GM Buses Leyland Atlantean 8701.

A quick update from the powder coaters. The majority of the upper deck seats have now been chemical treated and shot blasted.

Given their removed condition, particularly the seat rail legs, they have been restored brilliantly. The coating will be applied over the weekend, ready for collect next week.

I have recently had to remove and block quite a number of individuals from following 8701s restoration page. Not all, but a certain few have deemed it acceptable to make fabricated publications about me on various bus preservation platforms.

I am very open to feedback regarding 8701, be that positive or negative, and I will always welcome that. What I will not tolerate is kook individuals or anyone for that matter becoming personal or for individuals becoming personal with each other on this page.

This site was set up to allow other enthusiasts to join the progress of the restoration, it has also given me much needed motivation, especially at times when I have regularly questioned the project.

This page was not created to be conceited, boast nor to draw comparisons with other similar restorations. Above all it’s about my own personal pride and my own vision of how I wanted the restoration to run and how I want the end result to look.

But for reference, a ten gallon paint make over held together with porosity welding just wouldn’t cut it for my own restoration.

A busy weekend, the upper deck deep clean is finally finished, well, except for the floor. All floor decorative trim, cleaned and polished, including the ceiling bell push. The hopper window frames have been descaled, scrubbed and buffed, final touches made also to the two seat rails.
The remaining three seat frame legs have now been removed, allowing for the brackets to be sanded during my next visit. All other brackets have received their final coats of paint this weekend.
With time on my side, the two heater cowls were sanded, what a messy task that was. Both receiving their first coat of paint and what a difference it’s made to the overall look.

“Salt and Pepper”

The plan from the very beginning of 8701’s restoration was to always return the bus to its closest original condition as possible. A difficult challenge when restoring a 42-year-old vehicle, especially when sourcing products that are now obsolete.

Work has commenced with mirroring the upper saloon to the same standard as the downstairs. A major stumbling block with this aspect was sourcing the seat moquette required to achieve this.

Camira Transport Fabrics were recently approached to ascertain if they would be able to weave the original design. I’m please to say that today I took delivery of 100meters of brand-new Salt and Pepper moquette.

Naturally, an order of this level comes at a premium and has only been possible thanks to the following consortium members, SELNEC Preservation Society and the Wigan Transport Trust for which I am tremendously grateful.

"So, it begins"

A rare midweek day off has seen more prep work taking place on the upper deck. I’m pleased to say, and my fingers will, that I am now at the halfway point with cleaning and polishing the nearside seat rail.

What a task, the level of dirt and oxidisation compared to the offside is striking. “It’s not only about aesthetics”. It’s a necessary evil, protecting the rail will safeguard the newly powder coated frames. Once the rail is completed work can begin with painting the heater vent cowlings.

Thirteen of the nineteen seat floor brackets have now had a second coat of paint. Once finished, this will allow attention to focus on detailing the floor.
Something exciting is due for delivery any day, something that will complete the entire interior restoration, stay tuned!

“Sort of restoration related”

Recently enquiries were made with another preservationist regarding the Wayfarer ticket machines, particularly the bobbins, and if there is a way of reinking them. The person in question generously offered up some new old stock ones to tidy me over until a work round is found with keeping these 1980s machines going.

I guess there’s no point having a stockpile of GM branded tickets rolls without the ink to match!

Very pleased!

"Isn't she big!”

Yesterday saw the complete strip out of the upper deck interior, given the working temperatures, I think it was me that needed to strip…!
Separating 42-year-old seats and handles has been a huge challenge, but necessary for the frames to be coated. Thankfully, a task that won’t need to be revisited, the remaining 17 frames are now with the powder coaters.

Work has begun with giving the saloon a deep clean in preparation for the interior painting to begin. Cleaning the offside seat rail has been hand breaking and I still have the nearside to go…! The offside floor brackets have been sanded ready for painting; removing them for blasting and coasting was too much of a risk.

A productive little afternoon, two new mirror arm brackets fabricated and painted in readiness for fitting the new arms and mirrors.

“A little obsessive”

I seem to have built a steady collection of original GM themed ticket rolls for the working Wayfarer ticket machine; I guess I won’t be running low anytime soon.

The operators discs have arrived, they have been perfectly reproduced for the preserved vehicle scene by Decal Central/British Transport Advertising One will be fitted to 8701 for aesthetics purposes only, hence the notable differences.