The busman's Bugatti—and a mystery motor, too...

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We are indebted to commercial-vehicle historian Allan Bedford for supplying today's photograph, which shows a c.1931 Leyland TD1 in Redcar livery in a bus garage in west Kent, possibly in Tunbridge Wells; the address on the bus reveals that Redcar Services Ltd. kept its head offices there, at 48, Monson Road. We confess we are somewhat confused by the name, as the town of Redcar is located about 200 miles away at the very top of Yorkshire. An article from The Commercial Motor of February 8th, 1935, refers to Redcar as "the well-known independent bus and coach company" while reporting the news that it was to be taken over by Maidstone & District Motor Services, a major regional operator active from 1911 to 1998.

The report stated: "The managing director of the Redcar concern is Major J. B. Elliott, chairman of the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association. The company has an authorized capital of £72,500, of which £50,203 has been issued, and runs about 70 vehicles, of Albion, Dennis, Leyland and T.S.M. makes. The Maidstone and District company is a member of the Tilling and British Automobile Traction group, and has a capital of £500,000."

Concerning this picture, Allan adds: "The Redcar fleet had just four of those Leylands new in July, 1931, KJ 2577 to KJ 2580—the first pair with Weymann bodies and the second Leyland's own bodies. They all finished up with London Transport and at least one was sold to Liverpool Corporation Transport around 1940. Later, KJ 2578 was converted into a mobile canteen for the bus crews and survives with the Merseyside Transport Trust."

That's all very interesting, but what makes this photograph especially fascinating is the two motor cars lurking in the background. One seems very clearly to be a Bugatti, with a London "GP" registration (GP 4337 or 4332?). We expect to be corrected, but a large saloon body, broad radiator and solid wheels suggest we're looking at a Type 46. We're less sure about the other car (xX 7446) but the radiator strongly suggests a late 1920s Daimler, and it's probably about the right size for a 16/55 or a 20/70. Who can tell us more?

The real mystery about this photograph, though, is what two expensive thoroughbred Vintage cars, rare even in their time, would be doing parked in a bus garage with a fleet of chugging Titans. Allan suggests they might have belonged to one of the senior managers. Could they even have been Major Elliott's personal transport? Tell us what you can...

Words: Zack Stiling
Photograph supplied by Allan Bedford

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