Seaside Open-Top Buses: 1969-99

When double-deck motorbuses were first introduced they were all open-top. Roofs were not permitted until the 1920s, but once they were the vagaries of the British climate dictated that they would normally be fitted. Many seaside towns introduced seasonal open-top services. Many of these towns had their own municipally owned bus fleets. Elsewhere, the liveries of company fleets such as Southdown, Devon General and Crosville could be found. As the services were seasonal it did not justify buying new vehicles for such work. Instead, older buses would be converted. From the 1960s it was possible to buy new vehicles fitted with a detachable roof, meaning that the buses could be utilised all year round, roof off during the summer and back on at other times. This book features seaside open-top buses in operation around England and Wales, starting at Southend-on-Sea and then working clockwise around the coast. Views at the Epsom Derby and some of the vehicles that have entered preservation are also featured.