In Pictures: Bus enthusiasts restoring Hong Kong’s iconic double-decker

Two Hong Kong bus enthusiasts are meticulously restoring a rare Leyland Victory Mark II double-decker bus, a model once iconic to the city's streets. Chung, 42, and Terrence, 44, who asked to be identified only by their given names, purchased the bus in 2015 from a tunnel operator. It had been used for accident simulation training for nearly two decades. Despite its exterior appearing relatively intact after years of simulated rollovers, the interior was in disrepair. The duo has since invested more than HK$1.3 million and countless hours into bringing the bus back to its original late-1970s specifications. Chung, a bus repair specialist, single-handedly replaced the entire roof and interior. This extensive restoration is driven by more than just passion; it's about preserving a piece of Hong Kong's history. "You cannot find a Victory Mark II anywhere else in the world," Chung stated. "This model is really representative of Hong Kong people," added Terrence. The Leyland Victory Mark II, produced between 1978 and 1981, was specifically designed for Hong Kong's challenging, hilly terrain. These buses were a common sight from the late 1970s until their retirement from service in 2000. The specific bus undergoing restoration, registered as CL 2908, was decommissioned in 1998. Its subsequent role involved simulating rollover accidents twice a year for emergency responders. The enthusiasts took ownership in 2015 after hearing the tunnel operator was seeking a replacement vehicle.

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You cannot find a Victory Mark II anywhere else in the world.