Photographs of classic coaches in use.
Several coaches, and a good number of char-a-bancs, already feature in the photographic section of the site. This page will contain photographs of as-yet un-identified coaches and/or operators, from the 1930s and later.
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1. Phoceens coach, Nice, 1938.
The first is this fine high-up shot of an open-top coach, operated by Phoceens Cars of Nice. The date was 29th June, 1938. In the background is Monte Carlo, in the Principality of Monaco. Does anyone recognise the make of coach shown here? Hopefully its distinctive bonnet and louvres will look familiar to someone.
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This was a popular stop for the Phoceens' coaches, as a number of 1930's photographs featuring different coaches at this precise location can be found online, namely (external links) here, here, and here.
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2. A line-up of coaches in Scotland, 1960s.
Next, a line-up of interesting old coaches parked outside Edinburgh Castle, with each vehicle sporting its own individual coachbuilt bodywork. I can make out two registrations. The third coach from the left hasn't travelled far - it's registered KSC 542 - an Edinburgh issue of 1953 or thereabouts. Next along, is a coach from Barnsley, registered VHE 211 in 1961.
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3. Outside Blair Atholl Castle, 1958.
This came from the same batch of photos as the previous example, but appears to date from 1958, so a few years earlier. The location is Blair Atholl Castle. To the left is a smart motor-coach - possibly a Bedford SB? - with a number of classic cars also in evidence. These include a brace of Standard 10s, a Mk2 Consul, a black Austin Sheerline, and a rare Singer Hunter. The Castle looks like it was ready for a lick of paint!
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4. To pre-war Germany.
The following photo was taken in Nürnberg (Nuremberg), Bavaria in the 1930s. The coach is in the process of being loaded up with luggage on its roof, a hatted chap is perched high up on the vehicle's rear corner, and is being passed a passenger's hat box.
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5. Coaches plus ship.
The location of this next photo is believed to be Naples, with the Castel Nuovo in the background. A line-up of classic coaches is parked up alongside the sizeable vessel, its passengers disembarking down the steps - interestingly liveried with the initials P. & O. S. N. Co., for the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, or P&O for short. A Commonwealth flag can be seen attached to the ship's flagpole. No name is visible on the side of the ship, nor on any of the vehicles in view. A section of signwriting that has been applied to the sides of the coach nearest the camera can be seen, through the unidentified car's windows, but I doubt that there is enough to aid the identification of the vehicles' owner(s):
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Return to Page 15 in the gallery of vintage cars and vehicles.
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