AEC Bridgemaster

The AEC Bridgemaster was a front-engined low-height double-decker bus chassis manufactured by AEC from 1956 to 1963.

The AEC Bridgemaster was introduced by AEC in 1956 to meet the demand of low-height double-deckers from municipal and independent bus operators across the United Kingdom, which were barred from purchasing the Bristol Lodekka. It was designed as a fully-integral vehicle, utilising two sub frames like the contemporary Routemaster. Four pre-production examples were bodied by Crossley with an aluminium body; production examples bodied by Park Royal were introduced from 1958 with steel body frames at the request of British Electric Traction.

In 1960 a forward-entrance version with slightly different driveline layout was introduced. A total of 180 were produced before it was superseded by the AEC Renown in 1963. East Yorkshire Motor Services were the largest customer, purchasing 50.

• AEC Bridgemaster initial styling concept.

• Rear-entrance AEC Bridgemaster chassis layout.

• AEC Bridgemaster body frame.

• First pre-serial AEC Bridgemaster, registration YDH225, chassis number MB3RA001, bodywork by Crossley with H41/31R layout, entered into service with Walsall in Nov. 1956.

• Second pre-serial AEC Bridgemaster, registration 9JML, chassis number MB3RA002, bodywork by Crossley with H41/31R layout, in the service of the Birmingham Corporation.

• Brown, Stuart J (2013). The Lodekka Alternatives. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing.