373 WPU

©Ian Banks

Guy Arab MK1V 1961
with Massey Low Bridge Body
Reg no 373 WPU
Moore’s Bros of Kelvedon,
Eastern National 1048
Engine: Gardner 5LW
Transmission: 4 speed manual

373 WPU was supplied new to Moore’s in 1961 and was in main line service until the company sell out to Eastern National in 1963. It has a non-standard front known as a Johannesburg or South Africa. Moore’s routes radiated from their base in Kelvedon Essex as far south as Chelmsford, west to Braintree, north to Colchester and east to West Mersea as well as a summer express service to Great Yarmouth. Back in 1962 you could travel from Chelmsford to Maldon on route 17 for 1 shilling and 6 pence, 7½ in new pence. How times change! It continued in service with Eastern National until it was sold for preservation in 1974/5. In 1982, 373 WPU made an appearance in the 1982 British Comedy Film “The Boys In Blue” starring Tommy Cannon & Bobby Ball. Filmed at Elstree Studios Hertfordshire, the bus was used by Cannon & Ball to pursue fleeing art villains.