The rare bus manufactured in Wolverhampton in 1957 - and a bid to restore it to its former glory

The bus, which dates back to 1957, is considered to be extremely rare by enthusiasts given its powerful 10.35 litre engine produced by Wolverhampton-based Meadows, most unlike the standard Arab engine which was a maximum of 8.4 litres.

The bus circulated around the city as the number three before retiring its service in 1972 to become a playbus for the Social Services department, providing entertainment and education for youngsters on board.

It was then saved by the Transport Museum Wythall in September 1981 where it remains today.

Though cosmetically restored in 2002, volunteers at the site now hope to raise around £40,000 to fully restore the bus with the help of specialist engineers and drive it through the streets of Wolverhampton once more.

Denis Chick, trustee at the museum, said: "We need to do quite a lot of work on the engine, it needs a complete re-build. It's quite a unique vehicle, there isn't another one like it anywhere.

"We will definitely want to come back to Wolverhampton when it's finished to show it off in the city because that's where it always was and where it should come back to.

"The engine is important because Meadows didn't make many engines in Wolverhampton – there wasn't that many of them made in the first place and this is the only one left.

"Those that donate money into this, when it's finished and they come back to the museum to ride on it, they will appreciate that they have made a big mark in the bus restoration world."

The museum has already received a generous donation towards the cause from a former trustee and transport enthusiast, Malcolm Keeley, but are now appealing to the public to help in raising the remaining funds.

Once it is restored, visitors to the Wythall attraction will have the opportunity to come aboard the bus and take a ride around the site.

To donate to the cause, go to wythall.org.uk/donatesuk3