1946 NZ Railways Road Services Bus

In New Zealand, immediately after WW2, there was a severe shortage of new vehicles available, particularly for commercial use. There was, however, a surplus of military vehicles, in particular general transport trucks. One of the greatest needs was public transport.

At the time, most major transport infrastructure was owned by the New Zealand Government, so their answer for NZ Railways (Govt. owned) to purchase from the Army (Govt. Owned), and commission a private body builder (New Zealand Motor Body Builders Ltd.) to extend the chassis, and fabricate a bus body on it. These were mainly Ford and Chevrolet 3 ton trucks.

She was run by NZ Railways Road Services for about 5 years before being sold to a number of private bus operators until we bought her in 1979, and completely restored her.

Based on a 1942 Chevrolet MS chassis. It has a military 235 Dipper motor. (not factory)

The bus is a 17 seater plus driver, with a generous luggage space in the rear, as it was designed for inter-town servicing communities where the rail didn’t run. She cruises happily at 50mph (80kph).

The Chevrolet Enthusiasts Club of New Zealand was formed in 1972.

We bought the bus in 1979, still in service as a rural school bus, but a little worse for wear. Stored her for 2 years, then spent 10 years restoring the bus to its original condition and livery (including fleet number) as it was in 1946, when it first went on the road as a bus. The only modification we have made is the addition of a brake booster. Back on the road in 1991,

It is used regularly for club outings, attending out of town swap meets, local parades and fundraising events, and has featured in several local period movies and TV programmes and documentaries.

We have a major trip planned for February next year around the South Island of New Zealand, taking the whole month, travelling mainly on back roads.