Bus design is often taken for granted, yet from the earliest days of motorbuses coachbuilders have worked hard to produce vehicles that are both attractive and practical. From the 1950s, bus builders and operators have faced the challenges of new shapes and layouts with the widespread adoption of underfloor and rear-engine designs and there was recognition that passengers expected something rather better than a basic bus if they were to leave their cars at home.

This new ebook looks at the development and evolution of bus design and covers the years from 1950 to the present day to reveal just how the UK’s bus builders have risen to the challenge and produced buses with the elusive ‘wow factor’. The book is packed with photographs, many of which are professionally-taken official bodybuilders’ or operators’ views as these show the many important design features clearly and in detail. These photographs are supported by in-service views, showing the bus in its working environment.

This beautifully designed and illustrated book will appeal not only to ardent road transport enthusiasts, but will also be of interest to bus manufacturers and designers, and anyone interested in industrial design.

Gavin Booth