File:1969 Bristol RESL 6L-ECW Srs.2 B34F - 53931502620.jpg

English: 1969 Bristol Commercial Vehicles Co. RESL 6L chassis with an Eastern Coach Works (ECW) Srs.2 B3F one door bus body and, according to DVLA records, a 6.54 litre 6-diesel engine of some sort, presumably a Leyland O.400 Srs. 6-cylinder engine but she would have been built with a Leyland O.680 6-cylinder 11.1 litre engine. She is in Bristol Omnibus livery, Reg. No.THU354G, fleet No.508 and is at the Bristol Bus Show, Brislington, 28 July 2024.

Because of their light weight and sprightly performance from their 11.1 litre engines, coupled with their THUxxxG registrations for Bristol, this batch of RESL’s were nicknamed ‘Thugs’ by Bristol Omnibus staff.

She was withdrawn by Bristol in 1980 and in 1981 she was bought for charity work. However, she returned to service use in 1992 by the Northern Cus Co. (North Anston) and renumbered 2554. She was withdrawn with engine failure in 1996, after which she was bought for preservation and presumably re-engined. She was, however, loaned to Graham of Aspatria for use as a service bus in 1998.

The Bristol RE (Rear Engined) series was built at Brislington in 1962-82 and was arguably the most successful of the first generation of rear engine single deckers. It was usually bodied by Bristol’s associate company, the Eastern Coach Works although some were fitted with the Duple Commander, the Plaxton Panorama Elite or the Alexander M Type or (in Northern Ireland, the X Type.

A variety of 6-cylinder diesel engines was offered: Gardner 6HLW 8.37 litre, 6HLX 10.45 litre or 6HLXB 10.45 litre or the Leyland O.600 9.8 litre, O.680 11.1 litre or 510 8.3 litre turbo. However, the prototype was fitted with a Bristol BVW engine fitted with a turbocharger, although this was later replaced by a Gardner engine.

There were a number of variants offered, all 8’2” wide:

RELL – long (36’), low frame (bus), 2,839 built; RESL – short (32’10”), low frame (bus), 689 built; RELH – long (36’), high frame (coach or dual purpose), 976 built; RESH – short (32’10”), high frame (coach or dual purpose) 11 built; REMH – maximum length (39’4”), high frame (coach), 105 built;

REML – maximum length (39’4”), low frame (bus), none ordered so none built.