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8-9 GHO 595-596
The first post war Guy Arab's purchased by Provincial were delivered in 1948 and had locally built Reading H30/26R bodies. There were still to half cab design whereas later deliveries were to be built fully fronted from new. No 8 (GHO 595) was rebuilt with a Deutz air-cooled engine and fully fronted Reading body in 1961. It was also numbered 74 at this time. No 9 retained its original body until withdrawn in 1965. Its chassis was retained for a while as a possible source for a future Deutz rebuild. This never happened and it was scrapped in November 1968 after H Orme-White's retirement.
No 8 (GHO 595) at Gosport Ferry Photo: Stephen Didymus collection
9 (GHO 596) seen resting at Gosport Ferry. Photo: N Hamshere
Reading fully fronted rebuilds 1950-1958.
Apart from the open toppers, all of the wartime Guy Arab's were given new Reading bodies in three types. Some had new half cab bodies (55,57), some were re-engined with Deutz air cooled units, (covered in a separate article), and the third option were the fully fronted Reading bodies with the original power unit. It is the third variety we cover here. The first vehicle so treated was No 60 (EHO 967) which had spent a short period as an open topper. Its body was, in effect, a fully fronted version of the "Coach Bus" luxury specification fitted to 57 (EHO 869). This was toned down in its later years with removal of the platform doors. A personal memory of this vehicle is that I thought it was quite dangerous, as when travelling on the rear platform waiting for the bus to stop the hand hold was on the permanently open door, which swung about with the movement of the bus, most disconcerting.
A nearside view of 60 showing the platform doors. Photo: Stephen Didymus collection
60 (EHO 967) seen at Gosport Ferry. It looks as if some offside damage has recently been repaired.
No 32 (EOR 878) was next to be re-bodied in 1957 and carried a body similar in design to No 60.
32 (EOR 878) at Gosport Ferry in the late 1950's. Photo: Surfleet
The last Arab to be re-bodied without a Deutz engine was 17 (EOR 875), this was in 1958. This vehicle is now preserved. The body differed from No 60 by having a peak to the front grille and hopper type opening windows.
17 (EOR 875) in somewhat care worn condition at Hoeford Depot.
70-71 SCG 622-623
The last new Guy Arabs purchased by Provincial arrived in 1958. These were Arab IV 5LW and arrived with Reading fully fronted H30/26R bodies from new. These two buses go down in history as being the last new double deckers delivered under the Orme-White Regime. There were no more new vehicles until after his retirement in 1968 when the Seddon's arrived. No 70-71 lasted until 1973 and were re-painted into the new livery with more cream before withdrawal.
No 70 (SCG 622) seen outside the Melgrade Café in West Street Fareham the starting point of route 17 to Wynton Way. This route ran past Mr Orme-Whites house and either new vehicles or those newly re-painted were mustered for this route. No 70 is seen in pristine condition on this day.
70 (SCG 622) in the revised livery is seen at Gosport Ferry. The door of the "luggage compartment" is open
71 (SCG 623) at the Ferry setting down point.
71 (SCG 623) at Fareham (West End) Terminus in Longfield Avenue
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