The Same But Different!

Following on from the 1964 delivery of eight 30 ft long AEC Regent Fives, Devon General ordered a further six examples the following year. Unlike the previous examples their 69 seat bodies were built not by Willowbrook but by Park Royal in Acton. They arrived in May 1965 and were numbered 509-14. These Regents, together with a batch of “Reliance” single deckers, were the first vehicles delivered to DG with the new “suffix” type registration numbers, receiving CTT509-14C. As with the previous delivery they started work on the 50 and 55 services in Torquay but were soon to be seen operating from both Exeter and Newton Abbot. In 1967 No.509 was one of three vehicles fitted with experimental “load-meters”. This system consisted of microswitches fitted within the seats to register the pressure of bums on seats. History does not record the systems effectiveness. In January 1971, with the formation of the NBC, all six passed into the hands of Western National and were repainted poppy red. In May 1975 a complete restructuring of route numbers was undertaken by WN. The No2 route between Exeter and Newton Abbot thus became the 187 and was subsequently almost exclusively worked by buses from this batch.In 1977 No.509 was withdrawn and sold directly to Roselyn’s Coaches of Par in Cornwall, whose fleet comprised a great many second hand Regents sourced from many UK operators. In March 1979 No.512 was also withdrawn and sold to a Gloucestershire dealer.In March 1980 the rear upper deck of No.511 was damaged by fire whilst operating a school contract. It was stored at Newton Rd. depot and did not turn a wheel in anger again. The remaining three examples continued in service up to and during 1980 until their time finally ran out in the Autumn of that year due to the rostering of OMO Bristol VRs on the 187 service. The final example to be withdrawn was No.513 which came off service on October 31st, having run an enthusiasts special from Exeter to Torquay’s Pavilion. So, what’s left? Well, No.513 passed into preservation and has been restored back into Devon General’s maroon livery. After spending some time in South Wales as a driver trainer No.510 was thought to have been scrapped in Barnsley but was seen on a travellers’ site near Exeter in 1999, having been converted to a caravan. In 2006 it was acquired by a preservationist in Shropshire and hopefully restoration is a viable option. No.514 was reported in 1988 as being in use as a catering bus in Surrey but has not been heard of since and is presumed scrapped. An unsuccessful attempt was made to secure No.512 for preservation and it was subsequently converted into a play-bus. Following a low bridge accident it was acquired for spares by Chepstow Classic Buses.