Vintage charabancs (Page 2).
The charabanc photographs shown below continue on from those presented on this page, and as more turn up they'll be added in here. If anyone can help with more vintage scenes like this, please drop me a line. Jim sent me a collection of images featuring old Crossley charabancs, they now feature on a page dedicated to these Crossleys.
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The first charabanc to feature on this page was sent in by Jane in November 2009. Her grandfather was on a works' outing when it was taken - he worked for the LEB (London Electricity Board) for his entire working career. The charabanc owners' details are written on the side of the vehicle, although I can only make out part of the Garage name, and the location - Waltham Abbey. As with so many photos like this, the vehicle's front end isn't in shot, so whether anyone can identify this one from the details visible, I don't know.
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It certainly looks very well loaded - with some 32 people readied for the ride out - and a small legend on the lower body advises a maximum permissible speed of 12 mph. No chance of all those flat caps blowing off then. Thanks for sending it in Jane!
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Bristol Tramways & Carriage Company Ltd.
The next photo is one I found, mounted on card and titled "Motor Coach Tour 1925". I count 19 passengers on board, plus the photographer and a driver. So in other words a full load - a small inscription near the vehicle number (72 385) advises that this charabanc was designed with 20 passengers in mind. A closer look also reveals the following writing on the locker lid, ahead of the rear axle: "Bristol Tramways & Carriage Co. Ltd Henry F. Cooper - Secretary". Dunlop S S Cord tyres are fitted.
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The Bristol Tramways & Carriage Company Ltd was formed in 1887, following the merger of the Bristol Tramways Company and the Bristol Cab Company. In 1906 the company introduced motor buses for the first time, operating in the Bristol area alongside the trams they already had in service. In 1908 they introduced the first bus of their own manufacture, thus heralding the introduction of Bristol buses and charabancs to Britain's road network. Interest in these vehicles from other operators soon led to Bristol supplying vehicles to outside firms.
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Green Car Sight-Seeing Service.
Dane in Australia kindly emailed this next picture over, one he bought at a garage sale. He's done some research already, and it seems that the vehicle shown is a Lansden Electric, an unusual electrically-driven char-a-banc used on the Green Car Sight-Seeing Service offered by the Hotel Bartholdi, of Broadway and 23rd Street, New York USA. All the passengers look very well wrapped up, with blankets over their knees, plus thick coats and headgear much in evidence. This vehicle was No.6 in their fleet, I wonder how many electric vehicles in all they operated? The chain drive to the rear axle is visible, and presumably the batteries were stored in the lockers beneath the seats.
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Although not easy to see in this view, there is a Swastika painted between "B-Way" and "23rd St." on the side. This was at a time before Adolf and his cronies adopted the logo as their own, previously standing for good luck and prosperity. The Hotel Bartholdi operated bus tours of NYC for many years in the early 20th Century, and they made prints of these vehicles available to its passengers. Another period shot, again of vehicle No.6, can be found on this Connecticut History site, with a slightly different vehicle from the same fleet seen on the gettyimages.com.
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The Pride of Edmonton.
Angela is hoping that the vintage char-a-banc in this next photo can be identified. The only information she has is that it was photographed in Enfield, Middlesex. The signwriting on the door says "Pride of Edmonton", and in the centre, the operator who appears to have been E.G. Sykes. The original front-end panelwork reminds me very much of the Ford Model TT, a commercial vehicle version of Ford's Model T car, and this has since been confirmed. If anyone can shed more light on this particular vehicle, or the char-a-banc's operator, please get in touch.
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Florence Coaches.
Mike emailed this photo over, it shows his grandmother and a group of passengers ready for a day trip in a vintage char-a-banc of unknown make. Can anyone help with information on the operator of this vehicle - Florence Coaches - ??
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Return to Old Car Photos section, Page No. 10.
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