Bedford coach.
In all I have three photographs of this classic Bedford SB coach. The first shows the unfortunate coach having encountered a soft verge at the side of a country lane. How it ended up in the verge is anyone's guess, perhaps he pulled over to let an oncoming vehicle through, or maybe swerved to avoid a clueless pheasant. Whatever, the passengers have exited the vehicle, and one decided to walk a little way back down the road and take this shot of the forlorn Bedford. The outside rear wheel on the offside is in the air entirely, and grooves in the grass verge illustrate that the coach travelled some way along the verge before coming to a halt at this drunken angle.
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The coach's registration is 1230 MC, a London series first used in 1961. The operator appears to be H. Martin, of Uxbridge. Does anyone remember this operator, or their coaches?
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The second photograph I have of 1230 MC shows two young chaps stood in front of the Bedford, with it's "bonnet", or radiator cover, removed. Whether these photographs were taken before or after the incident above, I'm not sure.
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The final picture in this trio presents a clearer view of the second coach parked alongside the H. Martin SB. This other vehicle looks to be a Plaxton-bodied SB, although I'm sure someone will be able to confirm or contradict this theory.
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Return to Page 13 in the classic & vintage car photo gallery.
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