New authentic chrome wipers are found

In service: 1970 - 1984

From when CRG163 was new in 1970, chrome windscreen wipers were fitted until the vehicle’s withdrawal from Crosville in 1984 as can be seen from the following photographs.

CRG163 is seen here heading from Liverpool to London on service X1 in 1970.

CRG163 is seen parked at the rear of Crosville’s Edge Lane depot, Liverpool in April 1976 In the ’NATIONAL’ white livery carried from 1972 to 1979.

CRG163 is seen here in Menai Bridge, Anglesey in the early 1980’s having been downgraded to ERG163 status, reflected in the dual purpose white and green livery of the day.  ERG163 would be based at Crosville’s Amlwch depot from 1979 to the vehicle’s withdrawal by the company in 1984

Into Initial Preservation: 1984 - 2002

When the vehicle entered into its initial preservation period with Gordon Bate in 1984 following withdrawal by Crosville, the chrome wipers originally fitted were not present in subsequent photographs.  It seems that the chrome wipers had been replaced by more standard black wipers.

Preserved CRG163 can be seen here in preservation with Gordon Bate between 1984 and 2002.

CRG163 is seen again in preservation with Gordon Bate sometime between 1984 and 2002.

CRG163 as seen on a farm in January 2001 under the final throws of preservation under the ownership of Gordon Bate.

Further preservation: 2002 onwards

Since my ownership of CRG163 from 2002 onwards the vehicle has maintained standard black wipers, as locating authentic chrome wipers as originally fitted has been difficult.

However earlier this week a break through was made as new and authentic chrome wipers were finally found, which arrived safely today.

Over the coming weeks these wipers will be fitted to CRG163 this restoring the vehicle’s originality.

The new chrome windscreen wipers were found on e-bay, from a seller named ‘bus-sparks’ on the e-bay site.  The seller was extremely helpful indeed and is highly recommended to any one wishing to find authentic vintage bus parts from back in the day for their preserved vehicles.  The seller himself is based in Yorkshire and is a retired professional PSV electrician from the bus industry.  My grateful thanks for a first class service.

The new wipers as seen when the package was opened following delivery.

As the wipers had been stored for a number of years the chrome and rubber on both wipers were cleaned as can be seen from the photograph.

The chrome of the wipers shining after cleaning.

Another image of the new chrome windscreen wipers.

The new chrome windscreen wipers looking excellent.

The new chrome windscreen wipers shining in the sun light.