SM106 was purchased for preservation from Emsworth and District at Southbourne in December of 1996 by the Clydemaster Preservation Group. Photographs show the recovery from alongside SMS637, which was ironic as this vehicle went on to become a significant donor of spares before she was scrapped in the Spring of 2004. It was the Clydemaster Group's intention to perform a complete restoration. Under the expert eye of Ian Barrett it was decided that the entire lower body required re-panelling, together with renewal of several of the support struts that extend the body side below floor level. All of the panelling was removed, and the majority of the offside repaired beautifully. A great deal of work was done inside on preparation for painting and renewal of the flooring. However, the impetus was lost and after a great deal of soul-searching it was concluded that they were not going to finish the job and could not afford the storage any longer.

By one of those cosmic coincidences, the author was browsing the net looking for pictures of SMA class vehicles after a chance conversation with Eddie Knorn in Birkenhead. Within the classified adverts on the web pages of the AEC Society was one for London Country Swift BPH106H. Initial contact led to a meeting to view the vehicle in the midst of a November downpour which caused flooding across southern England, but did not dampen enthusiasm for the vehicle. An agreement for sale was reached that day.

SM106 is loaded ready for the journey from Sussex. Photo © Paul Fletcher

Three months later, the nerve-wracking issue of how to move her came to a head when it was discovered that Andy Hamer of the Crosville Enthusiasts Club was seeking to move ex-Crosville Leyland National HFM 186N down to Mike Nash's depot for attention. The finances clicked, and Howley Quay Motors of Warrington performed the movements on 26-27th of February 2004. The blizzard that raged that morning along the North and West Wales coast kept us all on edge, but by lunchtime it had abated and everything went according to plan. Anglesey was reached at dusk and unloading was performed in fine but freezing conditions which turned the melted snow to an ice-rink.

SM106 tucked up in her new home on Anglesey. Photo © J. Wilkins

SM106 gets attention from Anglesey's only dedicated bus-washing facility. Photo © J.Wilkins

BPH was towed and pushed into her new home by a farm tractor and put to bed. The first operation was to wash away the heavy accumulation of road salt that was sprayed on during the move. The long-term effect on the inner steelwork or unpainted aluminium panelling would be disastrous. An extraordinary discovery was the pair of paint scrapers still lying on the roof despite a journey of nearly 300 miles, much of it on motorways! In September, BPH was joined in storage by the engine of donor vehicle SMS637, many other chassis parts of which were used in the rebuilding of the Gold Leaf Team Lotus racing-car transporter (MP2R071, LVT 480E), aka HMS Hethel. As of June 2005, this restoration has been completed, and what a fine sight she is!

HMS Hethel, AEC Swift LVT 480E with inmates. Photo © AUTOWEEK

In October 2004, following the resolution of other interests, a start was made towards the restoration of this very rare vehicle. Initially, a simple tidying of the contents of the bus was required. At this point she was a huge 3-D jigsaw puzzle without much of a picture to work from - although as time goes on more of the pieces are being identified. A problem rarely found with jigsaws is having more than one of each piece - thanks to the RM835 Group there are spares and new parts which have been garnered from stores and donor vehicles up and down the country. Thanks to Keith Wright for some good pictures of the exterior and interior before disassembly. One of the more troubling issues has been rivets, because the new panelling to date has been fixed with "Routemaster" rivets which have a smaller, harder head and are cosmetically pleasing. The trouble is that they are tough to insert, difficult to drill out and very expensive. Kevin McGowan (SMS369) vows that he wouldn't use them again, so I am tempted to revert to aluminium immediately.

One mystery has not been resolved satisfactorily. Although housings for the PA speakers were fitted throughout the inside and outside, plain blanking plates are fixed in their place, and no wiring for them exists inside the bodywork. I know this because I have removed the plate over one of the internal housings and checked. Yes, more rivets to replace! So the question is deepened - were the speakers fitted and subsequently removed at overhaul - together with the wiring - or were they never fitted?

SM114's un-modified luggage pen. Photo © J.Wilkins

The recovery of bits of grab-rails, interior trim and an unbroken steering wheel from yet another donor vehicle (MBA541) proceeded during December 2004 and January 2005. This vehicle also provided a kettle from the driver's locker, which will be very useful in future. Thanks to Keith Wright (MBA444) for these. Parts restored and fitted include the missing gear selector unit and a starter motor (SMS637). Refurbishment of the throttle cross-shafts and morse cable have also proceeded ready for the big day when batteries will be applied for the first time in a decade! The opportunity was also taken to visit the only extant sibling SM114 in the custody of Paul Brophy, and views obtained of the unique and un-modified luggage pen. A DMS from Eddie Knorn's collection yielded compatible handrail parts - the similarity between the SM and the lower deck of DMS vehicles is quite remarkable.