This website is for anyone interested in the products of Bristol Commercial Vehicles, a manufacturer swallowed up by British Leyland and a victim of the politics of the 1970s and early 1980s. The specific model we deal with in most detail is the Vertical Rear-engined (VR) double decker which is still operating in several parts of the country, but in ever-dwindling numbers. The youngest examples will celebrate their twenty-seventh birthday this year (2008), testament to the quality of design and build which was a hallmark of the Brislington factory where they were built.
Last Updated : April 26th 2008 (Photo of the Month and Operator Focus updated)
For a couple of years now I have been adding Illustrated Fleet Histories for operators who have run VRs, REs, LHs and/or Lodekkas at some point, ranging from large groups to tiny one-vehicle operations. Those added so far are listed by county on the Operator Cross Reference page (including an indication as to whether or not the list yet contains all the details and photos in my possession), but I now plan to showcase operators as I work on them. The purpose of highlighting them on here is both as a means of promoting the pages but also as a request for viewers to send in any photos that fill in the gaps in the Photo Archive sections on each page. The aim is to illustrate every vehicle in every livery with every operator and I want to thank all the very many kind individuals who have already made such contributions to this website.
Operator Focus(April 30th 2008)Wilts & Dorset VR (**Complete**)
In recognition of the impending end of VR operation by Wilts & Dorset I am putting together a history page for all 102 VRs owned by this operator since it was created in April 1983 by the separation of Hants & Dorset into four units. All of those remaining in service into 2008 were current then, precisely a quarter of a century ago!! The lists of Series 2 VRs, Early Series 3 VRs, Late Series 3 and Secondhand are now complete with all photos and information to hand - all additional contributions are very welcome. Operator Focus - ArchiveThe Operator Focus Archive contains a log of previously featured operators. If you can contribute to fill any gaps or correct any mistakes I'd be delighted to hear from you. |
Photo of the Month (April 26th 2008)
Possibly the most ambitious use of a VR ever is the tour being undertaken by Daniel Spokes and Matt Lumber overland to India, China and back via Russia. The VR being used for this mammoth journey is former Bristol Omnibus 5534 (EWS742W). A very interesting photo montage/commentary is available at http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/apr/13/roadtrips.adventure whilst the pair's progress can be followed at http://letyourselfgo.expedia.co.uk/doubledecker/. There is also a site describing how the dream came to become reality at http://doubledeckeradventure.com/index.php. Very many thanks go to Allan Macfarlane for providing this rear view taken at the very start of the tour on April 20th at the Downs in Bristol. Photo of the Month - ArchiveThis is the latest photo in a regular feature intended to showcase the work of some of the very kind contributors to this website to whom we are very much indebted. |
The aim of this website is to be the up-to-date reference point for all surviving Bristol VR, Lodekka, RE and LH vehicles. Ultimately it is the intention to have an Illustrated History page for every one of these vehicles that were built including photos with every owner in every livery. Obviously this is a lifetime's work and will not be achieved without the help of a great many contributors - these kind folk have already helped to swell the number of photos held for publication to over 15,000, many of which are already in use on the site. I have decided that the time has come to record all changes of vehicle status on the website, and this information can now be found on the Recently Recorded Changes Log.
The Illustrated Histories Log page details those vehicles that have already been processed. More are added each week. In addition I am also adding pages for every operator who have ever run a VR, RE, LH or Lodekka. You will find a list of operators added so far on the Operator Cross Reference page. If you can help to complete any with either additional information or photos I would be delighted to hear from you, either through the submission of photos or slides for scanning, or through the email of digital images. You will find my Contact Information at the foot of this page.
Bristols Available for Purchase
I have regularly been asked to advertise available vehicles, and I have now got round to adding this link to VRs (and other Bristols) looking for good homes.
ILLUSTRATED CURRENT SURVIVORS LISTS
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All current VR operators. |
Playbuses, exhibition units, caravans, etc. They're all here. |
Over one hundred and eighty VRs are already in preservation. Keep up with their progress here. |
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Lists by original owner of all RE survivors from around the World |
Lists by original owner of all Lodekka survivors from around the World |
Lists by original owner of all LH survivors from around the World |
COMPLETE TYPE LISTS
| BRISTOL
VR
Here you will find all VRs that were manufactured, listed by original owner. The lists show the current location of all survivors, all others being marked as scrapped. |
| BRISTOL
RE
Here you will find all REs that were manufactured, listed by original owner. The lists show the current location of all survivors, all others being marked as scrapped. ***New feature - work in progress*** |
| BRISTOL
SU
Although we do not cover the Bristol SU, you will find very comprehensive comprehensive coverage on Gerry Tormey's website using the above link |
| BRISTOL
MW
Gerry Tormey has also now completed a superb site devoted to the Bristol MW. Follow the link above. |
| BRISTOL
SC
Further offerings from Gerry Tormey now include this site for the Bristol SC.... |
| BRISTOL
LS
...and this one for the integral Bristol LS model |
This is a work in progress, but take a look - Frapper link - for the time being I have added my own VR and its sister with Stagecoach - do please feel free to add your own Bristol bus and photo.
The photos on this page see former Hampshire Bus GLJ467N, BVRES's first preserved VR (top left), JOU161P, Rob Sly's Leyland-engined dual-door, former Cheltenham District (top right) and HKE680L (above), former Bee Line/Newnham Coaches Series 2. For more details see their Illustrated Histories (click the registration numbers).
Your webmaster would be delighted to hear from you about anything Bristol/ECW-related. His email address is rob@robsly.com.
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