Trent AEC Regal RC 4615

World War Two badly affected new bus production. With many staff in the armed forces, maintenance concentrated on the mechanical side rather than bodywork. New buses could not be built fast enough after the war and, with petrol rationing for private cars, most were needed for additional services. So many operators, including Trent, fitted new bodies to sound pre-war chassis.

Trent, a prominent bus operator in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, was a sister company of Midland Red in the days of the British Electric Traction group. Trent purchased buses built by Midland Red until the outbreak of World War Two but also bought AEC buses in the late 1930s and 1940s. This bus, Trent's no 714, combines a 1937 chassis with a 1950 body by Trent's favoured coachbuilder, Willowbrook.

Preservation

After sale by Trent, a contractor used 714 for staff transport. It was then bought by an enthusiast and part restored. 714 was sold to the Museum in 1984. By 1987 further extensive mechanical and body work had been carried out, including a full repaint.