above: Two views of our Western Welsh PS1 CUH856 taken during May 2008.  Now etch primed and undercoated, progress over the last year has been slow due to various factors not least the pressure of other work at the Scottish Vintage Vehicle Museum.  Upholstery has now been ordered and the paint top coat colour has been been selected, being the nearest match to the original Western Welsh livery of the mid 1950s to which period the vehicle is to represent.   Externally, the remaining work involves the re-making of the drivers door, emergency door and the fitting of the nearside passenger door along with the making and fitting of eight sliding saloon ventilator windows.  Internally floor covering ceiling panels and seating need to be fitted.

below: The four photos immediately below, taken on Sunday 20 May 07, show recent progress on 856's rebuild, which has unfortunately been held up for sometime due to pressure of work at the SVBM and the lack of appropriate side window pans, which are proving difficult to source.  This problem could be solved shortly as a suitable number of ECW Bristol K type pans may now be available.

856 n/s/r body outer shell awaits the fitting of n/s and o/s window pans. 20/5/07.

the o/s/r corner is shown in this view on 20/5/07.

this view shows the n/s/r doorway, body beading has been fitted, but window pans are required to complete the outer bodywork.

a clean and light, though bare interior looking to the rear of the saloon, brackets are in place to support the luggage racks, when fitted.

front wheels fitted with new cross-ply tyres and body frame now starting to look like a bus again 17 Feb 2006.

viewed from the o/s/r the additional body window support framing has been recently added 17 Feb 2006.

856 body frame with bulkhead in place Jan 2006.

856 radiator attached and close-up of reconstructed front bulkhead Jan 2006.

856 chassis with new body frame under construction at the SVBM Lathalmond in Fife. December 2005. 

856 showing the O/S/R looking forward across the newly laid flooring, the front bulkhead is yet to be fitted in this photo. December 2005.

Celtic's Stuart prepares to wind surf in the slip stream behind 856. taken before departure for the long journey home to Cardiff

856 arrives home after transfer to suspended tow for the final part of the journey home from Ripon.

now stripped 856 is prepared for it's trip to the SVBM for a complete rebuild a back to it's original condition.

Western Welsh PS1 856 at Bridgend circa 1955