Classic Bristol Buses - The Bristol K, KS and KSW

Blow the notes - take me to the pictures

Notes

The Bristol K was first manufactured in 1936 and replaced the G-type as Bristol's production double-deck chassis. In 1950 , revised construction and use regulations allowed double deck vehicles to be 27' 6"  long and 8' wide, so the K became first the KS and then the KSW.  The KS appears to have been an intermediate development as both 7' 6" (the previous maximum width) and 8' wide bodied were fitted.  Even so, small numbers of KS chassis continued to be built until the end of KSW production in 1957, probably to provide a 7' 6" option where a narrow bus was required.  Both the K and the KS were bought by operators outside of the Tilling Group, however after the purchase of Tilling's bus companies by the British Government in 1948, once current orders had been fulfilled no more were supplied.  The K chassis was the first Bristol double-deck to be fitted exclusively with Diesel engines, the G having been fitted with either petrol or Diesel.  Gardner, AEC and Bristol's own Diesel engine were all available for fitment, however the KSW appears to have only been fitted with Gardner or Bristol engines.  The Bristol Diesel  was exclusively a 6-cylinder engine, whereas the Gardner could be had with either 4, 5 or 6 cylinders.   Those fitted to K types were usually 5 or 6 cylinders.  The usual engine codes were applied to Ks, thus a K6A had a 6-cylinder AEC engine, a KSW5G had a 5-cylinder Gardner engine.

Pictures:

Bristol Tramways 1941 K5G

Western National K

United Counties "Lowbridge" KSW

Bath Services "Lowbridge" KSW

Bristol Joint Services KSW

 

 

GHT 154

GHT 154

One of the earliest surviving Ks is this 1941 tram-replacement K5G, restored and maintained by the Bristol Vintage Bus Group.  It is shown at the Bristol Harbourside heritage event in 2006.  The body is the only known surviving example of a Brislington Body Works (BBW) double-deck.  It is shown in the old blue and white colours of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co.  As this vehicle is unique, a shot of the interior is also shown below.  Bristol's buses before World War 2 had the nickname "Bristol Blues" and the blue theme extends even to the tinted light bulbs!

Bristol's buses before World War 2 had the nickname "Bristol Blues" and, as can be seen,  the blue theme extends even to the tinted light bulbs!  The attention to detail and the period patina of this vehicle is a tribute to those who rebuilt it from a showman's wagon over a period of 20 years.

FTT 704

FTT 704

This picture shows the appearance of the standard post-WW2 K, with ECW standard height bodywork.  This bus was once owned by the Western National OmnibusCo. for whom it  carried fleet number 353.

 

FRP 692

FRP 692

This picture shows former United Counties fleet No.838. This shows the "Lowbridge"  ECW body - note the flattened roof line - on a KSW chassis.  The projecting dash panel below the driver's windscreen ( carrying the registration number plate) is a KSW identifying feature though it can be misleading as some rebodied K-types also had this feature.

 

OHY 938

 

OHY 938

A former Bath Services "Lowbridge" KSW, fleet No. L8089.  This bus has a long history in preservation, having been originally rescued by Peter Davey, the well-known Bristol historian.  It has recently had a make-over and here it is looking resplendent at the Bristol Vintage Bus Group rally in 2005.

UHY 360

UHY 360

The ubiquitous Bristol City ("Joint Services") KSW with "highbridge" ECW body.  The Lodekka was not initially meant to be a replacement for the KSW and many Tilling Group companies bought them until 1957.  This is fleet No. C8320.  A number of C8320's sisters survive in captivity, showing the longevity and robustness for which Bristol was rightly famous.
   

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Some other pages of interest:

The MW page

The RE Page

The Lodekka Page


 

All photographs were taken by me - Nigel Furness