1960s BIRMINGHAM CORPORATION DOUBLE-DECKER
Reg No: KOX 780F - new 1968
Chassis: Daimler Fleetline CRG6
Engine: Gardner 6LX 10.45 litre 6 cyl.
Gearbox: Semi-automatic
Body: Park Royal 76 seats
Replacement of Birmingham City Transport’s early postwar buses with rear-engined buses began in the 1960s and around 600 Daimler Fleetlines of this basic appearance were in service by 1969 when BCT was absorbed into the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive.
The Fleetlines had bodies built by Metro-Cammell and Park Royal, similar in looks although differences could be clearly identified over the years and between the two builders. Most were originally built with conductors in mind but the last 100 had front entrances and centre exits intended to speed unloading on driver only buses although the configuration soon fell out of favour in the West Midlands. This bus, 3780, was the last delivered with front entrance only.
3780 entered service in April 1968 at Yardley Wood garage but was reallocated to Coventry Road garage in May 1969. It moved twice in 1971, to Perry Barr in June and to Moseley Road in September. That depot closed in March 1972 so it moved to Liverpool Street. It settled at Washwood Heath for some years from November 1973 but had worked from Acocks Green for several years before its retirement in April 1982. Its good condition led to the museum purchasing it
to represent BCT’s Fleetlines. It was returned to Birmingham City Transport colours in 1998.
