HISTORY- The chassis was built in I 949 by the Bristol Tramways & Carriage Co. Ltd. and was supplied to United with a standard Eastern Coach Works single-deck bus body.
- In 1960 it was converted to one-person-operation along with some 30 others. For this purpose, the driver and rear passenger doors were sealed up, and a new power door fitted at the front; the cab side screen was angled to allow a ticket machine to be fitted; and the bulkhead behind the driver's seat was cut away.
- The bus was sold by United in 1966 to J.T Bell (now Bellway Homes) for workmen's transport.
- Purchased by the Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Society in 1983, restored between 1989 and 1996. It is the only surviving example of the 30 modified.
- The bus has starred in the Yorkshire TV series Heartbeat and Catherine Cookson's TV drama Round Tower.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION- Chassis Bristol L5G
- Engine Gardner 5LW 5-cylinder 7.0 litre 94bhp (70.1 kW) @ 1700 rpm.
- Transmission Manual clutch with clutch-brake, 5 forward speed (non-synchromesh) and reverse gearbox.
- Top speed 52mph (83.7 km/h)
- Body Eastern Coachworks 35-seat single-deck bus
- Dimenions length 27' 6" (8.38 m) width 7' 6" (2.29 m) height 9' 10" (3.00 m)
- Weight 6 tons 9cwts 2 quarters (6.48 tonnes)
- United fleet number BG413
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