AEC EVG 426

This AEC looks as though it had recently changed hands. The most likely explanation for the odd-coloured square on the side would be to black out the previous owners name. Some contractors would continue to use the vehicle like that, however, I don't think this is with a contractor because it still has its shiny wheel trim in place and is not even battered and bent. Do you know its history?
Photo again from RHG Simpson in the early sixties

Les Dickinson

02/08/12 - 07:40

The body looks very much like that of a Duple Ambassador.

Chris Hebbron

02/08/12 - 11:38

It is almost certainly a Duple, and I think Ambassador. Think it is a Regal IV.
I don't think the fancywork above the AEC badge was there when the vehicle was new, wonder who added it.
I have been advised this morning that it was new to Browns of Norfolk.

Mr Anon

02/08/12 - 11:39

I concur with Chris. Southdown had the same mournful body on numerous Leyland Royal Tigers. (Can't remember whether they reached the Tiger Cubs - which had more Beadles and a few Weymanns.)

David Oldfield

02/08/12 - 11:39

I can add that the registration number was issued in Norwich in late December 1951 but might have been held over to January 1st 1952 which actually started at EVG 482.

Richard Leaman

02/08/12 - 17:07

EVG 426 was an AEC Regal IV (chassis no. 9821E1306 i.e. with preselector gearbox), and fitted with Duple 'Ambassador' C41C body. It was new to R. G. Brown of Norwich.

John Stringer

03/08/12 - 18:05

Having rummaged in the boxes of files that occupy the back bedroom I can expand on "R.G. Brown of Norwich".
Richard George Brown began his driving career with Roberts "Red Car Service" of Norwich but later became landlord of the "Moon & Stars" in Duke Street. In 1941 he purchased his first PSV, a Star Flyer ex Haylett (Felix) of Gt. Yarmouth. Specialising in the transport of war workers, the business rapidly expanded with second hand buses.
Postwar, a number of new coaches were acquired, mostly Bedfords but with some heavyweights e.g. a Leyland PS1/Duple which later passed to The Delaine.
By 1948 Mr. Brown had given up the pub and moved to 7, South Avenue, Thorpe next Norwich with the fleet being based at St.Marys Plain. The fleet name "Broadland Coaches" was adopted with a livery of light blue and cream with black mudguards.
EVG 426 was licenced in February 1952 and was still in use in March 1959 when Alan Brown drove it to the Spurs ground at Tottenham where Norwich played Luton in the FA cup semi-final (It was a draw in case you wondered.)
Richard Brown passed away in May 1962 and the business faded away soon afterwards.
The disposal for EVG 426 was given as "Rayfield, Oulton nr. Rothwell, South Yorkshire" about whom I know nothing but I assume to be connected with "J. A. Rayfield, The Grange, Woodlesford, nr. Leeds" who is listed in the 1966/7 Passenger Transport Year Book.
The photo is from the collection of Alan Brown (son of R.G.Brown). Apart from looking smarter it shows that trafficators were fitted originally.

Nigel Turner

04/08/12 - 07:49

That would explain why the photo was in a pack of vehicles in the West Riding (area, not fleet) when I bought it Nigel. I can also see that the trim over the AEC badge was in place and has been painted a different colour in later life. Wonder if Rayfield was the end of the line for this bus?

Les Dickinson

04/08/12 - 11:44

I don't remember many of this type of body on anything other than a Bedford chassis 'of which there were many' I could be way off the mark here, but perhaps that's because the heavier chassis vehicles were generally bought by larger companies like the BET and SMT groups as well as municipal undertakings such as Sheffield, who when it came to coaches seemed to favour other body builders rather than Duple

Ronnie Hoye

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