77HBC

Now restored and in use as London-Crepe Cafe in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, is former Leicester Titan PD3A/1 c/n L02411 with Park Royal B49997 body registered 77HBC. New in 4/64 as fleetnumber 77 and part of a batch 76-80, it was reportedly exported to Japan in 1980/1 and worked as a tourist bus until 2002 at Phoenix Zoo in Miyazaki City and Daguri Amusement Park, Shibushi City, Kagashima Prefecture. However the Japanese sources differ as to the time periods. An early photo in Japan-

murakamikomachi.sakura.ne.jp/bus/shinko/1980/1.html

 

After falling into disuse, a Japanese report says that 77 HBC was later put up for public auction and was bought for preservation by Mr. Teruhisa Matsuda of Miyazaki. However he had no storage for the Titan, so a mate at a used car dealership in Shioji, Miyazaki, agreed to store the bus, as it would attract visitors. The newspaper report says 'Mr. Matsuda's dream is to build a museum that collects famous cars related to this prefecture. More than 10 years have passed since he left the bus at the dealership, but he still has no prospect of funding his aim, but his motivation is accelerating, saying, ``I don't want to give up and want to recruit supporters.''

77HBC remained on site and suffered badly from weather damage, but In summer 2021 77HBC was sold to become the London Crepe Cafe. As the bus was too tall to transport on Japanese roads, it was cut in half along the centre to be taken away for extensive restoration. It was later joined back again and opened in its new role in 2/23. Photo c/o new owner and plenty of photos -

www.instagram.com/london__crepe/

 

Done