1952 Guy GS28

Registration No: BSV 910
Chassis No: 11033
MOT: Exempt

Motor Car Location: Powys

• Purchased by Ronnie Lane Enterprises and used as the tour bus from 1974
• Discussed in Eric Clapton’s biography, and featuring on the album imagery on ‘One for the Road’ by ‘Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance’, The Passing Show and the BBC feature on Ronnie Lane
• Owned by the present keeper for circa 40 years and preserved as used by Ronnie Lane

The GS or ‘Guy Special’ was a range of 84 vehicles designed by London Transport to replace the pre-war Leyland Cubs on rural country routes. Based upon the Guy Vixen chassis and powered by a Perkins 6-cylinder engine. The last examples of the GS class (33 and 42) were withdrawn from public service on 30th March 1972. This bus, GS28, was originally registered as MXX 328 and supplied to London Transport, with full-service history sheet provided with the Guy.

Not only is this one of a scarce line of buses produced, the bus was purchased in March 1974 by Ronnie Lane Enterprises to be used a band transport for Ronnie Lane, best known as the bass guitarist and founding member of two prominent English rock and roll bands: Small Faces (1965–69) and subsequently Faces (1969–73), before Slim Chance.

The ex-London Transport Guy was converted into motorhome specification after being purchased by Ronnie Lane following being retired from service, featuring home-built interior, rear bedroom, mid-section dinette, kitchenette and woodburning stove. The Guy was then driven to a farm in Fishpool, Wales where Ronnie had purchased the farm, visiting Eric Clapton at Hurtwood on the way (as mentioned in his biography).

Featuring on the album rear of Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance’s record ‘One for the Road’ where it is depicted with the showman's caravan which the bus was used to tow named "Queenie" for The Passing Show. The engine was said to have been blown by Ronnie and associates during a motorway journey. A Perkins agency in Hereford called Prales, supplied and fitted a fully reconditioned the engine before a local individual drove the Guy back from Hereford to Fishpool.

Gifted by Ronnie to the vendor in 1980 having been a roadie and driver for Ronnie during the Passing Show UK tour in the 1970’s, and upon his return to London following MS diagnosis. By that time, the bus was running but the body was requiring restoration, which is duly received, and since then it has been preserved by the owner to as close to Ronnie’s specification as possible while mechanically maintained. Still displaying features such as his pipe rack, and the London Transport exit and precaution signs on the walls.

Offered with a full UK V5C, six spare wheels and five original seats. The bus has in recent times been subject to an alternator conversion (although the original dynamo is supplied should someone which to return to original), as well as brake re-shoeing and new tyres four years ago.

A fantastic piece of history in buses and more significantly music.

Vendor Condition Ratings:

Bodywork: ‘Good’
Engine: ‘Excellent’
Electrical Equipment: ‘Good’
Paintwork: ‘Average’ – Hand Finished
Gearbox: ‘Excellent’
Interior Trim: ‘Good’
Chassis: ‘Very Good’

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452