Rare Rusting Chassis Is Discovered

A piece of British automotive history has been returned to its home in the Midlands after being discovered rusting in a remote Scottish barn.

The rare 1916 Maudsley chassis formed the base of chocolate and cream busses that trundled Coventry's cobbled streets almost 80 years ago.

A transport museum in Coventry now plans to recreate the vehicle after the amazing find in a remote barn 15 miles north of Dundee.

Richard Dawe,chairman of the a friends of the museum group,said they could not believe it when they first saw the chassis.

"We knew we had to secure this vehicle for the museum collection.After the chassis has been restored we intend to create a single-decker identical to one of four purchased by Coventry Corporation Tramways in 1921."

He said the chassis was built as standard and was used on many vehicle at the time,so they could have used it to recreate an old lorry or a replica ambulance.

But he said the idea to turn it into one of the city's old busses was the clear winner."After all,36 passengers will be able to ride at any one time and share in this unique piece of living history" he said.

Malcolm Oliver,the museum's deputy managing director,said he was delighted with the new addition to the collection.

"It is a very impressive piece of Coventry's motor manufacturing history,and there must be many people who have memories of the Maudslay company."