Endless Possibilities: 1964 AEC Routemaster Double-Decker Bus
Black cabs and red double-decker buses. When people think of the London streetscape, more often than not, it is those two vehicles that will appear somewhere in their imaginations. So beloved was the original Routemaster double-decker, that when the time came for it to finally be retired, its replacement was a modern interpretation of the same basic concept. Today, retired Routemasters are used for a multitude of different purposes, and this 1964 model represents an opportunity for someone to take a gentle giant and to transform it into something special. The Routemaster is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and has been listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. The owner has set the sale price for this beauty at $30,000.
The Routemaster proved to be something of a hardy survivor. The first one entered regular service in 1959, and the Routemaster remained active throughout London in various guises right through until the end of 2005. They were produced in a number of different models and variations, the most common of these being the Model RM, of which 2,123 vehicles were built between 1959 and 1968. Our feature vehicle is a Model RM and was produced by AEC (Associated Equipment Company) in 1964. When it was released, the Routemaster represented a radical design departure in the bus industry. While most buses of the era (and many today) utilize a fiberglass or aluminum body on a heavy steel frame, the Routemaster made use of steel front and rear subframes to mount the drivetrain and suspension, with the remaining structure and body manufactured largely from aluminum. This allowed the Routemaster to be significantly lighter than its competition, improving performance and economy, whilst minimizing potential rust issues. The owner doesn’t indicate whether there are any potential issues with the subframes, but they have never been notorious for problems. That makes me feel fairly confident that all should be well in that area. The panels look straight and crisp, while there are no obvious issues or problems with the glass. Being an RM, it does feature an open rear entrance deck. It was this feature that eventually spelled the end of the line for the RM because the authorities recognized that this made it very easy for occupants to accidentally fall off the back of the vehicle whilst it was on the move. This did happen, and people did lose their lives in such incidents.
At 27½’ in total length, the Routemaster is by no means a small vehicle. However, it is a vehicle that can provide a surprise or two for any person who slips behind the wheel for the first time. It isn’t clear which engine is fitted to the Routemaster because there were three different units used during the vehicle’s manufacturing life. Regardless of whether it is an AEC or a Leyland unit, the power output would be somewhere between 115 and 125hp. Most people would expect the RM to be a heavy and cumbersome vehicle, but with power steering, power/hydraulic brakes, and automatic transmission as standard features, these giants are surprisingly easy to operate. The most difficult task can be reversing the vehicle, but this becomes easier with practice. Having said that, a reversing camera is a wise investment. The owner states that the engine did run, which I would take to mean that it currently doesn’t. Regardless of whether this is an AEC or a Leyland engine, both are pretty robust and as staggering as it might seem, they are capable of clocking incredible mileage (½ a million miles or more) quite easily.
Buying and owning a genuine London double-decker bus sounds like an interesting proposition, but then you have to ask the question, “What would I do with it?” It is a good question, and this is where you can really let your imagination loose. It would make a great vehicle for scenic bus tours, and many retired Routemasters have found a new life in that sort of service. I have also seen these used as a mobile cafe or restaurant, allowing the owner to temporarily set up operations wherever they perceive a need or an opportunity. Imagine being able to temporarily open a restaurant on a high cliff-top overlooking the ocean on a beautiful day, and to serve meals to customers as they watch the sun setting over the ocean. Then, when you close for the evening, you can drive your restaurant home and choose a different location to operate from tomorrow. I have also seen these converted into fantastic mobile homes. I have seen owners convert the lower level to a kitchen/living area, while the upper level has served as a bedroom. There is plenty of glass to make it light and airy, and it would be a pretty interesting way to see the country once the Golden Day of Retirement arrives. What do you think?
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Comments
For best results, do NOT sit in the 1st several rows on the top level,,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3F9WOK4j3s
Oh geese that’s unfortunate 😜
I think it would make a great tiny house that portable 👍
Bedrooms up and lower is kitchen and sitting area with a RV bath and shower
The other options party bus for weddings would have a great break out section for calm lower and cra cra upstairs j
James Bond “Live and Let Die” 1971
(not sure which was chicken and which egg)
Start at 2:16
https://youtu.be/IuDAx4Yndv0?t=137
During my student years in London, the open rear deck made it possible to hop moving buses between actual stops, and for the skilled made for fast and efficient above-ground transport across otherwise crowded London much like Tarzan would swing from vine to vine to move swiftly across the jungle. Sadly those days are over. Long live the Routemaster!
50 years ago in 1967, 1968 and 1969 these 7 drove a London Double-Decker Bus around the World !
The Magnificent Seven are now meeting in the US and Canada to celebrate. :-)
Link to the essex bus boys: http://www.essexbusboys.com
Here’s another example of American ingenuity…..a very different type of food truck!
https://www.thebusboymobile.com/gallery
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a6683c_01f6a8ddbee54b13a1e3c9e83d6a1c18~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_972,h_730,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90/a6683c_01f6a8ddbee54b13a1e3c9e83d6a1c18~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpg
Options abound, here are a few of them.
https://tinyhousetalk.com/top-5-double-decker-bus-to-motorhome-conversions/
Keeping this as a bus in a private or museum collection… Think about the cost to restore a car, then apply the “extra-large vehicle” financial, equipment/systems and space factors, = $$$$
Cool item, but a special kind of person is needed who wants to own one of these.
Union Jack paint job in Singapore was paid for by Qantas Airways
Pictures of the Essex Bus Boys around the World bus.
Did you see the Essex Bus Boys bus?
http://essexbusboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/The-Bus-lg.jpg
http://www.server7.com/teardrop/2018events/Pontiac/essex_bus_boys.PNG
http://www.server7.com/teardrop/2018events/Pontiac/essex_bus_boys_2.jpg
http://www.server7.com/teardrop/2018events/Pontiac/essex_bus_boys_3.jpg
‘kids’ w/$. (not ‘boys’ in ‘americaneez’)
Exchanges 1 for a woman at 1 point it seems?
No russian or Viet Nahm excersions at THAT time!
Lotsa ‘england affilate’ visits (nother indication of $).
Must B nice…
Not only ask yourself ‘what to use it for’ but also ‘where do you drive it’? You could easily put yourself in trouble due to its height unless planning the route ahead to avoid bridges, street signs or electricity/phone cables
Double-decker coaches in the UK have traditionally been 12.0 metres (39 feet 4 inches) in length, though many newer models are about 13.75 metres (45 ft 1 in). Coaches are normally built to 4.38 metres (14 ft 4 in) high, while ‘highbridge’ buses are normally about 20 centimetres (8 in) taller.
Might want to double check those numbers…
Okay, I got this pegged. Big block Chevy and a 671 blower. I am sure this would handle great around tight corners, use it for auto cross.
Time for another “Be inspired” comment & link
https://www.rodsnsods.co.uk/forum/history-archive/smoke-city-wheelers-routemaster-457209
Looks like it came right out of a Harry Potter movie.
I’m currently in London under lock down, but I’ve had the pleasure of riding in the modern version many times. There are also several original Roadmasters still in operation as special events vehicles. My wife works with the elderly, so she’s out there every day and reports she is often the only passenger. Remember the movie, ’28 Days Later ‘? That’s London, minus the zombies of course.
There’s a few pictures of it when it was working in West London:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mjrprestonbus/9566365997/in/photostream/
https://thetransportlibrary.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=21538&page=5462
http://www.sct61.org.uk/ltrm1756
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cliveabrown/2692382202/
Here in Davis, CA, Unitrans, a collaboration between the City and the University of California, runs a fleet of nine vintage RT’s, as well as some modern double deckers, in regular service. They’ve been a Davis fixture since the late 60’s.
https://www.davisenterprise.com/features/visitors-guide-double-decker-buses/
Had no idea. Very cool.
Apparently service has been limited for now, not surprising.
Came here to say the same. Been here since 1966 and remember when they started. Irate letters to the editor decrying the loss of privacy to houses along the routes. Nobody even notices now.
I rode these, as my school bus, in London, ’67-’68(while my brother preferred the Tube). My favorite seat was top front: “All the world’s a stage”. Fond memories.
The Magic Bus!.
There’s one of these rusting away in a field on the Oregon Coast. I’ve often looked at it and wondered how difficult it would be to bring it back to running condition, but then reality comes back to bite me.. (Or maybe it’s just one of their goats.)
Back in summer of ’74 while almost 14, visiting my brother stationed as an Army medic in Baumholder, Germany, his wife took me on one of these buses they had there. Maybe it was on the way to Idar Oberstein, too young to recall. Being it was a short trip to another place I didnt get to go up top like I wanted to. But at least I can say I was on one, 47 yrs ago, yikes! The wife didn’t like my suggestion as a tour bus for downtown Boise. Someone else can bank on that one now!
A 2 floor Tiny house but not at that price.
“I’ll get you for this Butler” !
Let’s see who her is old enough to “get it”.
Stan! Lose the fag! Here comes the inspector!
Try saying that today.
“Fag” as in cigarette. Likely still used. Can a reader from the Isles confirm?
The meaning you ascribe would be more likely “poofer”. Remember, this was a UK series, which never really played in the States.
I can C UC Davis, Brits luved Cali back then, Cali luved Brits then too.
The Rods’n Suds is nice. Liken the window change (I might go even further).
Multi-purpose – house, resturant/food truck…