SCT '61
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Photo © Peter Cook. Please do not re-post without permission.

Southern National 373, GTA395, is a Bristol L5G originally new in 1941 with a B35F body by Strachans.
According to the history of WNOC/SNOC by Crawley & Simpson, Bristol supplied 15 surplus L type chassis frames to the companies after they went over entirely to production of 30' chassis, these having been intended for Royal Blue coaches on order at the time. They were stored in the yard at Bideford Works on the bank of the Torridge until 1953 when it was decided to use them to lengthen some existing L types. The history suggests this was done by drawing a line across both chassis and cutting one through the necessary distance in front of the line and the other the same distance behind it and then gluing the two longer parts back to each other. This is not exactly what was done as that would result in the whole of the additional length ending up as part of the wheelbase and if you compare the picture of 377 with this photo it will be apparent that at least a portion of the extra length is in the rear overhang. Anyway, the principle is there. It was rebodied by BBW with a B39R saloon body which was delivered in February 1954.
Preservation. 377 was owned by the 345 group which had 3 members, 2 of whom are no longer involved. At sometime in the 1980s it was involved in a collision which I understand happened at a WETC open day. Work started on the repairs but was never completed which is why the battery box covers off the nearside are on top of the offside seat backs inside. I think the picture probably shows the bus on almost its only trip out of the shed since the mid- to late 1980s.

Photo taken by Peter Cook, Saturday 19 March 2011, Winkleigh (Airfield)

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Photo ref: wn373. Page and photo added July 2022
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