The nostalgia of the 1970s rock scene is set to hit the auction block next month with a restored double-decker bus, initially used by Paul McCartney and his band Wings for their 1972 European tour. This bus, known as the 1953 Bristol KSW double-decker bus, with its striking blue, red, green, and yellow exterior featuring psychedelic artwork, is a testament to the free-spiritedness of the era. Former Beatle McCartney formed the American-British rock band Paul McCartney and Wings with his late wife Linda, drummer Denny Seiwell, and guitarist Denny Laine following the break-up of the legendary band The Beatles.
The bus, recognized by its registration number WNO 481, played a crucial role in the “Wings Over Europe” tour in the summer of 1972. “Paul and Linda had two young girls, the two Dennys from the band had wives and kids, and Paul didn’t want them to be in an enclosed bus. He wanted something fun,” shared Martin Nolan, founder of Julien’s Auctions, which is hosting the sale of the vehicle as part of its “Played, Worn, & Torn: Rock ‘n’ Roll Iconic Guitars and Memorabilia” auction. The bus, discovered in a dilapidated state in Spain, was restored by its owner to its original glory, once again becoming a fully functioning bus. “This bus went all over south of France and Germany and Finland…just a summer of fun with the Wings band,” reminisced Nolan.
Scheduled to be auctioned next month, the bus is expected to attract bids between $200,000 to $300,000. Julien’s Auctions will offer approximately 1,000 items, including iconic guitars played by legends such as Eric Clapton and Kurt Cobain. The auction is set to take place at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville and online from Nov. 16–18. This is a unique opportunity for fans and collectors alike to own a piece of rock history and relive the magic of the 1970s.
