Bus Preservation & Rallies- The Early Years to 1980

The preservation of our transport heritage is something that the British excel at. The rally calendar section lists hundreds of events taking part every year. This has all developed since the 1950s. Prior to this a few far-sighted companies such as The London General Omnibus Company (later London Transport) had put aside some old vehicles but they were not on regular display. Private preservation started in the 1950s and the first clubs for preservationists were established such as the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club in 1958. A few early events were held, but the first regular event was the HCVC (now HCVS) London to Brighton Run which began in 1962 and has continued ever since. The Museum of British Transport, which would lead eventually to the London Transport Museum, The East Anglian Transport Museum at Carlton Colville and the Sandtoft Transport Centre all opened in the 1960s. But it would be the 1970s when the rallies and ‘Open Days’ we know today really began to take off.