We bought this coach in June 2002 after a lengthy search.  The O series chassis was first introduced by Bedford in 1939, just prior to the outbreak of war in Europe.  The OB being a stretched bus chassis derived from the O series lorry design. The Ministry of Supply sanctioned the production of the OWB "utility" bus during the hostilities and production of the OB coach resumed in the late 1940's.  Nearly 13,000 OB chassis were produced before production ended in 1951 - the vast majority receiving bodies by the well-known firm of Duple, based in Hendon, North London.  Ours has the most common type - the 29 seat luxury Vista coach body. As far as we know, there are around 50 remaining OB coaches, probably less than half of which number are still roadworthy.

Bedford OB's, especially when fitted with the Duple Vista body are the classic example of the British touring coach of the immediate post war period.  It is probably true to say that every coach operator had at least one on their fleet - being used by both large national coach companies and the owner-driver operators. Additionally, whenever a film (movie) of the period required a coach, it would inevitably be an OB that appeared.  There's a story that Pinewood Studios owned an OB and that it was bought for "The Titfield Thunderbolt" (which immediately raises suspicion as this film was made by Ealing Studios).  Seemingly, 3 people lay claim to ownership of this vehicle.  No doubt one has the chassis, one has the body and the third has the engine!

Power is by a 28 hp, 6 cylinder petrol engine, driving the rear wheels though a "crash" gearbox.  A "crash" gearbox has no synchromesh and so gear changes need to be well-timed and carried out with precision if a nasty grinding of gears is to be avoided.  A side-effect of the gearbox design is that at certain speeds a very characteristic "whine" is emitted that cannot be confused with any other vehicle on the road.

Stopping is well up to modern standards and was probably ahead of its time when these vehicles were built.  Brakes are hydraulic with powerful vacuum assistance.

Originally, we believed that JAB 867 was supplied new to the Worcester based company of Burnhams. However, research has shown that it was new to Wright Brothers in Kidderminster and subsequently sold on to Burnhams who used our coach until the business closed in 1967 when it seems the coach was sold into scrap to live out its days like so many others on a farm, probably as a chicken shed.  It was initially rescued in 1994 by Mr. E Farrell of Chester, who started its restoration. A replacement engine was fitted - apparently bought from an Army surplus auction and previously unused.

In early 1999, it was purchased by Dick and Kathy Gudgeon of Lancaster who completed the restoration.  Taking over 800 hours of work, most of the body work was rebuilt, the interior was retrimmed and replacement seats installed.  In July 1999, it passed its MOT test at the first attempt having been stood for 32 years and was back on the road.  For health reasons, Dick decided to sell the coach and we were fortunate to be able to acquire it.

We got this vehicle through its PSV certification and used it on wedding and private hire, along with some TV work.  The interior was getting decidedly scruffy and so this was also treated to reupholstering - as this "before and after" image shows...

We sold it, rather reluctantly, in the late summer of 2005 to Gordon Taylor, who has since exported it to New Zealand where he is planning to operate it along side his Morris Commercial Char-a-banc. Gordon ran into many problems with officialdom in New Zealand and so in September 2006, JAB 867 was repatriated to the UK.

In September 2002, we entered the OB in the Bournemouth to Bath road run, organised by "Commercial Transport in Preservation".  We were very pleased to be awarded the "Norman Aish Shield" for the best preserved PSV (public service vehicle) in the event.  Then, in 2005, we were also awarded a Cup by the "Thorneycroft Society" at the Basingstoke Festival, again for best single deck PSV.

An article on this vehicle appeared in the November 2002 edition of "Heritage Commercials" magazine, including a picture taken during the Bath run.

A few pictures of OB's are shown below. They are "thumbnails" - if you click on the image, you'll open a high resolution image in your browser.  Use the browser "back" function to return to this page.  All pictures on this page, unless otherwise noted were taken by Kevin Warrington.

FIrst we have a collection of OB's present at the "Bedford Gathering", held in Cambridge over the August Bank Holiday weekend.  We're in the middle of this group.  You'll probably notice that while every vehicle is a Bedford OB with a Duple Vista body, no two are identical.  Observe the shapes of the destination panels and the windscreens and the differing style of headlights.  The real experts can tell the year of build from theses detail differences.

Earlier in the year, we went along to the "Queen Elizabeth Country Fair", held on Butser Hill near Petersfield in perfect weather.  Here we see the OB approaching the show, surrounded by admiring on-lookers.  During this weekend event, we were approached by a lady who had actually travelled on our coach when it was operated by Burnhams.

And now an image of us at RAF Colerne at the end of the Bournemouth to Bath run.

The OB has a most unsophisticated set of controls and instruments, especially compared with modern coaches.  A combined ignition and light switch, a choke control and starter are on the dash and engine cowl, while the comprehensive instrument panel has a speedometer and a fuel gauge (which moves towards "empty" with alarming speed).  There is also a dip switch for the headlights (not that it makes a huge difference as we have genuine period headlights fitted) on the engine cowl and a control for the "trafficators" - as they are described in the driver's manual - just below the driver's windscreen.  A set of bakelite switches control the interior lighting and advert panel lights.  Heating and ventilation is very simple.  Heat comes from the engine cowl and ventilation is achieved by opening the  windscreen or drop light in the emergency door. Notice also the ergonomics of the driver's seat...