1930 Condor Double Deck bus

(photos - Christine Lambert)

This vehicle was built in 1930/1 by Crossley Motors. It then went to Short Brothers the seaplane builders in Chatham, where it was fitted with a 48 seat double decker body. It entered service with the City of Portsmouth Passenger Transport Department on the 22nd of October 1931. It is believed to be the only surviving Condor anywhere in the world. The engine is a direct injection, six cylinder oil unit (diesel) of some 9.12 litres, with a claimed BHP of around 90.

Sometime between 1948 and 1950 the body was "modified" into a breakdown tender and it was fitted with a twin winch crane for lift tows. On the Condor's removal from service the crane was transferred to it's successor a PD2 and sadly, eventually condemned and cut up on the instructions of an insurance company. The replacement crane now fitted is of a similar type, but made slightly later.

The Condor was spotted during 1992 in very poor condition at a Council Depot in Portsmouth by Andy Lambert of Fareham's Mobile Tracking Systems. Andy, several of his staff and representatives from Brooklands Museum were there to collect a pre-war Airfield Crash Tender, which National Rescue were transporting back to the Museum.

A loan agreement with the Portsmouth City Museums (owners of the vehicle) was worked out and National Rescue collected her at the end of 1992. A thorough restoration has since been carried out by a various MTS staff and contractors under the guidance of MTS's Tony Amos.

In 2004 the Crossley is being returned to Portsmouth City Museum and it is hoped the vehicle will again be on display.

Thanks to Christine Lambert for the notes.