One Hundred Years of AEC in the West Country, by Philip Platt and John Sykes

One Hundred Years of AEC in the West Country, by Philip Platt and John Sykes
One Hundred Years of AEC in the West Country, by Philip Platt and John Sykes, subtitled 'A pictorial tribute to the many lorry and bus models operated by companies in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset'

Booklet published by the Historic Omnibus and Transport trust in 2012, 58 pages. A5 size booklet (N5850PE)

From the introduction: The Associated Equipment Company (AEC) was established in 1912 by the London General Omnibus Company with the initial purpose of designing and manufacturing bus chassis suitable for use on its demanding services in the capital. Hitherto, a growing number of manufacturers had produced products that had proved both unreliable and unsuitable. A works was established at Walthamstow in East London and soon production commenced in quantity of the 'B' type normal-control petrol­ engined chassis. It quickly proved to fulfil all that was expected of it and gained an excellent reputation that saw nearly 5,200 being produced up to 1919. The First World War of 1914 - 1918 saw the need for mechanically propelled vehicles and the government placed large orders with manufacturers, AEC developing the Y type chassis for this need. It was produced in large quantities at Walthamstow. In addition over 1,100 London General B type buses were commandeered by the military to convey troops to the front lines in France and Belgium. At the end of hostilities, many of the surviving 'Y' type lorries were sold at auction and passed to civilians who started enterprising road haulage, bus and charabanc businesses...

The West Country was no exception, indeed the fledgling Devon General bus company was established in 1919 using a trio of AEC double-decks built on chassis purchased from the War Department. The Great Western Railway had established a Road Transport division as early as 1903 and by 1919 was using Y type chassis for both passenger and goods purposes in the area.

Over the years AEC vehicles made a significant contribution to the economical and commercial success for many users in the westcountry. This book is a personal tribute and celebration of that achievement that all began a century ago...


The booklet is packed full with black and white photographs showing the vehicles themselves (usually with two photographs per page).

The condition of the booklet is generally excellent. The covers are clean and bright, the staple spine is tight and intact, and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound. There is a small price sticker on the rear side cover.
Condition New