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Over the years, the AEC Regal, like its Regent, counterpart has proved to be a reliable and effective workhorse for Provincial. The first examples were delivered in 1934. They were the first large batch of new buses ordered by the company following on from an earlier batch of Chevrolet's which they replaced. These were eight Regal 4 with Harrington B32R bodies.

They all had 6.6 litre diesel engines. In 1945 (24/5) and 1946 (23/6-30) had these replaced by six cylinder 7.7 litre engines. In 1953 number 29 was rebuilt by the company with a front entrance for one man operation, with 23 following in 1954 and 24 and 30 in 1955.

In 1947 all eight vehicles were transferred to Provincial Traction Company legal ownership and reclassified DP32R, without structural alteration.

From 1957 all were rebodied as follows: -

1957: 29, 30 with Reading FB34F bodies

1958: 23 with Reading FB33F body

1958: 25/6 with Reading FB35F bodies

1958: 28 with Reading FB34F body

1961: 27 with a Reading/G.F.O.C. FB35F body,

1962: 24 with a Reading/G.F.O.C. FB35F body.

The original bodies of 24 and 27 were scrapped in February 1961 after being damaged beyond repair in the Hoeford garage fire of 1957.

Disposals:

23/5/8-30: Morgan (dealer), Waltham Chase, November 1968, for scrap.

23: Later to Fort Wallington Car Breakers (dealer), Fareham, April 1969.

24: Boys Club, Gomer Estate, Gosport by October 1970.

26: Fort Wallington Car Breakers (dealer), Fareham, April 1969.

27: Fort Wallington Car Breakers (dealer), Fareham, September 1970.

There is only one survivor from this batch, 24 (CG9607) which is now owned by David Whitaker. For details of this see the preservation page.

No 23 (CG 9606) in West Street, Fareham with original Harrington body.  Photo: V.C. Jones

No 24 (CG 9607) at Gosprt Ferry sporting the 'dual-purpose' livery briefly used in the late 1940s.   Photo: N Hamshere 

No 24 (CG 9607) after rebuilding, seen at Hoeford. Thanks to Gerry Cork for the photograph. Click Here to go to Gerry's website  

No 25 (CG 9610) with its original Harrington body at Gosport Ferry.  Photo: Alan Lambert collection 

No 26 (CG 9611) with original body on lay-over at Gosport Ferry.  Photo: Stephen Didymus collection 

No 26 (CG 9611) in Fareham en route 18 to Knowle Hospital, one of the Regal's regular haunts .  Photo: Fred York

No. 27 (CG 9612) passing the Co-Op department store in High Street, Gosport.   Photo: Fred York

No 28 (CG 9613) in picturesque surroundings in Trinity Street Fareham, seen here passing the "Good Intent" pub.   Photo: Fred York 

Regals 29 (CG 9608) and 30 (CG 9609) at Gosport Ferry in the mid 1930s.   Photo: Stephen Didymus collection 

No 29 (CG 9608) at Hoeford shortly after being converted to front entrance.  Photo: Solent Omnibus Club 

No 30 (CG 9609) seen in its original form with Harrington Body at Gosport Ferry .  Photo: Charles Chidwick

No 30 (CG 9609) seen after receiving a Reading FB34F body also at Gosport Ferry  

33 (FW 4054)

In 1936 another Regal was acquired. This was 33 (FW 4054). This came from sister company Provincial of Cleethorpes. It was very similar in appearance, having a Harrington C32R body but was actually built in 1933. It arrived with a six-cylinder petrol engine, but in 1946 received an AEC 7.7 litre diesel unit. In 1947 with the fear of nationalisation looming it was transferred to Provincial Traction Co ownership. Its fate was sealed in the 1957 garage fire at Hoeford, where it was totally destroyed, its remains passing to G Cohen (dealer) in September of that year for scrap.  

33 seen here whilst with Provincial of Cleethorpes, running as its No44.  Photo: Stephen Didymus Collection

Regals 33 and 23 in wartime livery at Hoeford, complete with newly qualified female drivers.   Photo: Solent Omnibus Club

No 33 at Stokes Bay in the 1950s. By this time the roof luggage compartment had been removed.   Photo: Alan Lambert 

66 (GOU 449)

The next Provincial Regal to enter service did so in 1949. This originated from Timpsons in London and was from 1931. It was originally registered GN 7271. On arrival at Provincial it was given an AEC 7.7 diesel and a post war style radiator. It was also fitted with a Reading 32 seat coach body, re-registered GOU 449, and numbered 66. In 1959 it was fitted with a reading FB35F in a similar style to 23-30. This bus was also legally owned by Provincial Traction Co. It was withdrawn in 1970 and sold for scrap.

66 (GOU 449), with its original Reading coach body, on an excursion probably in the early 1950s.  Photo: Stephen Didymus collection

Re-built 66 (GOU 449) inside Hoeford Depot. In the background are ex-Nottingham Regent 63 (CTO 387)and, under the tarpaulin, is 'Old Bill' (CD 7045). Next to 63 is an unidentified chassis, possibly that of 33 (ACN 172).   Photo: Douglas Parker

We haven't found a photo on GN 7271 with Timpson's to show you what 66 might have looked like, but to compensate,here is similar vehicle GN 7287.   Photo: Stephen Didymus Collection

15 (ATD 898)

The last Regal Provincial acquired had an interesting history. This vehicle was new to Barnes of Rawtenstall in 1935. It passed to Central of Burnley in March 1951. At an unknown date it was fitted with a Burlingham C35F body. After it was withdrawn from service in January 1955, it was sold for use as a mobile shop. On acquisition by Provincial in 1959, its body was removed, and after chassis reconditioning, it was re-bodied with a Reading FB35F body in the usual style as per the other Regals. It was withdrawn in 1968.

Photographed at Hoeford in 1959 shortly after being acquired from the Swain Group is 1935 A.E.C. Regal ATD 898. The Burlingham body was replaced by a Reading bus body to Provincial’s standard design before entering service as Fleet No. 15. It ran for eight years from 1960 and was fitted with electrically operated doors in 1965. Photo: Stephen Didymus collection

15 (ATD 898) after rebodying   Photo: RF Mack

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