HSD 73V and part owned TYS 259W. This was a fantastic bright and colourful livery and there are few vehicles preserved in this livery.
Kenny was brought up in Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire during the 1980’s and 1990’s and Clydeside Scottish was therefore his local bus company. In June 1988 he started a summer job working for Clydeside Scottish at their Johnstone Depot, the same depot that GCS 50V first entered service eight years previously!
Photographs
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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
- GCS 50V
- Chassis type
- Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R
- Chassis number
- 7903534
- Body type and seating
- Alexander AY B53F
- Body number
- 137AY/2078/21
- Date new
- April 1980
- Original operator
- Western SMT (L50)