FHN 833 - 1940 Bristol L5G

Eastern Coach Works B35F body

United Automobile No. BG 147 /

Greyhound (Sheffield) No. 23

Supplied new to United Automobile of Darlington, this bus spent its final working days from 1956 onwards with Greyhound of Sheffield, carrying workmen from the Lincoln area to power stations then under construction in the Trent Valley.

It was purchased for preservation by the Society in 1962 and restoration commenced in 1970, but proved to be problematical due to the intricate curved wooden body frame. Good progress has been made in recent years though and it is hoped that this very rare vehicle will once again be seen on the streets of Lincoln in the not too distant future - the exterior is now nearing completion, and attention will then turn to completing the interior.

Exact date unknown, but mid 80s, outside the old Museum building	Outside workshop, 2003	Outside Museum during November 2007 Open Day

November 2008 Update

During the summer the FHN team have been busy with the ongoing restoration of the United Bristol L5G as usual, though it has been a case of one-step forward, one step back in some areas.

Recent achievements include:

• Completing the destination assemblies front and rear,
• Restoring and fitting the saloon heater,
• Completing the piping for the heater,
• Restoring the passenger door cover plate,
• Preparing and fitting the window louvres,
• Restoring the horn,
• Further work on the nearside wing,
• Restoring the fire extinguisher,
• Stripping all the shellac from the interior wood,
• Completing the beading around the canopy,
• Fitting a new water pump,
• Painting the front of the chassis,
• Completion of the wiring

Views of FHN 833 in November 2008.

Disaster struck however when it was decided to restore the radiator grill, which required removal of the radiator. It was found that the bottom of the radiator had cracked sometime in the past and was not watertight. Repairing the heavy aluminium casting has just been completed thanks to a local specialist welder, but at one point it looked as if a very expensive new part would have to be cast specially.

Further bad luck struck when the drivers windscreen decided to shatter during restoration of the fixed lower half. Over the winter we hope to get the windows fitted at last. Once this is done we will be able to start work on the interior. To help with this we have been fortunate to discover some works photographs taken by Eastern Coach Works of a sister vehicle, which will help with the detail considerably.

Our current priority is to find a fourth opening window assembly (we have 3 already). If anyone knows where we can find such a window we would be delighted to know. If we cannot find the necessary parts we will have to commission construction of a new one, which will be very expensive.

The current FHN team who are all volunteers spend about 30 hours a week on the project on Monday and Wednesday evenings. We would welcome practical and especially financial help, as there are some expensive major projects still to be attempted.

• Buy and install Glass,
• Buy and install Lino,
• Buy and install Interior panelling,
• Make luggage rack stanchions,
• Make and fit rear seat,
• Paint the exterior,
• Full running gear service and MOT

So you can see any help would be gratefully received!

More about the restoration to date can be read here.