Crawley Ridley Collection

The Crawley Ridley collection is mostly held in a large shed which makes photography difficult.The record here is based on notes made on a visit in July 2005. I was unable to photograph most of the collection. Visitors are not encouraged so I am giving no information on how to find it.

A large number of vehicles in the collection were formerly owned by Martin Smith of Masterton. Martin Smith ran services from Masterton to Carterton, Castlepoint and Plamerston North.

Leyland Cub Martin Smith #1. This bus has a body that was originally built in 1927 for a Commerce chassis. In 1931 regulations on buses were introduced that prevented vehicles being operated with loads greater than the manufacturers GVW. This had been a common practice. The body B25F body was transferred to a Leyland Cub. Photo: Mike Butler.

The interior of Martin Smith #1. Photo Mike Butler

A notice inside Martin Smith 1 showing the joint timetable operated with J. E. Wrigley between Masterton and Palmerston North. Photo Mike Butler

Leyland Cub Martin Smith #3. Delivered 24 Dec 1934. The B23F body was refurbished in 1950s. Permanent registration plate is ES9877. Photo: Mike Butler.

Cadillac Martin Smith #5. A 1937 Cadillac service car with Buick grille used on the Castlepoint run until 1954 when it was replaced by the Ford V8 below. The vehicle was retained by Martin Smith as a backup until 1963 when it went to Peter Ash for the Wairoa-Waikaremoana service. It remained in service on that run unitl 1964 making it the last Cadillac service car to operate in revenue service. Permanent registration plate is DO1547 Photos: Mike Butler.

1949 Ford V8 Martin Smith #5 This Ford V8 is a 1949 model with the body built in 1954. It replaced the Cadillac on the Castlecliff run. When service to Castlecliffe ceased it was used on the Masterton - Palmerston North run, especially on Sundays when loads were lighter. Photo: Mike Butler.

Other Martin Smith buses. Not photographed are :
Number 8. A 1950 petrol Leyland Comet normal control. Number 7. Ford V8 CS6550 Number 2. Leyland Comet normal control. CS6548 The last bus body by Crawley Ridley.

Another focus of the collection is Cadillac service cars - especially those owned by Newmans.

Cadillac Service Car replica This service car is an ex-NZRRS body mounted on the chassis of a Cadillac truck found on a farm. Photo: Mike Butler.

Newmans Cadillac number 7 1937 Cadillac that remined in service until 1954. Orignally a North Island vehicle it was transferred late in its life to the South Island. It was converted to a motor caravan and acquired the bubble on the roof after sale from Newmans and before purchase by Crawley Ridley. Photo: Mike Butler.

Newmans Cadillac Number 9 A 1936 Cadillac service car used on "The Dominion" service to woodville until 1946 when it went to the South Island.

Also in the collection is an ex-Webb, Raetihi 1935 Cadillac service car. this is a lot shorter than the Newmans ones and retains more of the Cadillac appearance

Other vehciles in the collection are:

• Nelson Suburban Buses number 14. 1958 AEC Reliance CT3907. This can be seen in the background of photos of the Martin Smith Cadillac.
• Weld Motors 1942 Federal EO8261
• Newmans North Island Royal Tiger. This is one of several that were supplied to Newmans. Most had the bodies replaced in the 1960s with NZMB bodies. The bodies were sold to other operators. Many were placed on AEC chassis by Commercial Buses for use on Titirangi services.
• Commercial Buses number 2. Bedford VAM DF2687. This is one of the Royal Tiger bodies sold by Newmans. It is still in the colours of Edwards Buses of Tuakau, its last operator.
• Wellington City Transport Leyland Cub Tar Transporter. WCT cab and Crawley Ridley tank body
• NZRRS 1937 Leyland Cub FW3707. This was rebodied by NZMB with a wooden prototype for the Steelbuilt body applied to many Ford V8s and Bedfords in the 1950s.
• Leyland TS8 chassis ex-L J Keys who operated services to Auckland's eastern bays
• Southland News Leyland Cub
• Diamond T ex-White Bus Service, Dannevirke with Cavanagh body. This is in poor condition and has been much modified with Bedford components. It will not be kept
• Ford V8 chassis. Ex-Timaru City Council?
• Nimons Number 5. An ex-Newmans Royal Tiger body on a Seddon Mk19 chassis. Photo Mike Butler

Last Updated 23 July 2005