The Devon General Omnibus Trust has launched a fundraising appeal to help it purchase a unique Devon General bus – ETT 995 (DR705), the sole Saunders-Roe bodied ‘Light Six’ AEC Rebuild.

DR705 has a remarkable story. In 1953, faced with a need for extra double deckers, Devon General’s workshops married the mechanical units of twenty 1938/39 AEC Regals with reconditioned AEC Regent chassis and had them fitted with new double deck bodies. Their unladen weight of around 6 tons led to the term ‘Light Six’. Nineteen of them received Weymann bodywork, but DR705 received a Saunders-Roe body and weighed in at just 5 tons 19 cwt.

DR705 has been owned by Steve Cope since 2004 and he has restored it to an extremely high standard. The Trust is grateful to Steve for the opportunity to acquire DR705 and hopes that Devon General enthusiasts everywhere will support its appeal to help keep this special bus in Devon.

To donate to the DR705 appeal, visit www.dgot.org.uk/support-us/ or contact the Trust at enquiries@dgot.org.uk. The appeal is open until 31^st March 2021.

Issued 29th November 2020