1950s Restored Double Decker Bus becomes stunning Tiny Home

[@johndoe-lr9if]

People riding this bus 50 years ago never could have imagined it would end up in the states as a food cart and then a bnb..

[@thetarantella69]

I watched a vlog by a British guy, who'd bought a double decker as well, and turned it to a 3 bed house

[@lisamcgrath3132]

Love that this family has taken a piece of history, restored it and allowing others to enjoy it. So so fun!!!🤗

[@NHMOMBIE]

I absolutely love that he kept the history alive with this.

[@LizziLou0007]

I came from Stockport which is just south of Manchester, the buses would run in both directions and I’m old enough that I probably traveled on it. My father used to build them, they were designed to keep the driver separated from passengers so that they could concentrate purely on the driving with no distractions. At the back of the bus on the platform would be a conductor who once you had sat down he would come along collect your money and give you a ticket. If you told him where you wanted to get off he would ring the bell, to let the driver know to stop at the next stop so you could get off. Later when they allowed women to be conductors they were known as clippies. Happy days. Excellent job on the conversion.

[@paulsee2037]

Half cabs where the driver sat above and alongside the engine were not designed to to stop the driver from being distracted, it was the design and technology and layout of the day it also provided good access to the engine unlike today’s vehicles that are usually underfloor or rear engined. ‘ Hold tight please plenty of room on top!’

[@dancedecker]

Yes, it was the design and tech of it's day to have the layout that you see in this AEC Regent Three, as it was a natural progression from.the design of the horse buses that the early petrol engined and later diesel versions, evolved into. Horse buses had a conductor at the back, so the driver was seperated at the front and so when engines came along and took over, it was put at the front as it was where the horse would have been. That design survived for a good sixty or seventy years, until One Man Operation, (OMO), later One Person Operation, came in, in the late fifties and early sixties, where the engine went to the back and the driver took the fares as well, in a bid to cut operating costs, as buses lost out to the popularity of the private car.

[@Nettledust]

My dad was a bus conductor in Salford. ❤️

[@Nettledust]

One man buses came in during the mid to late 1970s.

[@dancedecker]

@@Nettledust In reasonable numbers, I would agree, but if by "came in" you are referring to being originally introduced,, that would be the late 50"s. Specifically around 1958 with the first production Leyland Atlantean. Wallasey no 1.. ( FHF 451) which fortunately got preserved.

[@melissamacpherson6428]

This bus has lived many lives and is still going strong….absolutely incredible. Love everything about this 😊

[@raysun2be]

This one is definitely unique and a very nice build. I love that he rescued a bit of history, repurposed it while keeping it's charm and bits of it's story like the murals!

[@thepaulclayton]

brings back memories as a kid living and growing up in Manchester me and my friends would wait until the bus went round a corner and all jumped off pretending to be parachuting, with the driver raising his fist to us all - it was health and safety gone out of the window - and none of us with broken bones, I think we were made of rubber back then. Thanks for sharing it you have done an amazing job, wish it was nearer so that I could rent it wow! Paul born and bred in Manchester England

[@ultimatewhit]

I love this story Paul, such a great piece of history. We are going to try to share these stories in the bus!

[@thepaulclayton]

@@ultimatewhit

[@duanetrivett750]

Great story Paul !

[@floswason8776]

I was born and bred in Manchester too many many years ago lived near Belle Vue and Longsight station

[@thepaulclayton]

@@floswason8776 wow used to go to belle vue roller skating as a kid - small world - paul who now lives in sunny Bournemouth

[@HappyLife693]

There are so many special touches that make the house inviting. It was restored with love. I love the tiny bathroom sink and all the rustic wood pieces. It is nice that he left the driver’s cabin alone for guests to view.

[@kindlydude]

I hope he restores it ...maybe into a small claw foot bath tub or even a miniature jacuzzi!

[@jenniferleach4907]

I’m from Liverpool England and I used to love travelling on the top deck of the bus fond memories what an amazing tiny house 😍😍😍😍

[@heidibee501]

He did an amazing job of this bus. What a great way to enjoy a double decker bus.

[@lisam9885]

What I love about this is how every "problem" turned into an opportunity for creativity and you are a natural because your solutions made it better than it would have been otherwise! Also, this unique and quirky tiny home is SO very Portland (in the classic sense of the place - not the last few years). I was looking through the comments to see if anyone else had mentioned this, and I am amazed at the number of people who nitpick the details- as if somehow they know better? *eye roll* ha! "Different curtains", "different pillows", "different counter", "different lighting", "different location". Wow... please note: no one asked for your help! Each person has different tastes, and what you think maybe needs improvement, someone else has no problem with or even likes. I'm sure this unique property is plenty booked with guests. Congrats Mr. Scott on finding your passion, re-purposing something that was cast off, and creating something fun, whimsical and beautiful.

[@michaelcauser474]

Well said Lisa. Many Eddie The Expert's love to tell you what you have done wrong, but when you ask them if they have done anything even remotely similar, the answer is invariably "No, but....."

[@questionmark9819]

The old route masters are very sturdy and have lasted a long time, so nice to see one being transformed in to a home.

[@paulsee2037]

Not a routemaster, it is an AEC Regent lll

[@questionmark9819]

@@paulsee2037 oh i didn't realise, I thought they were all called route masters! Cheers ☺️

[@dancedecker]

@@questionmark9819 No. Only the 2760 that London Transport bought, or a handful that Northern General in Newcastle had and a similar amount for BEA and BOAC as airport shuttles in London. The VAST majority of other ones have various names. AEC Regent, Guy Arab, Leyland Titan, etc. There was a London Transport version of this particular type of bus, but it was called the RT and was best known probably as the bus used by Cliff Richard in the film "Summer Holiday", where he and "The Shadows", travelled across Europe in one to Greece.

[@questionmark9819]

@@dancedecker thank you, I just presumed that they were all called route masters, I do miss them though, the boris buses aren't the same plus there's no conductor now, I think they trialed it initially but now it's just the driver although there is a heritage route around London, the number 15 does part of the way in the old style buses, or at least it did a few years back around Tower Hill.

[@dancedecker]

@@questionmark9819 You are most welcome. I agree that the "Borismasters" don't quite do it, but they do have a lot of original RM type features that have more than a nod to the old girls. Sadly the pandemic saw to it that TfL had an excuse to withdraw the 15 after already scrapping the 9 previously. So now, no regular service RMs I'm afraid to say. So the odd private hire one, I think there's a mobile afternoon tea one, every day and the odd preserved bus event. That's about it and London, in my humble opinion, is the poorer for it.

[@larauch13]

I love how this bus turned out. Awesome.

[@andrea0307]

Absolutely amazing! What a fantastic job, you should be so proud to have revived such an iconic Bus into what you have! As a Brit you brought back some wonderful memories of my childhood! My Mum also used to be a Conductress on these Buses! 🙏

[@lynnescaddan8919]

Thanq for the video, great build, I remember these buses well.

[@disciplemaker7488]

Love this so much. I grew up helping my dad restore, classic yachts. It’s like a classic land yacht. Love seeing things repurposed too. Great ideas. God bless. Jesus loves you!

[@neglectedloves]

So well done and how this guy presents his bus makes it even more charming! 👏🏻

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

I love when people take something like this bus, restore it and then we get to read about the memories people place in the comment section. So cool to read about how something shaped their lives or was an integral part of their family in some way! Thanks for sharing and to all of you who have shared in the history of these busses “Thanks for the memories, of sentimental verse, nothing in my purse… Awfully glad I met you, Cheerio and toodle-oo, Thank you, Thank you so much.” (Thanks for the Memories- 1st and last verse-Bob Hope)

[@kindlydude]

Odd that you chose a Bob Hope quote ...did you know Bob Hope was born "Leslie Hope" in Eltham, near London, England in 1903 and lived in Bristol with his parents and siblings before moving to the USA? So he probably rode on some earlier version of these 'Double-Decker' buses I would think also.

[@lisasweller6711]

Now that is seriously the coolest thing I have seen. Just the way he trouble shooter and came up with something else to compete each room, shows he has an imagination and runs with it. Then it becomes a beautiful piece of art let alone and place to put your head down and shed your shoes. It comfy looking to. The history of this bus is going to go a long way. Love it,

[@ultimatewhit]

Thanks Lisa

[@Milliesmushroom]

I grew up in South West Scotland. In the 70s I went back and forward to school on these very same buses. These buses were old even then 🤣 being out in the country and miles from the nearest city, Glasgow, we got all the cast off buses when the cities got the new ones. That switch box was for the lights inside the bus. We used to switch them off as kids 🤣 Back in the day there were conductors and conductreses so the driver sat up in his space without contact with the public, thats why the driving position isn't in the bus. Nice to see the bus have a new life

[@katbar6066]

Used to love riding the old Double Deckers when I was in the UK. I always found it funny that the driver was totally separate but they always had a "Bus Conductor" who stood on the back step and sold Tickets. As you said it was open at the back and not very pleasant in the Winter! You have done a great job. One thing I would add is a small BBQ in that little courtyard area. Spending $22k even though you did most if not all of the work is still a really good deal.

[@aksez2u]

Awesome and beautiful - Also funky inside and out, perfect for Portland!

[@sashastarshanti3599]

Damn cool! Love the whole layout of the bus, and love his reusing and re-imagining it into this living dream. May all who stay in this magic bus enjoy their ride. And, may it bring much abundance.

[@troo_story]

Is that double-speaker for shagging?

[@danandkiko]

What a great sense of vision and style.

[@laurakramer396]

I love this bus! I would have given the bus a veranda and kept the backdoor area open. Beautiful job on the build!

[@penelopeburnam6851]

This is so awesome! Great job, thanks for letting others share in a bit of history and to enjoy their vacations.

[@patricialewis4017]

Very Unique. You did a great Job, can't wait to see how you fix up the cab.

[@brookepippin6598]

This guy is a trip. Had me laughing and smiling the whole time. God bless everyone here 😎

[@ultimatewhit]

Hahha thanks Brooke!

[@ticketyboo2456]

Brooke Pippin " a trip " I see what you did there...

[@rcrents4u]

British people are awesome and so are the products that come from that wonderful country. We have so much to learn from them! We are years behind!

[@bethsheeba1198]

I love these old double-deckers. We had them here in Australia for years. Fun going around corners hanging on the the pole on the back step.

[@natalyhidalgo771]

Me encantó esta pequeña casa, se nota que se hizo con mucho amor, que la disfruten por siempre.

[@judithhileman9759]

Wow! You’ve done some great things to the bus! I love it… gives you some fancy camping feel!

[@ultimatewhit]

It sure does! Strong glam ping vibes with this bus.

[@juliesmith5567]

I cant believe it how the hus has change from what you said what it was and happen to it and now it its grwt id love it as i will love to see it even the age 70yrs old great now how done inside

[@lauraadams528]

This bus is incredible!!! Why don't we have more awesome vehicles like this being made anymore?!?!

[@Queen.AnneBoleyn]

I love it. This is absolutely beautiful....I'd consider it a dream home. Great work.

[@ultimatewhit]

Thank you so much Terra,hope to have you for a stay some day!

[@weston.weston]

You have a beautiful spirit Whit, excellent work with the remodeled bus!

[@tasticola]

So glad you kept and restored the mural.

[@ultimatewhit]

Yah Jak!

[@treehuggingmusician595]

This is most definitely the most unique dwelling and really cool. It would be fun to stay in it.

[@lifeoflouietheboxer4946]

Great Job, It's beautiful! Love the statement you made at the end. (So true) I always say, Live life to the fullest, you only have one! Don't live in regret.

[@ultimatewhit]

Sounds like we’d be friends! Thanks for watching.

[@clarkclarke]

Hahahaha Jenna ..you got me LOL!!! Love the double decker ... I have a family member who came out of retirement and drives double decker in London ...💕 Thank you for sharing 💕🙏🏾 *You can also use sheets to make curtains .. already comes with opening for a rod ...

[@Terrbel21]

This was fantastic! And I love your positivity in a world that is falling apart!,,

[@snowysnowyriver]

That type of bus is called a Route Master (sometimes Routemaster). There were variations around the country, but the basic design was very similar everywhere. My father used to drive them when I was a child in the 1950s so I grew up riding on these just for fun. The reason why the front is shaped that way is space and maintenance for the engine. There was no room to have seats or a door at the front. The warmest seats on a Route Master was right at the front behind the engine! Although there was a form of heating in most models, it was a bit useless because of the open back platform. The fronts of British buses only became flat when the engine was moved to the rear and the entrance moved to the front. I think it's wonderful that you have given that grand old lady a dignified retirement.

[@alexandrahall1886]

Born and raised in se London uk these buses were my transport daily

[@terrymathis4213]

That bus had alot of journeys. It's finally found a home. And someone staying in her would b proud of the design. Great job.

[@markaralvin7919]

Hello Terry

[@euchrideucrow1970]

C’mon Route Master! I used to love those old buses, you could leap on and off at will and hang off the back as it went zipping along… well until the conductor shouted at you 😄😄

[@dancedecker]

It isn't a 'Routemaster ", it's an AEC Regent Three. It was from Manchester which never had Routemasters, though they did borrow one ( RM 1414), in the early sixties to see if they might like some. It is nearer to the "daddy" to the RM, which was called the RT and was probably best known as being the subject of the Cliff Richard film, "Summer Holiday ".

[@subhadrarai5628]

I am glad a double decker bus is featured.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Glad I caught a premier. Good reuse of the bus!

[@S.E.C-R]

This is right in my backyard. I remember the grilled cheese grill, it was amazing!!

[@susankustich1720]

What an amazing transition this is! Great work!

[@paulbennett4548]

Thanks for the time travel for me on this video. The old Midland Red buses from my area had a pole in the middle of the large open space at the back of the bus. which when you where running to catch the bus and approaching from the front you lunged for the pole and swung onto the bus much to the annoyance of the conductor. Happy days. I never thought I would see a double decker with a double bed in it. My Girlfriend (now wife) and I got into enough mischief on the big bench seat at the back of the upper deck. All in all a wonderful conversion. Whit; you now need to add two more buses then you can use the old line: " You wait and wait for a bus and then 3 show up". And can you please put the Googly eyes back on.

[@ultimatewhit]

Hahaha. That’s hilarious. Funny enough, I just found another doubled decker for sale and the listing says “ a once in a lifetime opportunity“; my wife says “ a twice in a lifetime opportunity!“

[@paulbennett4548]

@@ultimatewhit I tell you; that third one is just around the corner. lol

[@dancedecker]

That would probably have been a BMMO D9 that was actually built by Midland Red themselves. They built nearly all their own buses at one time in Birmingham. A very advanced bus at the time. And all buses in all areas in the UK at one time, had a chrome plated pole at the back where you jumped on. Great fun.

[@craftyourwaytopeace]

This is the coolest bus build I've seen! What a great space!

[@amazing9754]

Love your tiny home hope you take care of it

[@debrathomas7735]

This is absolutely 💯 beautiful done ✔️ ❤️ 👏 😍

[@ultimatewhit]

Thank you Debra

[@darkangelw8472]

That's absolutely stunning 😍

[@menelvamovie]

Loved this project! It’s beautiful!

[@choolisa4998]

Love it, beautiful and a cozy home ...

[@amberh4109]

I've eaten lunch in that bus!!! How cool to see how it turned out! :)

[@christophermichael.w.7577]

I had an antique toy bus that looked alot like the bus. It sure has had an interesting life.

[@laurastevenson2785]

You have done an extraordinary build on your family’s home, amazingly well put together. Pray that you and the family would continue to be Blessed in your home. God Bless love’s 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾

[@tammycruz8189]

This is absolutely amazing. I love this 💓

[@ultimatewhit]

Thank you Tammy!

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

Love it. I've seen a British guy doing this as well. I'd love one

[@allanfulton7569]

Now this is the bus I want to build into a working driving rv. This is a nice alternative but I would definitely rather have it running and driving.

[@ultimatewhit]

I don’t have the skills to get it started, and I have run a successful Airbnb out of my back yard, so this is a perfect fit. But if I had the skill, you are right, making it run would be incredible!

[@allanfulton7569]

@@ultimatewhit I love what you did with it and for an air bnb you probably wouldn't want it running anyway. I live in a rural city in Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 so an air bnb wouldn't be viable and the fact I've been working on car and truck engines since I was 14 years old also means I wouldn't have to spend 30-50k to get it running which is probably a very low estimate of the cost to get that running and to pass a safety for road travel.

[@LexyTheEbikeQueen]

He got so many 5 star ⭐️ reviews on airbnb as well ❤

[@gregpendrey6711]

You never cease to amaze me. ❤

[@justjackfromsc]

Pretty cool bus and build. Thanks for the video. God bless.

[@PennyLane1]

I'm from Manchester. I remember these buses, they did primarily the routes to the University. I may well have been on this!

[@veronicalombarte5802]

I love the look of double decker buses. Not many here in Australia. One thing I would do as this bus doesn't drive, is I would gut out the driving area and make it into a space for storage. When someone comes to stay they can put their empty suitcases in there. Or just use it for clothes storage for the different seasons. Or for other storage uses. Also with the front of the bus being split, I believe it's so that the driver could still open the window (no air con in these buses) and not have the rain coming in as it was covered. It also allowed people to see what was coming up on the road if they sat at the front of the bus.

[@christophermichael.w.7577]

I like the old ones like this. There are new ones that go around places like new York the top level is open to the elements

[@observerobserver6040]

From the UK 🇬🇧 😀 💙 what you've done with the bus.

[@annehoyle3581]

Best tiny house yet!!!!

[@yourmomma5310]

outstanding job. Love your work done on the bus. Plenty of room. thank you for sharing your video

[@CamperGirl03]

Great music for a great vehicle!!!

[@EVERGLOW828]

Such a beautiful gem

[@interestedparty3159]

COOLEST Bus EVER!!!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@DawnOldham]

A fun destination stay! I love the feel and look… this would be a great home school stay- letting the kids learn about English transportation. (Or a Harry Potter’s night bus?) ☺️

[@RLucas3000]

I think a Harry Potter makeover for Oct would be fun and not too expensive. Have guest robes of all 4 houses, a homemade sorting hat, a cauldron in the kitchen, Harry Potter chess set and BeanBoozled in the game area, and the movies streaming upstairs!

[@sonusheikh12]

hi, Its really beautiful. amazing and unbelievable. You did great job. from Pakistan.

[@kisslena]

The local cedar is glorious!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@dorisweems1510]

I absolutely love it, it's amazing 😍🤩

[@debbralehrman5957]

Thanks 👍🏻 this is a real cute idea!

[@caroldavis5877]

Very cool tiny house.

[@yraydahernandez7713]

It looks amazing❤️

[@karenjohnson2759]

Absolutely stunning, good work.

[@thewalkingvegan]

Really lovely, looks so cozy with all the necessary facilities. Would love to stay but I'm in England

[@lauraMacKinnon321]

Good work. Looks amazing. 😊

[@billrusk6354]

Awesome job on the wood

[@ultimatewhit]

Much appreciated Bill!

[@cathylynnpietranton]

Super cool thanks Jenna for sharing.❤

[@emilieaxle1098]

Recently I have a thought of this then boom! I saw this ... Wow my wish do come true 😕🤯😊😳😍

[@boriskarloff6356]

It has a cool pre-selective gearbox. I remember them well as a schoolkid, going to school.

[@dancedecker]

Excellent video Mr Scott. Lovely job. I run a fleet of vintage buses here in the UK that now mostly just do tourist tours, weddings and TV and film work for period piece dramas etc and accordingly I would have loved to have seen that lovely old girl restored and running back on the streets of the UK. However, what you have done is excellent and keeps her alive in another way at least. I am interested in knowing her history as whilst she might be from somewhere in the Manchester area, I don't think she was actually a Manchester Corporation bus as I don't recall them having AECs. Salford did and Ashton too and Bury, but not to my knowledge, Manchester itself. My money is on Bury, but I'll check. If you have any information on her original registration here in the UK, I could pinpoint it more accurately. It would be something like BEN 123, if from Bury. Also the cab is like it is, split, because that was a natural progression from the horse buses that the earlier versions of your bus replaced. On those, the driver was seperated at the front with a conductor taking the fares at the back. The engine replaced the horse that was at the front, so the driver stayed there, seperated in the "half cab" as it was called. The vintage electrical box you found, controlled the interior lighting. It would probably say things like, upper saloon n/s, upper saloon o/s on it above each switch. You mentioned in a reply about getting her going again. They are very basic engineering and so, that would not, I'd guess, be that difficult. Anything you think that maybe I can assist with in acheiving that, or at least seeing if it's possible, just let me know. Finally, you may already know, but there is a bus museum based in Manchester that would also, I'm sure, be delighted to help you with anything that they can. It's based in Cheetham Hill at Queen's Road bus depot and is called the Manchester Museum of Transport. You might find it helpful to get in touch. They are a friendly bunch from my many dealings with them. Hope this is of help and all the very best in your venture. I know where I'm staying if ever I'm over there near you. Lol.

[@sandraford4235]

When I was little I always wanted to live in a bus or a railway carriage ,I always would be thinking of the layout ,I’m from Liverpool our buses were green ,I travelled miles back n forth to town in all the years they were in service,You could always hop on the bus grabbing the bar to hoist yourself on if you were quick ,haha

[@amandapittar9398]

I rode to and from school in buses exactly like this one in Scotland in the 1970s. The bus was open at back and it was always a rite of passage to jump on and off while the bus was still moving - the conductor/ conductress would shout at you! There used to be a little window so they could talk to the driver. The idea was that he ( it was always a “he”) could not be distracted, I think. Good to see them reused. I used to love to get the seat at the front at the top all the way home, as I lived at the last stop but one the next village so could wave to friends the whole way. The stairs on a moving bus were hair raising though…

[@jamee215]

Very nice!!!!! Hi from Maui! U r very lucky !!

[@DaleRussell2]

So clever. Love it. 👏

[@melissabenson6749]

Wicked cool, & what a piece of art & history!👍♥️ Best wishes, enjoy your capital adventure & guests!

[@padelicious9093]

I’ve been hoping we’d see one these someday! Thanks

[@Nan-59]

The ceiling is impressive!

[@robbiegerard7857]

Hey, that looks like the old 157 that i used to go from the Crystal Palace to West Croydon to visit the bars and dance halls back in the late 60's.

[@paulsee2037]

That would have been an AEC RT and later on the RM

[@amandasmith3716]

I was born and raised in Morden and used the get the 157 where it came out of. The 164 and the 118 were still routemasters in the late 70’s. I used to run and hang off the bar of the 118 when travelling to school in Mitcham. Loved the routemasters.

[@robynfedalen1777]

I love this! It’s beautiful ❤️🇬🇧

[@andreglomm9843]

That is one of the best for my taste

[@JacquelineSmith-tv7jb]

I really like your video it was inspiring. All the best 👍

[@petereriksson1390]

Nice, really nice! Best Regards Peter Eriksson, Orsa, Sweden 😊😊😊😊/😊😊😊😊😊