THE DISCOVERY & RESTORATION STORY – FROM GARTH BROOKS’ GUITAR TO PAUL McCARTNEY’S BUS
The Magical History Tour de Force Ticket To Ride Restoration of Paul McCartney’s 1972 Wings Tour Bus in photos making it ready for its star appearance at The Classic Motor Show at The NEC.
In 1993 Paul McCartney’s 1972 Wings Tour Bus was sold after a Sothebys auction to a private buyer who took it down to Tenerife for display outside the palatial Harleys Rock Cafe. Later it was moved to the owner’s home and stored in a private compound where it remained for 22 years. By then the relentless blazing sun, souvenir hunters and vandals had taken their toll. The owner passed away in 2015 and in 2017 it was brought back to the UK.
Paul McCartney’s 2017 tweet to his millions of Followers looking for the bus. Also, a 2019 reply received from MPL wishing us well for the project and inviting photo’s once completed – more…
In October 2019 I went online looking to buy a Garth Brooks guitar and ended up buying Paul McCartney’s Bus – more…
For the next 4 years a journey of rescue, preservation and restoration brought it back to its glory days McCartney layout and livery. Flickr photo’s from 1953 to 2023
Fully documented major preservation restoration so that the bus could Get Back … to where it once belonged: Paul McCartney & Wings layout and livery. Flickr photo’s from 1953 to 2023
This banner showing some of the highlights of the restoration journey is 7ft high, is mounted on a banner stand and was displayed alongside the bus when the restoration was unveiled at The Classic Motor Show at The NEC in November 2022.
Click this link to download a hi-res 4K version
THE MECHANICAL OVERHAUL
Full service and mechanical overhaul completed – The Mechanical Overhaul
THE DESTINATION BLIND
Paul’s original was found in situ on the bus and is safely stored away. An exact replica has been made – The Destination Blind
THE TOP DECK COVER
In the style of Paul’s Wings Over America trucks the top deck cover displays the 1972 Wings Tour Bus logo so the news helicopters can make the most of it – The Top Deck Cover
PLATFORM SECURITY DOOR
A special custom security door has been fitted to secure the platform. Platform Security Door