I purchased a 30 year old bus sight unseen from rural Scotland and tried to drive it 400 miles home.

Join us for a slightly different type of video to what you're used to from this channel. Don't worry - the normal videos are continuing, this is just some extra content to document the journey home and eventual restoration of this 1996 Volvo Olympian which we bought from the North Coast of Scotland.

[@Epic_RC_Time]

This was randomly suggested, watched it and enjoyed

[@andymcgregor3924]

strangely compelling watching. A change from Americans getting old cars to run. Good luck lads

[@Surreptitious_1]

With young lads like this keen on engineering and mechanics, there is hope for Britain yet!

[@mott2945]

👏👏👏👏

[@graemepatterson]

not with the current government in charge. UK is dead

[@joelc9439]

Always has been hope for Britain never give up..

[@christopher9727]

.... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@CaughtOnDashcam-Viral]

Yeh haha

[@woodbine66]

Despite most younger people being fixated by their phones, it's good to see that the next generation of young anoraks are keeping up the British tradition of tinkering with ageing vehicles. Well done, lads! Your country needs you!

[@Mr_Reaper]

Well said

[@Aderin.]

I wish I could buy an entire bus

[@peterjames8509]

I don't think it is particularly that young people are fixated with phones. In today's Britain, they are taking a hell of a risk. Scottish Police would bang you up for J Walking never mind driving a 30 year old bus home with issues. Good luck to them. But it's wrong to say young are on their phones, it's not 1955 and when traffic Police on the M6 intercept it could turn into nasty fines or far worse.

[@jimbo80982]

They still exist, just not on social media for the most part. Who can blame them?

[@deanochow4077]

Classic and military vehicle ownership is on the decline for younger people massively due to the cost of them being charged by the older generation. Costs are significantly higher than when they bought into it. Just look at photos of the age of club members. There’s no young people.

[@MasterMuscle100]

Boys and Toys. No matter what age you are.. a boy will never grow out of their toys. Good luck and I hope you get the bus restored to all of It's natural glory!

[@jonathansp]

I've just subscribed to a train channel because a few guys decided to buy an old double decker for restoration. I have no interest in trains or busses, but somehow youtube knew I wanted to see this. Makes total sense 👍

[@buxvan]

Same here !

[@thegreaterbilby2171]

@@buxvan and here

[@mautoban66]

Same here, best regards from Germany

[@joelc9439]

What do you mean?

[@frenchenstein]

Me too 🥴😂🤣

[@MrSoppysod]

Three cheers for the enthusiasm of youth! In my late 70s I would have packed the car with every tool and spare I could muster but would never have had the foresight to include a toothbrush!! However, the bus looks really good and should be a great restoration so, good luck with it and looking forward to following your story.

[@pauleyd80]

Seeing you do a fix with a toothbrush, frankly, made me proud to be British again.

[@c9ckl]

Amen !

[@mott2945]

👏👏👏👏

[@richardharries5825]

That’s a typical British bodge. While in the shit, use your bodge kit. You have to improvise more often than not. And do whatever it takes to keep on moving.

[@SaltimusMaximus]

I always used to carry things like wire coat hangers, string, wire and tape, got out of a few issues with those

[@Daemonarch2k6]

I knew that toothbrush would save the day at some time of history!

[@Vikingcat01]

I love Double Deckers , Especially the way the soft nougat melts combining with the chocolaty crispy cereal crunch .

[@weepair2]

From the fridge I hope.

[@Vikingcat01]

@weepair2 , Sometimes I prefer them from fridge hard and chewy - other times soft and gooey just left out for scooping up choc chip mint ice cream onto the end of it. You ?

[@robertsanders3213]

If you want something new go to mcdonalds order a mcflurry and a hot apple pie and crush it into the mcflurry! Game changer!!!!​@Vikingcat01

[@weepair2]

@@Vikingcat01 You are giving me a semi🤣

[@glasgowgallus247]

Mmm...😂👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@invinsicon]

I enjoyed driving this bus when it was a school bus at EM Horsburgh in Livingston

[@calumhowieson9511]

Pretty sure I’ve been on it back when I was in primary school

[@graememckay9972]

I think I drove it for Lothian buses before they sold them to EMH

[@invinsicon]

@@graememckay9972 this particular was owned by stagecoach before EMH

[@michaelmckelvey5122]

You should have bought it then!

[@mhz771]

I drove this bus when it was new in Newcastle.

[@TechOne7671]

What a road trip. I stay about five miles from the Dakota where you stayed overnight. If only I had known I would have given you the use of my workshop to better effect the repairs. All the best.

[@louiemontford5210]

That's a lovely thing to comment!! Thank you anyways :))

[@briggaskin]

I love how all the armchair experts like to criticise the way you did things, but if you get the job done, the bus is in one piece and not broken and no one got hurt or killed and you were not arrested ,impounded or stranded then YOU DID IT OK. well done.

[@rb5174]

Fully agree…Great job. I wouldn’t have made it past that first left turn

[@fatdad64able]

@briggaskin 🤔…Oh, I remember. That was the slogan for British Leyland, wasn’t it? 😃

[@CATS57CATS]

One of the BEST videos on KZbin for some time. Well done all of you.

[@SpawnPoiint]

No idea why this was recommended. But watched it all and now excited to see what you do with it next. Great video.

[@leonwilks4114]

The fact you've done this on the only driest day for 6 months is nothing short of miraculous, keep it up lads

[@funkytransport]

nice cliche

[@c9ckl]

Toothbrush and cable ties, outstanding work, quite superb.

[@JW1_1]

Volvo Olympian, this one looks like a Mk 1. Must be a dream to drive!

[@Jimbo-gi7xn]

Cummins L10 engine too ♥️

[@JW1_1]

@@Jimbo-gi7xn and Voith Cogs 😎. Don’t make em like that any more

[@Jimbo-gi7xn]

@@JW1_1 I've driven a few Cummins/Voith combos.. definitely the best pairing

[@thefunwarden]

just been suggested to me 16/06/24 and can honestly say i really enjoyed watching. the fix with the toothbrush pure genius

[@mrade5321]

Just to put it out there, if you have jubilee clips that are too small, you can join them together to make a bigger one.

[@buxvan]

That's so obvious, but I'd never thought of that. Cheers

[@rogerjoesbury9410]

​@@buxvan👍💯🤔🙂

[@Gruxxan]

Same trick works with cable ties

[@peterduxbury927]

At 18:30, instead of crawling under the bus in that tight space, would it not have been better to remove those four(4) screws, and then remove the Lower Sill Panel - to fix the suspension issue?

[@classiccars1994]

Great to see a bunch of young lads with real enthusiasm for something other than gaming and phones.

[@mattd6085]

Oh bore off you old sod

[@PillSharks]

😂😂. I’ve driven wagons up and down the country and have been to Banff… bloody good job the DVSA wasn’t lurking on the way down!! I’m amazed you didn’t get a tug on the M6 in Cumbria!

[@JohnyThunderPants]

No MOT by all accounts

[@drummerboy1390]

I was thinking the same thing.😂 Ive had a pull for no number plate lights.

[@CTRLyurself]

@@JohnyThunderPants MOT expired 6 January 2023 apparently, I doubt this video was filmed then.. but maybe. If no MOT then no tax or insurance either. All good until DVSA gets you then that will be one hefty fine

[@TimothyWorel-xj9he]

We took two Nationals to Duxford one year. One of the lads had put the tax discs in the wrong buses. Copper pulled us outside the showground.

[@TimothyWorel-xj9he]

​@@CTRLyurselfand perhaps get the bus seized.

[@Alan_GA]

Glad this video came up as a recommend, the channel content is fantastic.

[@SuperRetroville]

Your knowledge astounds me Well done on the running repairs

[@370DatsunZed]

Very well done lads....enjoyed this immensely. Good to see youngsters can still think on their feet when it comes to fixing things on the wing!

[@steve00alt70]

Women can do it too

[@trevortrevortsr2]

Gosh how wonderful - you lads would not be out of place in a 1960 adventure film

[@chris28258]

Best way to get to know a vehicle, often to the amazement of the seller who can't believe you didn't bring a trailer. Fiat Panda Selecta from London, Reliant Fox from Cheshire and a Reliant scimitar ss1 from Warwickshire all to North Yorkshire with no problems and a lot of fun.

[@TheHorsebox2]

"Is that On The Buses?" "No, love. It's the spinoff. Under The Buses."

[@lefthandedluke]

I hate you Butler.....lol

[@buxvan]

Wow. I'm not a bus spotter but I might have to "come out" as a bus curious ! " I'm into old motorbikes , 've got 8, & I'm restoring a heinkel bubble car. That's enough stress for me thanks. Owning a massive old bus must be an absolute nightmare.

[@JohnStokes-c1o]

Crikey good job you didn't get stopped by the old bill or DVSA.

[@adriansolomon6805]

😂in my experience the old bill and vosa stay away from school buses as if there is a problem they can be responsible for a lot of screaming brats lol

[@Paul-uu5kf]

Best of luck guys. I’ve just completed restoring R364LGH, a Palatine 2 bodied ex London Volvo Olympian which I love. It’s big and green now!!

[@andysessford2659]

Glad to see another Volvo Olympian being saved, main fleet of Stagecoach buses in the late 90s the short&long wheelbase Olympians! Nice one guys ❤😊😍

[@waterside13]

Very impressed with the team work ethic, well done.

[@SketchyScot]

LOL! A lot of rail guys seem to like their buses too. Lovely purchase there.. I bought an ex Stagecoach Carlisle Dennis Dart (PX05ELV) with a friend just last year, fun but buyers remorse still on my mind

[@JackT21]

Isn’t that guy at start of the video not a train driver ?

[@beneliastrains]

​@@JackT21I'm the train driver. Louie at the beginning is my partner and owner of the yellow Olympian.

I’m a high speed passenger train technician and also a bus preservation member too 😂

[@sebastianohalloran9093]

@@beneliastrains lucky men! Did he drive it?

[@xxfyrezgamerxx6279]

What a suprise, carlisle is my hometown, so I may have been on that bus a fair few times as I'm 22.

[@sparkmeister4706]

This popped up on my feed, and i'm genuinly surprised. what a great video. good to see some young lads with some engineering knowlege and interest. got a new subscriber here.

[@ianward2020]

I don't normally watch videos on old vehicle restoration, but as I used to be a bus driver, it was a 'must watch this one. Well done, Ben and his friends

[@MattTester]

Madness, I love it. Great that you were holding up a Series Land Rover towards then end.

[@daviddurrant8393]

Nice seeing young people doing practical work. Not having heads down tapping on a phone. Well done to you and wishing you well for the future, and best wishes from a very old person

[@sebastianohalloran9093]

Great purchase, journey and teamwork. Also great to see a couple sharing their passions.

[@edwardmullan2724]

I drove these in service, they were my favourite, very smooth and felt like driving a tank

[@AnthonyValentine-vm1yc]

Train dvrs sent to buy a new bus for the 'bus replacement' service. Gulp! Loving it!

[@pedromorgan99]

Extract thoughz.. wtf .. pinches self.. ouch.. >

[@zingo2664]

great vid guys ! , must be really exciting buing a bus at your young age ( i was still cycling LOL) & your brave !!! 10/10

[@johnbrereton5229]

What a great adventure, and I must say I'm very impressed with your driving skills. It can't be easy driving such a large vehicle down those tiny country roads and then all the way to Manchester. Well done ! 👍😁

[@vodkaphix]

The banter, The laughter, bucket loads of enthusiasm and resourcefulness (not forgetting the toothbrush), brings warmth to an otherwise cold trip. I broke down once in Italy with a snapped crank on a tour bus....not such an easy fix. A replacement engine and £20,000.00 lighter in the pocket. Well Done Guys. Subscribed.

[@oldmotorcycleandy]

what an adventure you will remember for a long time. well done with the running repairs.

[@douglasvick9703]

Good Luck to you young man...I would have loved to come and help you ...Never Give Up and look forward to seeing your progress Then....A Bus/Coach show...!!!!!!

[@callumdelaney7884]

Well done lads on saving ex stagecoach west Scotland Olympian 16728 went to horsburgh after leaving stagey so 728 has had a hard life I hope u guys restore the bus to its former Glory

[@monkeyboy8424]

For some strange reason I'm hooked on learning how this all turns out and have subscribed. Good luck.

[@frenchfriar]

I can't wait to see the restoration. Ive always wanted to get one of these and turn it into a camper/home, I think it would be magnificent.

[@michaelkeen5010]

Lot of people say this, then the reality hits home, 40-45mph top speed, 14 foot plus height, 9 mpg.

[@hamshackleton]

You might struggle to find a parking space at the supermarket, though!

[@peterduxbury927]

@@michaelkeen5010 Private Registration & Insurance wouldn't be too cheap.

[@alanchurchill7305]

What a great video,and your mate is a clever lad to have around, looking forward to the next video.

[@BritishRail60062]

Great work on that saving that bus. I look forward to the progress.

[@TheSpotify95]

Can't quite remember how this was recommended to me, but I'm glad I stumbled across this! Hopefully you're able to restore this bus, as it's certainly been saved from whatever it was originally destined for! I love how you've got loads of enthusiasm for this too!

[@stevieinselby]

Yup, I can confirm that parking it with the rear-right on the kerb cures the lean. Now you just need to find a way to get a transportable piece of kerb that you can keep under that wheel as you're driving 😆

[@tardismole]

LOL

😆

[@tastethevenom6414]

Well done Lads so far 👍🏼subbed liked and following from Edinburgh Scotland , Very interested in the Restoration 👌🏻

[@vorlonb3]

a great achievment really you never know what hides in old rain engines or buses as a rule and its great that it got there through sheer determination. well done

[@teesbuses]

A nice ex Stagecoach busways Olympian there. Great vid 👌🏻

[@davidnm21]

Best of luck lads with the bus a brave attempt and great video vlog from a former bus enthusiast and driver although now long retired. Good luck👍

[@philipblick8887]

Your doing well guys congratulations from a retired boomer auto electrician Aotearoa New Zealand 🇳🇿👍

[@UKKitchensKDWC]

keep up the good work you are keeplng a piece of transport history on the road,and the enjoyment you get will is something a lot of us would love to do,i remember these buses arriving in liverpool in 1960s.

[@Tinovodanovic]

Looking forward to the future episodes of the restoration. Good luck.

[@mott2945]

Wow how have I only just found this channel 😮it’s amazing I love it and you boys are nuts 😂and hilarious ❤

[@saxmanzzz]

I was hooked as soon as I started watching ! Great video. Well impressed that you fixed the lean. Can't wait to see what you do next.

[@BenBitsNVids]

Looks like it has a bit of an air issue at the back lol glad to see others that like tinkering

[@butchersoflondon]

Go on lads ... can't wait to see it restored.......

[@richardbelton919]

I've been restoring buses for over twenty years now, and have loved every minute of it. Good luck with the restoration - with your enthusiasm, I'm sure you will make a good job of it. Very enjoyable video. 😀

[@MrSkoda105s]

Amazing video. What a cool video. Accidentally ran into your channel. Cool! Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@peterd.1165]

You guys are brilliant - enjoyed watching your video - Thank you

[@wolfmancool]

I didn't realise you were so young. Good to do something different in a video.

[@mikelovesbacon]

No idea why this was suggested for me, I'm not in to buses or trains, but I enjoyed watching this and subscribed because it'll be fascinating to see the old girl restored.

[@djscars572]

Welldone guys, right in my back yard, great to see your bravery with these projects, I used to love sorting up old gear when younger, buying old caravans selling the aluminium, and making car trailers, to get a bit of cash for next project, then it led onto cars, a good few before I was age to drive, then did damaged repairable, great times, and glad to see young lads still tinkering with mechanical engineering

[@tomcurd4474]

well done guys!

[@ross78rs]

I’ve started to follow you’re journey on restoring this old double decker bus …. Will be interesting to see how you do….. good luck lads 🚌

[@wolfterritoriesgrid]

Great video Ben, well produced, interesting will be following your story.

[@frenchenstein]

🌟Excellent, well done fellas. Looking forward to the next chapter 👌🏽

[@DoorstepBrewing]

The L10 sounds lovely on it. Good video!

[@Fulhambaby5]

Great to see! Beware of low bridges guys... know your bus height 👍

[@TheSpotify95]

Thankfully it says near the drivers' cab what the height is so hopefully they know this for when thy take it about!

[@MadameLove1866]

Now thats what you call an adventure and what a great group of friends having

[@SteveMikre44]

I'm excited to follow the repair and restoration progress...

[@theleedsbusdriver]

Really good news you have purchased a Volvo Olympian :)

[@samuelrobinson9012]

I was actually nervous for you, and im relaxing in my armchair. Lol. Well done for making it home

[@cliveroulstone9366]

Brings back memories of my Stevenson days when Julian peddle would send 4 drivers down the London to bring back d m s”s 30 mph all the way back to burton ,. But (Scotland ) credit to you 👍

[@RJDPW]

First time seeing one of your videos, and I was engrossed the whole time! Looking forward to the project and watching your progress!

[@DavidMyers-bl9gx]

Excellent English lads. Carrying on the English Tradition of eccentric Passions. I wish they where more. You are going to have a lot of fun.

[@stevesparanormalworld]

I absolutely love this. Great adventures bodging what ever you need to, to get home, now loads of fun to be had in the future with what ever you plan to do with it. Love ut

[@australiantrains8988]

The body work, both inside and out, looks to be in very good shape, then again, it's a 1996 model and not 1976. A good tip, before hitting the road is do a full mechanical prep, checking for any leaks (fuel, air, lights, air bags, as it has a lean to the right and low at the back, plus water) and dodgy belts etc with the engine running for at least 15 minutes prior to setting out. It runs well on the road, so good luck Ben with spending your hard earned cash on the restoration project...have fun!😉

[@drummerboy1390]

That was a great bodge with the toothbrush.

[@johnkerr1115]

This video has given me the notion to buy a bus myself

[@r10ngy81]

New sub, looking forward to the next vid..

[@hayleycooper9299]

Love those old dms style busses ,will be an amazing project, best of luck!

[@MattyEngland]

Enjoyed the vid, looking forward to the rest of the series 👍 Nice fix with the toothbrush! 🙂

[@chiquita71]

Really enjoyed this, great content and engineering skills

[@daviddavies2072]

Great fun thank you for the video wishing you all the best in getting her up to spec 👍🇬🇧

[@harvo351]

I think you should name her Ilene . . . Cracking Job lads !!

[@kieranstravels]

Sick video! The best of luck with the purchase.

[@deanroberts187]

Great stuff. I drove a twin rear axle from Edinburgh to the Midlands. Was similar bus (used to be a Megabus).

[@uffo200]

Looking forward to joining you with the fun of the restoration. Well done and thank you all

[@mitchellhurd9300]

I loved every moment of that and it was interesting to see underneath. I'll be honest I was worried about the leaning but it's great to see you sorted it. How you all were determined I don't know as it required a lot of patience 😊. Good choice of bus to purchase 😊. Edit: So sorry I accidentally clicked on the thumbs down!

[@grahamrowley1691]

I enjoyed this video! Looking forward to the next instalment 🙂

[@mattjpearce]

Just subscribed, I can’t wait to watch your journey to the fully restored bus, keep up the awesome content guys 😁

[@Andy28548]

Brilliant video best of luck with the Olympian

[@toshie30191]

Good luck with the preservation of the bus, we passed when on the A90 at Forfar as I was sitting waiting to cross the road. I also preserve a bus myself, an Optare Solo.

[@pezzermra]

Absolute brill. I WAS A bus mechanic (Fitter) Well done lads With what limited space you had you did well.