1960s MIDLAND RED SINGLE-DECKER

A change of regulations in 1961 allowed an increase in the maximum size of buses to 36ft long and 8ft 2.1/2in wide [11m x 2.5m]. BMMO introduced its S16 model to these new dimensions in 1962, but to supplement its production it also bought one hundred Leyland Leopards with the original BET-style of bodywork (before the curved windscreen). Twenty-five had Weymann bodies with 53 bus seats, twenty had Willowbrook bodies with 48 coach seats, and fifty-five had Willowbrook bodies with 53 bus seats. 5212 is one of the latter, and was delivered in December 1962. From 1966 onwards, most were converted for driver-only operation, 5212 being modified in November 1968.

5212 HA was based at Digbeth throughout its time with Midland Red, and then passed to West Midlands PTE in December 1973, being based at Moseley Road and Yardley Wood. During this time, its capacity was reduced to 51 seats. It was withdrawn from service in October 1978.

A New Career
5212 HA passed to Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club in 1979, then became a caravan in 1982, and finally passed to two different sea angling clubs in 1985 and 1988 respectively. It briefly returned to Midland Red West in exchange for a newer support vehicle for long-distance fishing trips.

Preservation
Midland Red West sold 5212 HA for preservation, and it had three previous owners before arriving at Wythall in December 2003. A restoration programme, supported by colleagues in the Midland Red 02 Bus Group, began in October 2020.