St Helens bus appeal launched to save historic vehicle

A GoFundMe appeal has been launched to raise funds for BDJ 67, a 75‑year‑old former St Helens Corporation AEC Regent III RT-type that recently returned to the North West Museum of Road Transport; planned repairs include bodywork, a full repaint and possibly an engine overhaul.

BDJ 67, a former St Helens Corporation AEC Regent III RT-type built in 1950, has returned to the North West Museum of Road Transport and a fundraising appeal has been launched to cover restoration work. The bus is now 75 years old and spent the last 16 years in Scotland after earlier preservation and display. It was first rescued from a scrapyard in 1971 after recording about 660,000 miles and previously served Hull during its working life. The museum spokesperson said a GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for re-restoration so the vehicle can be returned to service for museum visitors and display. Key details: - Vehicle: BDJ 67, AEC Regent III RT-type, built in 1950. - Preservation history: rescued from a scrapyard in 1971 and restored over three years, then cared for by the St Helens Trolleybus and Transport Society and later the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum. - Mileage and service: reported to have logged about 660,000 miles before initial preservation and previously served Hull. - Time in Scotland: spent around 16 years on loan and appeared at events in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dunfermline. - Planned work and cost: repairs are expected to include bodywork restoration, a full repaint and possibly an engine overhaul, with final costs anticipated to run into the thousands of pounds. Summary: The appeal seeks funds to complete re-restoration so BDJ 67 can resume carrying museum visitors and be preserved on display. The museum says planned work includes body, paint and possible engine repairs and that fundraising is under way via a GoFundMe page. Undetermined at this time.