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Southampton had taken utility Guy Arabs during the war and like a number of other operators who may, all being well not have considered Guys, it liked what it saw. When the tramway abandonment took place (the last tram running 1949) it turned to the Guy Arab III in a big way for their replacement. Deliveries started in 1948 and continued until 1954. During this time a total of 150 examples had been taken into stock, all Park Royal bodied. These buses were the main workhorses in Southampton until withdrawal started in the late 1950s, with the last example running until the early 1970s. This is not the end of the story as some were converted to open top for tours of the docks and lasted longer than the closed top examples. A number of both open and closed top survive, none of the Provincial examples do, unfortunately.
Guy Arab 140 (FCR 441) in Southampton livery. This bus was to become No 16 when acquired by Provincial in 1965 Photo: Stephen Didymus Collection
In November 1962 the first batch were acquired by Provincial and these entered service in 1963. They were some of the earliest examples being from 1948. Provincial was already an Arab user, but its examples had the smaller Gardner 5LW engine. The Southampton ones had the 6LW engine. This may have been due to the more hilly terrain around Southampton, but more likely was due to Mr Orme-White's prudence.
The second batch was bought in 1965 and were also from 1948. A solitary example was acquired in 1966. These buses served Provincial well the last one being withdrawn in 1972.
No 64 (FCR 200)seen here have just passed through Fareham viaduct on delivery to Hoeford from Southampton in 1962. Photo: Fred York
I liked these vehicles as they were very closely related to the Guy bodied Arabs Provincial already had, and these were a favourite of mine. The first batch had their red leather seats replaced with green before entering service and interior panelling replaced with green Formica. However in 1965 one day I was waiting at the bus stop in Fareham West Street on my way home for lunch from school, when I saw a number of Southampton liveried Arab's go past, I assumed they were on their way to Hoeford. A few weeks later at the same spot No 40 (FCR 445) turned up now in Provincial livery, but the biggest surprise was on entering. The original seats had been left in red, but the entire interior had been refurbished in very brash patterned pink Formica, it had quite an effect on the eye. The only other pink interiored bus was no 14 the Ruston and Hornsby engined vehicle, but this was in a much more restrained pattern. I can still smell the new paint in No 40 if I think about it today !
| Registration No | Provincial Fleet No | SCT fleet number | Date to service | Withdrawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCR 198 | 62 | 108 | 1963 | 1970 |
| FCR 199 | 63 | 109 | 1963 | 1971 |
| FCR 200 | 64 | 110 | 1963 | 1971 |
| FCR 201 | 65 | 111 | 1963 | 1971 |
| FCR 440 | 48 | 139 | 1965 | 1970 |
| FCR 441 | 16 | 140 | 1965 | 1970 |
| FCR 442 | 19 | 141 | 1965 | 1971 |
| FCR 445 | 40 | 144 | 1965 | 1972 |
| FCR 446 | 41 | 145 | 1965 | 1972 |
| FCR 447 | 49 | 146 | 1965 | 1972 |
| FCR 452 | 11 | 151 | 1966 | 1970 |
FCR 443 (SCT 142) was also acquired in 1965 to be allocated fleet number 39 but never entered service, due to a cracked chassis. 11 (FCR 452) was bought a year later to fill the gap.
62 (FCR 198) seen here whilst working route 7 in Gosport. Photo: Fred York
63 (FCR 199) on the ramp at Hoeford for maintenance. Photo: Stephen Didymus Collection
No 64 (FCR 200) in the later revised livery at Gosport Ferry. Photo: Alistair Douglas
No 65 (FCR 201) seen at the Ferry shortly after repaint. Photo : Ray Soper
Number 16 (FCR 441) in the company of another ex Southampton Arab seen at Hoeford. Not the tramlines still evident. Photo Charles Chidwick
19 (FCR 442) in the later livery at Hoeford. Photo: Bob Gray
39 (FCR443). This vehicle was found to have a cracked chassis, so never entered service. Photo: Alan Cross Collection
40 (FCR 445) passing Guy open topper 56 (EHO 868) at Stowe Estate, Highlands Road, Fareham, July 13th 1965. Photo: Fred York
No 41 (FCR 446) on the A27 near Fareham railway station, about to take a left turn into Redlands Lane.
Number 48 (FCR 440) seen at the Ferry, this time with one of the Seddon Pennine IV of 1968 seen alongside. Photo: supplied by Mark Gentry
49 (FCR 447) of the second batch at Gosport ferry
11
(FCR 452) purchased as a replacement for FCR 443, seen at Gosport Ferry c.
1969. Photo: Alistair Douglas
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