General Motors produced a series of small bus chassis under the Chevrolet name in the late 1920s, up until 1931 when the UK production was rebranded as Bedford. In 1927 there was the LM model, followed by the LP in 1928, the LQ in 1929 and 1930, and the U in 1930 and 1931. After that Bedford produced a larger chassis that would take a twenty seater body, and many of these too came to London Transport, as the BD class.
Bus bodies for Home Counties bus operators were provided by a number of small bodybuilders, including Thurgood, Hoyal, Reall, Willmott, Furber, Metcalfe and Willowbrook, all 14-seaters.

Five LMs, two LPs, fifteen LQs, and thirteen Us came to London Transport in the series of takeovers during 1933 and 1934. Some were immediately withdrawn, never to turn a wheel in service with the Board. Others were accepted for a brief life in service. Two, already working in Romford, were accepted by Central Road Services, and became CH4 and CH5, and continued on their microbus services in that area until 1935. The rest went into Country Area service, briefly. Some at least received a repaint into green with black bands, with "General" fleetnames, and some "London Transport".

But they were too small for economic operation. London Transport was looking for maximum size one-man operated buses, ie twenty seats. The tiny buses were sold quickly, in 1934 and 1935, most going to A.J.Maffey of Woodford, or C&P Sales of SE15. Some went on to further service all over the UK, while some became living vans for showmen, or lost their bus bodies to become small lorries.

Ian's Bus Stop CH main text. CH histories CH photo refs GM BD