SALUTE TO DEVON GENERAL
ROGER MALONE catches up on a restoration project that is bringing a venerable Devon bus back to life
COURTESY of some long-term tender loving care, a Leyland Lion is gradually getting its roar back.
Michael Bojanitz, who has owned the former Devon General Omnibus vehicle for two years, is restoring it back to pristine condition. He is working on the bus, which is based at Winkleigh, one, sometimes two days a week. Patience and dedication to the cause are what has ensured steady progress. Michael has already enjoyed the satisfaction of firing the engine up, and is currently concentrating the body work. He has hopes of completing the job, and taking the bus out to various rallies in 2020.
First registered in 1933, the Leyland Lion LT5 had quite a chequered career before fortunately being rescued for preservation.
Its period of conveying passengers along the pleasantly palm treed routes of Torbay was to be unceremoniously cut short. In 1939 the bus was requisitioned by the Royal Air Force for wartime service.
Despite being officially written off, it re-appeared in June 1946 when it was registered to Banfield of London with a new registration number of HUC273.
“In about 1955 it passed to a showman, before becoming a store caravan at Little Common, Bexhill,” says Michael.
Then, in 1979, it passed to a bus enthusiast living in Meopham in Kent. A year later it was acquired by the late Colin Shears, creator of the
West of England Transport Collection, and brought back to Devon where it has remained based at Winkleigh. Colin had the LKeyland Lion re-registered to its original registration of OD5868.
“He re-registered it because the original identity is all part of its history. If you lose that you lose the history,” says Michael.
Since acquiring the vehicle as a restoration project, on the understanding it would be restored to its original specification, Michael has made much progress.
“Fortunately it was mechanically complete. I have had the engine running and it runs beautifully,” he says.
The Leyland Lion driver’s cab is basic, almost primitive by today’s standards. The steering wheel, hand brake and gear stick, are still covered with a patina of rust. But, thankfully, the cab is all complete and awaiting rewiring as another job along the restoration road to working order.
“A friend helped to repair the metal work. We managed to save what we could from the original. All the back end of the bus is original body work, as are the majority of the window frame mechanisms – but we had to replace the glass which had to be cut to size.”
Because there were some original sections on the vehicle’s side still remaining these were able to be used as patterns for missing bits. “During the time the bus was owned by a showman its sun roof was taken out and the roof was raised. I have put that back to what it was, which included remaking the sliding roof. The roof is a wooden frame with metal over it, and that is then fabric covered.”
Mike says there were only four such buses fitted with a sunshine roof – and they all worked in coastal areas.
When the Leyland Lion reaches the stage of being painted it will appear in the distinctive former Devon General Omnibus livery of maroon body with a cream band and black roof and wings.
“I enjoy the challenge of working on the bus. I thrive on it,” says Michael.
“I get the pleasure out of the fact that we are restoring it and putting it back on the road – and knowing it will there for future generations to see and appreciate a piece of transport history.”
Michael also owns a 1946 Plymouth City Transport PD1 which was withdrawn from service in 1960. It was rescued by Colin Shears in 1969 and brought to Winkleigh.
The double decker, which has the distinction of being the first Plymouth City Transport vehicle to be preserved, was purchased by Michael in 2014 and a full restoration was carried out. It now puts in frequent appearances at various vintage rallies.