377 in service © unknown -RVPT collection

377 was heavily modified for its role with the Cheshire Home but is still recognisibly a Leyland body © G . Meek

377 photographed in April 2007 undergoing restoration © C. Fenner

Notes: Ribble invested heavily in underfloor engined single deckers in the early 1950s. 377 is one of a batch of 110 Leyland bodied Royal Tigers taken into stock in 1951/2. It was delivered in October 1952 and began its career at Carlisle. It moved around quite a lot during its time with Ribble before being withdrawn in 1965 from Skerton.
Having suffered rear end collision damage it was chosen to be converted into a suitable vehicle for the Cheshire Home in the Lake District. The conversion was carried out by Ribble who fitted a wheelchair lift at the rear and with all but eight seats removed it had adequate room to carry wheelchair passengers. The rebuilding changed the external appearance of the bus although the lift conversion was neatly done.
377 was maintained by Ribble at Ambleside and spent its life undercover. It was therefore a good preservation candidate and was acquired by the RVPG in the mid-1980s. Preliminary restoration work is underway and it will be one of the few examples of this type of bodywork when it reappears on the road.

Restoration back to its original state started in 2006 , it has now had its wheelchair lift and rear doors removed and panels stripped. In 2008/9 it has been stripped further removing most of the floor and the front dome as this needs straightening. It is also to be completely rewired.