Nick Larkin reports on the case of a classic double-decker which looks good, but needs significant investment to run again
Never judge on appearances, they say. This 1956 BMMO D7 double-decker may look in good order but there are horrors beneath the skin, and now Transport Museum Wythall has launched an appeal to raise £75,000 towards its restoration. XHA 482, Midland Red 4482, is the only existing restorable D7 from the 350 built. The bus received a cosmetic restoration in 2004 for the Midland Red 100 event and has since been on display in the museum looking ready for the road.
“However 4482 is hiding significant under-the-skin structural issues, beyond our ability to fund from current museum resources and therefore preventing its return to regular use on our free bus services,” said museum spokesman Denis Chick.
D7s could be found throughout Midland Red’s large territory and were very much a ‘work horse,’ especially in the Black Country, the final example being withdrawn from service in 1973. The museum is hoping for a full restoration of the bus to running condition, and has launched an appeal for funding.
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