Subject: Bristol O. C. C2709 (HAE 20)
Chassis: Bristol L5G
Body: BBW B32D
Location: Bristol, Broad Quay
Date: early 1950s

This view of C2709 shows these buses in their final Bristol condition. The front door was originally at the top of the steps but had been replaced with the sliding door seen here. The original number and destination display has been replaced by the later standard Bristol 18” deep rectangular display.

Originally these bodies were constructed with a floating cab, cantilevered from the body structure and not attached the front dash which was part of the chassis. This seems to have caused problems and probably led to very draughty cabs, so most were rebuilt with the cab firmly attached to the front dash. In Bristol days the unrebuilt ones could be most readily distinguished by the cream flash below the windscreen.

C2709 became Pontypridd 66 in 1952.

Photograph courtesy of the Bristol Vintage Bus Group.