Mystery bus in Totnes

[Ashley Hill]

Passing through Totnes today I noticed what appears to be a green Bristol single deck bus (MW/SL?) in the police station car park. There is another bus,type unknown next to it. I didn’t fancy poking around in such a car park so does anyone know what they are?

 

[83G/84D]

Maybe an undercover vehicle for police officers to witness motorists committing traffic offences?

A bus albeit more modern was used in Plymouth a few years ago to carry police officers with cameras etc backed up by unmarked and marked police cars for certain offences.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Maybe an undercover vehicle for police officers to witness motorists committing traffic offences?

A bus albeit more modern was used in Plymouth a few years ago to carry police officers with cameras etc backed up by unmarked and marked police cars for certain offences.

Well a fine vehicle like this would stand out a bit. From what I could see it appeared in reasonable condition.

 

[RELL6L]

Could it be a Bristol SU? Common in the West Country many years ago I think there may be one or two preserved locally.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I took this quick shot this morning. The other bus has gone. It appears in good condition externally and has seats (piled up) inside. I can’t think why it’s in a police station car park; perhaps the owner is a copper! I’d give it a home if I had the money and space; it’s my favourite type of bus!

(Photo shows OVL468, a Bristol MW with ECW bodywork)

 

[Cowley]

What a lovely thing. I take it that’s not one of the buses that occasionally works out of Buckfastleigh station @Ashley Hill?

 

[Ashley Hill]

What a lovely thing. I take it that’s not one of the buses that occasionally works out of Buckfastleigh station @Ashley Hill?

One of them is a Bristol but a different model. This bus hasn’t noticeably moved for many months but clearly someone looks after it.

 

[Busaholic]

It's a Bristol MW, a very common bus fifty and more years ago.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I’ve checked the registration and it has been declared off road.

 

[JKP]

Ex Lincolnshire Road Car Bristol MW5G. It is certainly a mystery how it has ended up in Totnes Police Station. Could it have broken down causing an obstruction and been removed by the police?

 

[Fleetmaster]

Arrested for vagrancy?

Bristol MW - United Automobile - OVL 468

Operator:	Lincolnshire	Fleet No:	2248
Chassis:	Bristol MW5G	Chassis No:	164.170
Body:	ECW B45F	Body No:	11854

HISTORY​

Feb 61	In service with Lincolnshire Road Car Company Limited, Lincoln (2248)
Feb 61	Converted to B43F
1976	Out of service with Lincolnshire Road Car Company Limited, Lincoln (2248)
Apr 77	W Norths (PV) Limited, Sherburn-in-Elmet (dealer)
Oct 77	Glenside & Barrow Hospital Management Committee, Bristol
Jul 85	John Hembry, Bristol
Aug 96	Unidentified owner, Surrey
	Converted to mobile home
May 03	Chip Bishop, Rugby
<Feb 08	Andrew Beaumont, Warminster
Feb 08	Belgisch Brits Centrum, Sint Lenaartseweg
May 17	Peter Stopforth, Lowestoft
May 20	James Eastwood, Moreton
Dec 20	Andrew Pearson, North Muskham

 

[Ashley Hill]

I’m now led to believe that this bus has been through several owners over the years including a spell abroad. It was apparently bought by its current owner on eBay and is being converted into a mobile home. Shame.

 

[DaveLondon]

Ex Lincolnshire Road Car Bristol MW5G. It is certainly a mystery how it has ended up in Totnes Police Station. Could it have broken down causing an obstruction and been removed by the police?

It would not have been legal on the road as it has been declared SORN. Been through several preservationists - most recenr keeper change 7/21.