M&D Demonstrators (1)

[Derek Jones]

Having allowed a couple of weeks for replies about the first of John Watts's pictures, ably supplied by Richard and Nicholas, here are a few more, this time of vehicles visiting M&D in the early 1960s.

John worked at Knightrider House (alongside at least one other Club member) during that time, and had the opportunity to capture a few of the demonstrators and M&D service vehicles that may have escaped photography by others.

Amongst those that are already known are these, Vauxhall Motors Bedford SB/Duple VTM 880 (new 1958 but visiting in 1959), and two from 1962, Birmingham Corporation lowbridge Daimler Fleetline/Metro-Cammell 3246 (246 DOC) and AEC 36ft Reliance/Park Royal 327 NMP of 1962, which though listed only in EK fleet histories evidently visited Maidstone around the same time (as suggested by the destination beginning "Horsmon...." on the vehicle to the right and the coaches in the background between the two).  The last of these was followed a few months later by the delivery of similar but Willowbrook-bodied S1 (984 TKO) to M&D - whether this was a direct result of the demonstrator visit is not certain, but four more examples (S2-5, 2-5 YKK) followed in 1963 as did the first Fleetlines from DL57 upwards (57 YKT etc) with Northern Counties bodies, which were also the first new lowbridge buses for nearly five years, following the Atlanteans (DL43-56, alias 43 DKT etc) of 1959.

I am advised that more information about demonstrators is available now than when the relevant fleet histories were published, so some of this may emerge if time permits for those involved in the coming weeks.

Derek J

[kentishphil]

I would suggest that the photo of VTM 880 was taken on an early Bus Club trip, as the man in the photo was the organizer and Medway group  leader the late  Brian Baldry. and former owner of GKE 68

[Richard Ratcliffe]

VTM880 is apparently leaving the Knightrider Street Garage in this photo - or is posed in the exit lane at any rate - possibly for Club members to photograph it away from the poorer light in the garage itself.  The destination blind down in the bumper set at LONDON plus the just discernible paper stickers in the windscreen ("On hire etc") suggest that the demonstrator was used on the E1 to London.  (Some demonstrators, as we know, didn't operate in passenger carrying service - just inspected by the company concerned)

Richard R

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From: mdekb...@googlegroups.com <mdekb...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of kentishphil <gates...@hotmail.com>
Sent: 17 October 2025 21:17
To: Invicta Bus & Coach Newsgroup <mdekb...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [Invicta] Re: M&D Demonstrators (1)

 

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[Richard Ratcliffe]

It's amazing what else comes out of these historical photos.  Looking closely at what's in the background behind the Fleetline (parked pretty much in the centre of Maidstone Garage as was) in the north east corner of the building are three vehicles parked (as was the habit of the time) "sideways on".  There is a WKM Beadle rebuild coach, what looks like one of the last rebodied utility Daimlers and a tree-lopper.   Prewar Leyland TD5 possibly? I believe there was one operating out of Maidstone in the late fifties.  Fascinating!

Richard R

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From: 'Derek Jones' via Invicta Bus & Coach Newsgroup <mdekb...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: 17 October 2025 19:44
To: Invicta Newsgroup <Mdekb...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [Invicta] M&D Demonstrators (1)

 

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