Leyland ‘White Rose’

The elegant ‘White Rose’ is the only surviving example of a maximum capacity single deck ‘bus (with forward control driving position) of the 1920s, once very common in the mill towns of Lancashire and also North Wales. It is now completely unique.

Found by steam enthusiast, Mike Jones, in use as a farm trailer with water tank in North Wales, the body had been removed and used as a static caravan. It had been damaged by fire and was rescued by bus specialist Mike Sutcliffe who found the correct missing mechanical parts, and completed restoration in 2002. Mike is well known for the high standard of his early motorbus work, going to great lengths to ensure that every detail is absolutely authentic; in 2004 he was honoured by HM The Queen with an MBE for “Services to Motor Heritage”.

About this vehicle

The bus was acquired by The Shuttleworth Collection in 2016, made possible with substantial funds from the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society (SVAS) and a ‘living legacy’ from Mike, thereby ensuring its future for the public to see and enjoy for many years to come. With its elaborate white livery and signwriting it has proved popular for wedding hire, transporting many happy couples and their guests between the Swiss Garden and the House. ‘White Rose’ was the outright winner of the London to Brighton Commercial Run in 2002 and has won many other first prizes.