Preservation vs Conversion

[Jonathan Smith]

What do you think?

Are you a hard core preservationist? Or are you happy to see buses used as motorhomes?

[Steve]

I did arrange storage with a preservation society and was shunned when they heard of our intentions, blaming there new charity status and charter. In addition to the 60 pound/month fee and our offer to give free labour when required it was no go.

My thoughts are that yes i may be mutilating but i have saved it from the chop.

People preserve buses in various states, some being delivery day, a stage in the service or as last used.

Has any one preserved in bus in other typical uses ? eg. a playbus or motorhome. My bro had never heard or seen a playbus they are not typical in all areas of britain.

Steve

[tony edwards]

hi i saved my 1969 bedford val from being scraped it was a race transporter i have found over the years fellow owners helpfull : )its the blokes with the books and photos :

[matthewdidier]

I'd hope this was a "no brainer", but I agree... the fellows with the books and photos are SHOCKED that we, the great unwashed, would even THINK about "modifying" these rolling deities... and yet, many of them are perfectly happy to see them scrapped!

Armchair generals telling the world that these buses MUST be preserved, and yet, precious few even try to do that... I assume they expect the preservationist groups to suddenly spring forth with an unlimited cash supply and "rescue" the buses from us heathens... but they can sit and do squat except complain about the TERRIBLE missuse of those of us thinking of doing conversions.

I say "Keep 'em rolling and useful!" and provided they are being looked after, who cares what the "use" is... better than the scrap pile!

Please note that I did "strike a deal" that SEEMS to keep the hardcore preservationists at bay by PROMISING (and I'll keep this promise) that when I get my bus, all original parts will be preserved, stored and cared for so that they may be used in a FUTURE preservation scheme ONCE I'M DONE WITH THEM.

This seems to have pacified a few of them... that, and some of them truly understand my passion for these vehicles.

_____________________________
Matthew James Didier
www.helpmakemydreamcometrue.com/

The universe is not indifferent to intelligence, it is actively hostile to it.

[matthewdidier]

Here's a posting to the Yahoo! group "British Buses Abroad in North America" which I tried to post but was held in limbo for a few hours... It's in response to some über preservationists who were saying that people that sold their buses for "conversion" (especially to overseas interests) should be, and I am quoting, "strung up"...

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I've been reading the thread that sprung off onto this topic, and I thought I'd chime in...

I've built a website and information devoted to my (hopeful) ownership and my plans for a British bus... two, actually... and have received many e-mails of support... and several bordering on threats and imprecations as I'm (apparently) sullying these wonderful vehicles by suggesting using them for something other than a rolling museum piece.

Although I admire the preservationists and really respect their work and efforts, I don't truly see the harm in using the vehicles for work and/or pleasure and NOT as perfectly preserved machines. Provided the buses are cared for and future preservation could be done, what's the harm? Are these vehicles not supposed to be running? Aren't they supposed to be productive? Shouldn't they give someone other than a pure preservationist joy?

The way some folks behave, I'd liken it to Bedouins suddenly demanding that all Arabian breed horses be returned to their homeland as that is where they originated and the "rest of us" are using them in the wrong fashion.

Sadly, as someone who's a true enthusiast/fan of these vehicles, I do have to note how many are in scrap yards across the UK so one can't really say things are "better" there in my humble opinion... they may be a touch better, but to cast dispersions on those of us who simply enjoy the aesthetic of these vehicles and see them for possible personal enjoyment AND to keep them rolling wherever that may be, why is it so "horrible"? If the "pure preservationists" feel so strongly, why not work with those who wish to use them for personal use to ensure that they WILL be cared for and they WILL be ready for a possible future of being restored to the n'th degree? This might help those that DO end up in the scrap... or in rust-piles in someone's field.

Education and sharing of information might really go a long way to keeping these buses in tip-top shape... and may secure their future in any capacity.

Another thing I'd liken this to... I'm a War of 1812 re-enactor... we go out in early nineteenth century clothes and fight "mock" battles (with all due safety) at historic sites in and around my home province and in the states... There are some in THAT hobby that feel that unless a person is 100% accurate, they should not be allowed in the field... meaning I, who sports a neat beard, should NOT be allowed to participate despite my financial, time and genuine study commitment... and my love of bringing history to the masses.

We often point out that SHOULD we go 100% historically accurate, health and safety would take a beating AND about 70% of those who do take the field (and entertain and educate the masses) would have to leave the hobby.

Well, if we limit these vehicles to the use that a (fortunately) minority seem to feel is proper, it seems to me MOST of them would be off the road entirely and no one could enjoy them except for a "favoured few".

Anyway, I'm just saying I'd rather see some in private hands being converted to a lesser degree than rusting away to nothing waiting for those who feel they are bastions of the pure to run to the rescue...

Looking to save RLH 3 from who-knows-what...

Matthew Didier

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Place you bets, folks... betcha some über preservationist manages to find and "rescue" RLH 3 and FNW 706 before I even get close to getting out of the gate... After all, I'm not planning on "worshipping at this rolling shrine", but planning on actually (GASP!) using it as a working vehicle.

What can I tell you... I'm a HERETIC!

www.doubledeckerbuses.org/dreamscometrue/index1.htm