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VINCENT TWEED AND SOUTHDOWN BUSES

  
     
  Southdown Motor Services Ltd was incorporated on 2 June 1915 as a result of the amalgamation of three companies. Its registered office was in Brighton and operations centered on the South Coast, mainly in Sussex and the fringes of Kent, Surrey and Hampshire. It operated stage-carriage and coaching services from its bus and coach stations throughout the area. It had a network of garages and a works at Portslade. The fleet colours adopted were Apple Green and Primrose for buses and two tones of green for coaches.  
     
  Southdown Motor Services Ltd was incorporated on 2 June 1915 as a result of the amalgamation of three companies. Its registered office was in Brighton and operations centered on the South Coast, mainly in Sussex and the fringes of Kent, Surrey and Hampshire. It operated stage-carriage and coaching services from its bus and coach stations throughout the area. It had a network of garages and a works at Portslade. The fleet colours adopted were Apple Green and Primrose for buses and two tones of green for coaches.

In 1969 Southdown became part of the National Bus Company (NBC) as a result of Nationalisation. The fleet was eventually repainted with buses in Leaf Green and coaches white. With Deregulation in 1986, the fleet reverted to the original company colurs but in a modified form, and the operation was structured into divisions. It eventually became independent but was purchased by Stagecoach in 1989. With the fleet painted in the familiar livery of this company, the name "Southdown" was used but only for a short period. However, in 2003 the former company name was resurrected and it is now the legal lettering on buses operating as Stagecoach Coastline.

  
     
  A Leyland bodied 1930 Leyland Titan PD1 next to a 1946 Guy Arab II chassis with Park Royal bodywork.  
     
  A Leyland bodied 1930 Leyland Titan PD1 stands next to a 1946 Guy Arab II chassis with a Park Royal body.  
     
  Although I was brought up in Worthing, Sussex, I did not take any interest in Southdown, apart from using its services. However, nostalgia has now caused me to build a growing collection of models, artefacts and memorabilia associated with this company, which has been formed into a display and is available for rallies and exhibitions. I have also joined the Southdown Enthusiasts Club and take an interest in preservation.  
     
  This cameo scene from the 1960s is somewhere in rural East Sussex. The 1956 Leyland PD2 with a double deck Beadle body is on the cross country route 119 from Brighton to Tunbridge Wells. The new Harrington Cavalier bodied Leyland, having left Eastbourne earlier in the day, is on an excursion showing its passengers the delights of the local countryside. The driver waits at the halt sign for the passing of a Lambretta LD150 before he can enter the main road. Although it is the days of Mods and Rockers, the scooter driver is not looking for trouble with his motorcycle counterparts, just a pleasant run to the coast to enjoy the seaside on his day off. Opposite, the postman has just emptied the post box and will proceed to the next collection as soon as the bus has passed his Royal Mail liveried Mini van.  
     
  This cameo scene from the 1960s is somewhere in rural East Sussex. The 1956 Leyland PD2 with a double deck Beadle body is on the cross country route 119 from Brighton to Tunbridge Wells. The new Harrington Cavalier bodied Leyland, having left Eastbourne earlier in the day, is on an excursion showing its passengers the delights of the local countryside. The driver waits at the halt sign for the passing of a Lambretta LD150 before he can enter the main road. Although it is the days of Mods and Rockers, the scooter driver is not looking for trouble with his motorcycle counterparts, just a pleasant run to the coast to enjoy the seaside on his day off. Opposite, the postman has just emptied the post box and will proceed to the next collection as soon as the bus has passed his Royal Mail liveried Mini van.  
     
  Buses in Wallace Arnold, London Pride and NBC United markings join Southdown PSVs on Vincent Tweeds display  
     
  Buses in Wallace Arnold, London Pride and NBC United markings join Southdown PSVs on Vincent Tweeds display  
     
  Click here for more on 4mm scale model buses and lorries.