CWK205 (2009)

1960’s CCT TRIALS. T.W.MOORE


I came across a few notes the other day, that I jotted down in the early 1960’s concerning CCT bus trials such as having their interiors repainted in various colour schemes.

4 or 5 buses were involved, all Daimler CVG6’s, 190 had coffee and cream, 214 had light green and cream and 218 deep red and cream, another was gold and cream.

There were other trials too, earlier in 1960, 190 and 214 were reseated as 63 seaters to a H34/29 layout, having an extra seat fitted to the double seat at the rear of the upper deck and the two 3 seater seats in the lower saloon over the wheel arches became four seaters. Its more than likely this up-seating could have extended to further CVG6s. Doe’s anyone know?


Trials in 1961 involved fluorescent lighting, 98 and 196 were fitted throughout and 198 had fluorescent destination display only. 97 and 98 that had pioneered fluorescent lighting fitted all round when new, but, later bulbs were fitted in the fittings, so it was nice to see 98 return to its earlier feature. The power source in each of the trials was supplied by GEC transistorized units. 196 and 198 after the trials reverted to their original system, 98 continued to use the new system. Later in 1962 311 and 312 were both fitted with fluorescent lighting and CCT’s last batch of CVG6’s, 313-337 were all fitted with this type of lighting.

Of course in 1959 CVG6’s 217,219,221,223,225 arrived new with cream roofs, a trial that brought about the 22 ‘Festival’ buses 291-312 with cream roofs, delivered in September 1961…..50 years ago when most of this batch entered service on September 1st. It was a great pity that 313-337 reverted to maroon coloured roofs.

Were there other CCT trials we might discuss, doe’s anyone know?

Hi Tom

That's a brilliant revelation. I seem to remember that the seat next to the stairs was always a 3-seater, so was it the one in front, opposite the top of the stairs that was widened? I remember particularaly the one across the back being a 3-seater, because that was my favourite seat on the bus. Denton and Groves have a photo of the upper deck of 223, showing the 3-seater bench accross the rear.

Tom I remember my late father talking about a Daimler Fleetline being fitted with a fully automatic gearbox I think the fleet number was 41 or 42.This would have been 10 years before the fully automatic Metrobuses hit the roads do you know anything about this?

IT WAS 42 THAT WAS CONVERTED TO FULLY AUTOMATIC BY SELF CHANGE GEARS .THE GEARBOX WAS NOT CHANGED, IT JUST INVOLVED CHANGING THE ELECTRICAL AND INJECTION PUMP CONTROLS. I WAS INVOLVED IN THE ROAD TESTING OF 42 WITH THE SELF CHANGE FITTERS, I THINK THIS WAS ABOUT 1964--65. IT WAS REVERTED BACK TO MANUAL GEAR CHANGE DURING IT'S FIRST OVERHAUL IN SANDY LANE WORKS, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE REASON WHY.

Thankyou Colin I remember my father talking about this with other drivers they thought the gearchange was too jerky compared to the other fleetlines.