Ex East Kent Bristol VRT/SL3/6LXB 7681 (SKL681X)
Since then I have repainted her into National Bus Company 'Poppy Red' and repaired a leaking mitre box oil seal (this took nearly a year!). Although not a perfect restoration she is a working bus with a few dents and wonky panels. The period of time she is restored to is her second repaint in 1985, she would have been in service and been less than perfect but tidy. Some minor jobs remain to do on her to finish her off such as replacing the front upstairs with the 'push out' vents and repainting the roof but for now I'm happy to enjoy her as she is on the road after such a long time 'VOR'.
A brief history of 7681 (SKL681X)
(with thanks to the EK&M&D Bus Club for the information)
Bristol VRT/SL3/6LXB chassis number 3/3063 (Gardner 6LXB 10.45 litre engine)
Eastern Coach Works H43/31F (13'8" height) body number 24914
24/8/81 Delivered to East Kent Road Car Co Ltd
9/81 to Thanet (Westwood) garage
5/85 Repaint (NBC Poppy Red)
9/87 Repaint (EK maroon and cream)
9/91 Repaint (EK maroon and cream)
2/96 Repaint (Stagecoach)
7/99 Repaint (Stagecoach)
26/8/99 Reserve fleet Thanet (Westwood) garage
29/10/99 to Thanet (Westwood) garage
5/12/00 unlicensed Thanet (Westwood) garage
14/2/01 sold to J Bamford (preservation)
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