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Another amazing find by Jason, well done mate!.

At the risk of boring you to tears, I'll put my bus spotters anorak on
The bus enthusiast fraternity have always thought that the 74b is based on some Daimlers with Park Royal bodywork delivered to Sheffield Corporation in 1964/5. This isn't easy to prove conclusively as many early rear engined double deckers had very similar bodywork, but the Sheffield examples are as close as any to the 74b. They did have a window at the bottom of the stairs, but it was a different shape. Also, the windows didn't feature on later buses. Could the 74b have been following real-life practise - being introduced in 1966, or is there a valid diecasting reason for filling in?

Here is a link to the real thing if you're still awake (I work on the presumption that my bus anorak bores the crap out of everyone else on the planet....)
http://www.brindale.co.uk/ach/prv_site/ ... sc=Picture of a Daimler Fleetline Bus.

I would rather be stuck on a desert island with a bus anorak than a train anorak. That said i would swap both for Kelly Brook!!

Ewan, you and I and Mick SMS would get along just fine at a pub. I have been a 'Closet Busnut' for many years and still have a few left that belong on our 'old cars' pages here. 4 years ago I drove a 1948 Fitzjohn 850 miles back to our yard. That Bus had been parked in Michigan since 1975 when it was last used to attend the Indy 500 as a 'Converted Camper'. With a flathead 6 and a four speed stick we topped out at 45 MPH all the way home at an honest 10 miles per gallon, just as the widow had promised us.
I am way off topic now, but just had to let you know we do appreciate your Bus knowledge.
Casting wise, I see no reason for the filling of that side window other than the interior angle brace which really isn't necessary to the structure of it. As you say, perhaps the Bus design changed in real life and they cheated instead of removing it completely? I quickly checked all my spares including 4 in 'New Model' Boxes for any differences in the interiors, but I have none different than stock Jason. kwakers

Hi Dick.
Your 1948 Fitzjohn would have still beat my Routemaster in a race. It was governed to 42mph, The longest journey we took it on was 150 miles from London to Cricket St Thomas in Somerset which still took 7 hours, And my ears were still ringing hours after our arrival as there was only a sheet of ally between the driver and the 9.6 litre diesel engine.

I had the motor cover off the Fitzjohn for the trip Nick, but had brought a really quiet 'used' muffler for it with me. The sound of that flathead 6 forklift motor was quite soothing, but I think the cooling fan at the radiator was a bit louder than the Bus. We heated up a bit early on, I had to pull the radiator in a parts store parking lot within 20 miles of starting. I repaired a couple of leaks with 2 part epoxy the next morning, and we were off again. After burning out 2 electric fuel pumps in 100 degree heat, the gas cans were moved up front with me and 5 gallons were changed every 50 miles just as she promised. How many 30 foot long buses can get 10 MPG today? About 30 miles from home I had to replace the 'frayed to a string' fan belt, thus solving any heat problems a bit late in the trip.....LOL. The front route sign reads 'Charlotte', a city in Michigan, and we have called the bus 'Charlotte the Harlot' since first seeing it! What a fun experience saving that ol girl was. I bought the original Family Motor Coach Association aluminum Badges that were on it in the late 50s that are coach number 850 I believe. That Association does not re-use member's numbers, and they are now up above member number 600,000 today. I bought an early guide to that Club and the widow's name was there on that number together with the Fitzjohn brand Motorhome Conversion.......... I will probably offer it to the Hershey Car Museum's partner, a Bus restoration man/ collector/ preservationist one day. kwakers

Ewan wrote:At the risk of boring you to tears, I'll put my bus spotters anorak on
The bus enthusiast fraternity have always thought that the 74b is based on some Daimlers with Park Royal bodywork delivered to Sheffield Corporation in 1964/5. This isn't easy to prove conclusively as many early rear engined double deckers had very similar bodywork, but the Sheffield examples are as close as any to the 74b. They did have a window at the bottom of the stairs, but it was a different shape. Also, the windows didn't feature on later buses. Could the 74b have been following real-life practise - being introduced in 1966, or is there a valid diecasting reason for filling in?

Here is a link to the real thing if you're still awake (I work on the presumption that my bus anorak bores the crap out of everyone else on the planet....)
http://www.brindale.co.uk/ach/prv_site/ ... sc=Picture of a Daimler Fleetline Bus.

I suspect the 74b is Park Royal bodied because the factory wasnt far from Hackney in Southall .Those front destination screens + fitted front badge + design of engine shrouds should be enough to pin point the operator of the original 1:1 - London buses are my main focus so I will admit to NOT knowing who used this odd pattern of screens - maybe even an export customer!

Hi Dick.
I had a similar fuel problem with my transit van, for some reason the fuel pump stopped working, so I disconnected the fuel pipe and filled up the windscreen washer bottle, Then I connected the windscreen washer pipes to the carb, I got it running and every time the engine started to cut out I 'washed the winscreen' which refilled the carb, not to be recommended but it got me home lol.

Here should be a link to the front view of the Sheffield Daimler

http://www.brindale.co.uk/ach/prv_site/ ... 6_65-1.jpg

I think it's the destination screens that make the Sheffield example most likely as the real life bus, along with the fact that there is a cream 74b to go along with the red and green versions - a predominately cream livery was not terribly common on UK double deckers. The most noticeable difference is the lack of badge on the 1:1.

Anyway, apologies to Jason for hijacking this thread. That really is one fantastic find, and I'll shall put the anorak back in the closet for now