Unique Stagecoach heritage fleet bus known for Goodwood Revival is coming to Amberley Museum, thanks to The Southdown Omnibus Trust Collection

A unique survivor of its type, Leyland Titan TD1 is a former Southdown Motor Services bus with the number plate UF 4813 and it will soon be joining the trust's fleet within the museum's collection.

The bus went into service from new in the summer of 1929 and it came to Stagecoach following its acquisition of the successors to Southdown Motor Services.

It has been preserved as part of Stagecoach's Heritage Fleet and has been a regular sight on the roads of Sussex and Hampshire for many years, and as a regular visitor to events and rallies in the south of England, including Goodwood Revival.

The bus, with its traditional Southdown apple green and primrose yellow livery, adorned with period advertisements, has been acquired by the trust from Stagecoach. It will be arriving at Amberley Museum later in the year, after some maintenance work is completed and new parts are fitted to the front wheels. It will then joins the trust’s other vehicles at the museum, where it will be preserved.

Originally number 813 in Southdown’s fleet, the bus has a Leyland TD1 chassis fitted with an open-top, double-deck body by Brush of Loughborough. It is historically significant because it is one of the first buses built on a specially-designed low chassis, enabling passengers to board via a platform that was much lower than had previously been available. This feature became part of British double-decker design right through until the mid 1960s.

The trust’s fleet of seven other former Southdown buses dating from 1914 to 1937 can be seen at Amberley Museum. Visitors will be able to ride on the buses at the annual bus shows and some special museum events. The first outing for UF 4813 under the trust's ownership will be the spring bus show on Sunday, April 30. Visit www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/whats-on for more information.