The LONDON TRANSPORT Ford Transits

This page created 5th April 2001, updated 22nd June 2006.

FS histories

These histories are incomplete. They are being assembled from data from a variety of sources, as and when I have time. The resources vary in quality, and I have been known to make errors too!

Particularly helpful has been:



FS    JUD 103L           Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F demonstrator
                 1972 HT demonstrator: hired to LT: used on C11
                 5/73    returned to Strachans


FS1   MLK 701L   8/72    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                 8/72 E  trainer (Enfield)
                 9/72 E  into service on W9
                11/76 E  into store
                 2/77 CA change store: withdrawn (Clapham)
                 1978 CA in store
                 1/79 CA in store 
                 1/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by Neill's Cosy Cars, East Cowes IOW

FS2   MLK 702L   8/72    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                 9/72 E  into service on W9 (Enfield)
                 1973 E  used on W9
                10/74    prepared for use on Dial-a-Ride
                 2/76 SW transfer for P4 (Stockwell)
                 7/76    into store
                 77-8    in store
                 7/79 CA in store, withdrawn (Clapham)
                 1/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by Priory Coaches, Gosport, Hants

FS3   MLK 703L   9/72    new: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                 9/72 E  into service on W9 (Enfield)
                11/76 E  into store
                 2/77 CA change store: withdrawn (Clapham)
                 1978    in store
                 7/79 CA in store 
                 4/80    sold to Ensign Bus, (Purfleet)
                         bought by Priory Coaches, Gosport, Hants for spares

FS4   MLK 704L   9/72    new: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F
                 9/72 E  used on W9 (Enfield)
                12/72 HT transfer for C11 (Highgate)
                 1/73 E  return
                12/75 E  in store
                12/75 TB transfer for B1 (Bromley)
                      FY (Finchley)
                 7/76 TB transfer
                12/76 SW transfer (Stockwell)..
                12/76 CA ..withdrawn into store (Clapham)
                 77-8    in store
                 7/79 CA in store, withdrawn 
                 1/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet)  
                         bought by Dack, Terrington St Clements, Norfolk
 
FS5   MLK 705L   9/72    new: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                 9/72 SW trainer, then into service on P4 (Stockwell)
                 2/77 SW in store
                 2/77 CA change store: withdrawn (Clapham)
                12/77 FY reinstated (Finchley)
                 1/78 CA withdrawn again
                 5/78 FY reinstated
                 9/79 FY withdrawn
                 8/80    bought by Ensignbus: used on PLA service         
                         bought by Petes Coaches, Haynes, Beds

FS6   MLK 706L   9/72    new: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                 9/72 SW trainer, then into service on P4 (Stockwell)
                 3/74 E  transfer (Enfield)
                 5/74 SW return
                12/76    into store
                 77-8    in store
                 7/79 CA in store, withdrawn (Clapham)
                 1/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by BE&VA Talbot, Rowner, Gosport.

FS7   MLK 707L   9/72    new: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                 9/72 SW into service on P4 (Stockwell)
                11/75 TB transfer for B1 (Bromley)
                 9/76 SW transfer for P4 (Stockwell)
                12/76 CA withdrawn into store (Clapham)
                      PB (Potters Bar) for PB1
                 9/79 PB withdrawn
                 2/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by Clintona Coaches, Brentwood, Essex for spares

FS8   MLK 708L   9/72    new: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                 9/72 SW into service on P4 (Stockwell)
                12/72 HT transfer for C11 (Highgate)..
                12/72 SW ..return
                 8/75 SW into store
                 9/76 SW service on P4
                      E  (Enfield)
                12/76 SW transfer (Stockwell)..
                12/76 CA ..withdrawn into store (Clapham)
                 77-8    in store
                 7/79 CA in store, withdrawn
                 1/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                 8/80    bought by A.A Travel, Hardway, Gosport
                         bought by Emsworth & District

FS9   MLK 709L  10/72    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                10/72 TB trainer, then into service on B1 (Bromley)
                 73-5 TB
                 1/76 E transfer for W8 (Enfield)
                12/76 SW transfer for P4 (Stockwell)
                 2/77 SW in store (Stockwell)
                 2/77 PB change store (Potters Bar)
                 3/77 PB used on PB1
                      E
                 4/78 PB return
                 8/79 PB into store
                10/79 PB withdrawn, kept in store
                 2/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by Woodcock, Chadderton, Greater Manchester

FS10  MLK 710L  10/72    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                10/72 TB trainer, then into service on B1 (Bromley)
                 7/75 TB into store
                 1/76 E  transfer for W8 (Enfield)
                12/76 FY transfer (Finchley)
                 2/77 FY into store
                 2/77 CA change store: withdrawn (Clapham)
                 1978 CA in store
                 7/79 CA in store 
                 1/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by Dack, Terrington St Clements ,Norfolk

FS11  MLK 711L  10/72    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                10/72 Q  into store (Camberwell)..
                10/72 TB ..into service on B1 (Bromley)
                      FY (Finchley)
                 8/77 CA transfer into store: (Clapham)
                 9/77 FY return
                 1978 FY
                11/79 FY withdrawn
                 1/80 FY in store
                 7/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by Compolite Ltd, Finchley, N2

FS12  MLK 712L  10/72    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                10/72 HT trainer, then into service on C11 (Highgate)
                 8/75 E  transfer (Enfield)
                 2/76 SW transfer for P4 (Stockwell)
                      SW in store
                 9/76 SW service on P4
                12/76 CA withdrawn into store (Clapham)
                 9/77 CA withdrawn, then reinstated to store (Clapham)
                 1/78 FY return to service (Finchley)
                10/79 FY withdrawn again
                 2/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
              by 4/82    bought by Miles, Gelligaer
                         bought by Farrelly, Neath, South Wales

FS13  MLK 713L  10/72    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                10/72 HT trainer, then into service on C11 (Highgate)
                 8/75 SW transfer: used on P4 (Stockwell)
                 5/76 TB transfer for B1 (Bromley)
                      SW (Stockwell)
                12/76 CS to Chiswick experimental
 2063F           1977    transfer to service fleet
                 1978    service fleet
                 1/79 CA withdrawn into store (Clapham)
                 8/79    sold to Ensign Bus (Purfleet) 
                 7/82    bought by Munro of Jedburgh, Borders

FS14  MLK 714L  10/72    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                10/72 HT trainer, then into service on C11 (Highgate)
                 8/75 SW transfer: used on P4 (Stockwell)
                 5/76 TB transfer for B1 (Bromley)
                12/76 FY transfer (Finchley)
 2064F           1977    transfer to service fleet
                 1980    still in service fleet
                         bought by Castle School, Newbury, Berks

FS15  MLK 715L  10/72    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                10/72 HT into store, then into service on C11 (Highgate) 
                      HT used on C11 (Highgate)
                 8/75 TB transfer: used on B1 (Bromley)
                12/76 TB withdrawn..
                12/76 CA ..into store (Clapham)
                 77-8    in store
                 7/79 CA in store, withdrawn (Clapham) 
                 1/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by Lock, Brentwood, London

FS16  MLK 716L  10/72    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                10/72 HT trainer, then into service on C11 (Highgate)
                 73-7 HT
                 4/78 CA withdrawn into store (Clapham)
                11/78 FY reinstated
                      FY used on H2 (Finchley)
                10/79 FY withdrawn
                 4/80    sold to Ensign Bus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by Clintomia Coaches, Brentwood, Essex
                         bought by Eagle-Line Minicoaches, Bulphan
                         sold to S.M.A.C. 
                 */92    bought by Kevin Jennings: preserved
                 */99    bought by Keith Bullions, Hornchurch

FS17  MLK 717L   1973    new: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                      HT used on C11 (Highgate)
                11/75 E  transfer for W8 (Enfield)
                 3/77 PB used on PB1
                 1978 PB
                10/79 PB withdrawn
                 2/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by Clintona Coaches, Brentwood, Essex for spares


FS18  MLK 718L   1973    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                 7/73 HT into service on C11 (Highgate)
                 8/73 SW transfer for P4 (Stockwell)
                      E  (Enfield)
                11/73 TB transferfor B1 (Bromley)
                 9/74 CS to Chiswick Experimental: repainted for Dial-a-Bus 
                10/74 FY transfer (Finchley) for Hampstead Dial-a-Ride
                12/76    into store
                 77-8    in store
                 7/79 CA in store, withdrawn (Clapham)
                 1/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                         bought by Blue Lake Coaches, Chicester.

FS19  MLK 719L   8/73    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                      SW (Stockwell)
                 9/74 CS to Chiswick Experimental: repainted for Dial-a-Bus  
                10/74 FY transfer (Finchley) for Hampstead Dial-a-Ride
                      FY (Finchley)
                 8/77 CA transfer into store: (Clapham)
                 1/78 FY return to service
                 3/79 FY into store
                 4/79 FY ..and out
                 1/80    in stock
                      FY repaired with parts from FS21
                10/81 FY trainer
                 1/82    trainer
                 5/83 PM radio trainer (BUSCO): red, off-white band
                 2/84    with LT, radio trainer
      (418 GP)  12/84 GM with curtains, bench seating, radio trainer
                 5/85 CS Chiswick experimental
                 3/86 PM radio trainer 
                 9/86    bought by Mr Pitt, Heston ,Middx for preservation
                 9/97    bought by Keith Bullions, Hornchurch
                         scrapped

FS20  MLK 720L   8/73    new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Strachans DP16F, 1FS1
                11/73 HT into service (Highgate)
                 9/74 HT trainer: repainted for Dial-a-Bus 
                10/74 FY transfer (Finchley) for Hampstead Dial-a-Ride 
                 5/77 FY used on H2
                 1/78 CA withdrawn into store (Clapham)
                 7/79 CA in store
                 9/79 FY reinstated for H2
                12/79 FY withdrawn
                 2/80    sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) 
                 8/80    bought by Chivers, Elstead
                         bought by Connolly, Corby, Northamptonshire. 

SCG 385M Dormobile demonstrator 10/74 FY hired as extra for Hampstead Dial-a-Ride 4/75 returned to Dormobile
FS21 GHM 721N 3/75 new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Dormobile, DP16F, 2FS2 E (Enfield) 2/77 FY transfer (Finchley) for H2 1977 FY used on H2 9/77 CA withdrawn into store (Clapham) 1978 CA in store 7/79 CA in store 9/79 FY reinstated for H2.. 9/79 PB ..transfer for PB1 1/80 FY transfer into store 2/80 E transfer 3/80 FY return 9/80 FY into store cannibalised by LT to repair FS19 7/81 sold to Ensignbus, (Purfleet) bought by Harris, Harmondsworth bought for spares, Normends Travel, Rowlands Castle FS22 CYT 22V 10/79 new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Dormobile, DP16F, 2FS2 10/79 CS to Chiswick experimental 10/79 PB into service on PB1 1979 FY transfer 9/83 PB transfer while As back at Dodgey City 2/84 FY with LT 5/85 FY 3/86 in store at AEC Southall FS23 CYT 23V 11/79 new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Dormobile, DP16F, 2FS2 12/79 PB into service on PB1 5/83 trainer 2/84 FY with LT 5/85 in store at AEC Southall 3/86 in store at AEC Southall bought bt Taw & Torridge, Devon FS24 CYT 24V 11/79 new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Dormobile, DP16F, 2FS2 11/79 CS to Chiswick experimental 11/79 FY into service on H2 80-3 FY 2/84 FY with LT 10/84 FY in use on H2 5/85 FY 3/86 FY trainer 2/88 FY repaint 7/89 FY into store 4/90 PB transfer (Potters Bar) 7/90 FY transfer 91-2 FY 4/93 FW transfer into store (Fulwell) FS25 CYT 25V 11/79 new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Dormobile, DP16F, 2FS2 12/79 PB into service on PB1 12/79 FY transfer for H2 12/83 FY used on H2 2/84 with LT 5/85 FY 3/86 in store at AEC Southall B change store (Battersea) 4/87 B repainted 7/87 loaned to West Midlands PTE for driver training (Summer Lane) 2/88 in store at AEC 5/88 FW change store (Fulwell) 1/89 bought by 10th Finchley Scout Group FS26 CYT 26V 11/79 new to Aldenham: Ford Transit/Dormobile, DP16F, 2FS2 12/79 FY into service on H2 12/80 PB transfer for PB1 7/81 FY return 2/84 FY with LT 5/85 FY 3/86 in store at AEC Southall B change store (Battersea) 4/87 B repainted 7/87 loaned to West Midlands PTE for driver training (Summer Lane) 2/88 in store at AEC 5/88 FW change store (Fulwell) by 2/89 bought by 10th Finchley Scout Group
B875 OEM 6/85 FY Ford Transit Demonstrator, DP20F: at Finchley 24th-26th June FS27 C502 HOE 1985 new: Ford Transit/Carlyle, B20F, 3FS3 11/85 FY new into service on H2 (Finchley) 3/86 FY 7/89 FY into store 2/88 FY 2/90 FY in store 2/90 HL transfer, trainer (Hanwell) 3/90 PM transfer into store (Peckham) 5/90 PM trainer 9/90 BK transfer, trainer (Barking) 12/90 FY transfer, trainer 1/91 MR transfer, trainer (Manorhouse Leaside HQ) 1/91 loan to Boro'Line Maidstone at Crayford for radio training.. 1/91 ..return 8/92 reported bought by Cyril Evans, Senghenydd 3/93 FW sale cancelled: stored at Fulwell 4/93 FW privately owned, stored at Fulwell 5/93 owned by Phillipson, Biggin Hill FS28 C503 HOE 1985 new: Ford Transit/Carlyle, B20F, 3FS3 11/85 FY new into service on H2 (Finchley) 3/86 FY 2/88 FY 10/88 FY repaint 6/89 HL transfer into store (Hanwell) 7/89 HL service 9/89 X (Westbourne Park) 2/90 AD transfer, trainer (Palmers Green) 6/90 AK transfer, trainer (Streatham) 12/90 FY transfer into store 1/91 MR transfer, trainer (Manorhouse Leaside HQ) 3/92 FW transfer into store (Fulwell) 8/92 bought by Cyril Evans, Senghenydd 4/93 bought by Rhondda Bus, Porth bought by Phil Henderson Private Hire, Tonypandy FS29 C501 HOE 11/85 new: Ford Transit/Carlyle, B20F, 3FS3 11/85 FY new into service on H2 3/86 FY 2/88 FY 11/88 FY repaint 6/89 HL transfer into store (Hanwell) HL 9/89 FY transfer into store 10/89 FY ..and out 11/89 WK transfer(Westlink) 1/90 K transfer (Kingston) 4/90 WK transfer: used on 602 Westlink turquoise/white flashes added 1994 WK used on 602 1/94 WK privatised to Westlink 9/95 taken over by London United 10/97 bought by Mr Pitt, Heston ,Middx for preservation 7/06 at Alton rally 9/06 at Showbus 9/09 still in preservation: Mr Pitt.
FT 1 VPF 121M 6/74 RG new to Reigate: Ford Transit/Dormobile, B16F, NBC green/white 6/74 HA change store 8/74 HA trainer, then service 10/74 HA (Harlow Town service) London Country 1/77 HA 4/77 HA withdrawn into store 5/77 bought by Midland Red, #441 7/77 into service in dual purpose red/white livery c3/80 withdrawn 12/80 sold to Taylor (Stafford) for scrap FT 2 VPF 122M 6/74 RG new to Reigate: Ford Transit/Dormobile, B16F, NBC green/white 6/74 HA change store 8/74 HA trainer, then service: (Harlow Town service) London Country 1/77 HA 4/77 HA withdrawn into store 9/77 bought by Midland Red 2/80 withdrawn 2/81 reinstated as a publicity bus 11/82 sold to Taylor (Stafford) for scrap FT 3 XPE 123N 6/74 RG new to Reigate: Ford Transit/Dormobile, B16F, NBC green/white 8/74 HA trainer, then service: (Harlow Town service) London Country 1/77 HA 4/77 HA withdrawn into store 5/77 bought by Midland Red, #443 7/77 into service in dual purpose red/white livery 6/79 withdrawn 7/80 sold to Ensign Bus, Purfleet 11/81 bought by Dack, Terrington St.Clement 11/89 bought by Catterall, Southam */89 scrapped FT 4 XPE 124N 6/74 RG new to Reigate: Ford Transit/Dormobile, B16F, NBC green/white 8/74 HA (Harlow Town service) London Country 1/77 HA 4/77 HA withdrawn into store 5/77 bought by Midland Red, #442 7/77 into service in dual purpose red/white livery Midland Red (Sandacre, Leicester), #2124 5/80 withdrawn 7/80 sold to Ensign Bus, Purfleet 9/80 bought by Staines, Brentwood 8/83 bought by Newton, Shadoxhurst FT 5 XPE 125N 6/74 RG new to Reigate: Ford Transit/Dormobile, B16F, NBC green/white 8/74 HA (Harlow Town service) London Country 1/77 HA 4/77 HA withdrawn into store 9/77 bought by Midland Red, (Sandacre, Leicester) #2125 5/80 withdrawn 7/80 sold to Ensign Bus, Purfleet 10/80 bought by Camden Coaches 2/83 Camden Coaches 9/87 withdrawn
EPO 943H North Downs: used on 853: Croydon - Orpington 8 HBP 478H Ford Transit/Strachans B20F North Downs: used on 853: Croydon - Orpington 1977 North Downs: used on 855: East Croydon - Forestdale
2 BTR 478K Ford Transit/Strachans 6/72 used on Sunday 468 to Epsom, Chessington Zoo 1 NRO 254V 1980 Ford Transit/Dormobile, new to Mole Valley 5/81 used on 7 to Hampton Court Stn 12/81 used on 7 to Surbiton Stn
760 DXY Ford Transit/Strachans 3/62 into service, St.Pancras and Islington Cemetery Internal service 835 HLD 529N Ford Transit/Strachans 4/77 in use, St.Pancras and Islington Cemetery Internal service
D340 WPE Ford Transit/Carlyle B16F Alder Valley South 980 3/89 bought by Boro'Line Maidstone for schools contract work D341 WPE Ford Transit/Carlyle B16F Alder Valley South 981 3/89 bought by Boro'Line Maidstone for schools contract work D335 WPE Ford Transit/Carlyle B16F Alder Valley South 982 3/89 bought by Boro'Line Maidstone for schools contract work D318 WPE Ford Transit/Carlyle B16F Alder Valley South 983 3/89 bought by Boro'Line Maidstone for schools contract work

Ian's Bus Stop FS text. FS histories photo refs