Bus Shite

[willswitchengage]

Talking of funny imported coaches, these things are beautiful. Isuzu Gala/Hino S'Elega, RHD too so perfect for some UK operator to import

 

[wuvvum]

I must say, there have been some beauties on this page.

 

Let me even it up with something hideous:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Unregiste ... 2a26543e84

 

The wheels look about 10" tall!

I love the fact that a brand new unregistered coach has the words "Emergency stop on key" scrawled across the dash in Tippex.

[dollywobbler]

Beautiful? Nah! I think coaches have gone a bit wrong after this beauty hit the market way back in 1983, when operators were still using Duple and Plaxton bodied stuff - which rather lacked the grace. I give you the aptly named Bova Futura. Happy 30th birthday!

 

EDIT. Oh gawd. Even the mighty Futura has gone all ugly these days. This is hideous! (and the image is small to protect your eyes)

[willswitchengage]

 

 

Oh, and when Neoplan saw the sky as the limit with size. Mercedes 16L V10. Fnar! Fnar!

[oman5]

For daring to be different, this is my favourite. The dyslexically named Irizar Urko.

 

[Pillock]

I quite like the look of that Isuzu thing. What's the chances of it not passing some UK test and never being allowed to operate?

The one above looks like it's been in a shunt that's taken 20' off the length.

[willswitchengage]

If all these cheapo King Long things can make it over here, then maybe...

 

That Irizar looks to be impersonating one of the U S and A's most numerous coaches:

 

Through Vacation Wonderland by Greyhound Scenicruiser by The Pie Shops Collection, on Flickr

[oman5]

If all these cheapo King Long things can make it over here, then maybe...

 

That Irizar looks to be impersonating one of the U S and A's most numerous coaches:

 

Through Vacation Wonderland by Greyhound Scenicruiser by The Pie Shops Collection, on Flickr

 

most numerous? Scenicruisers are rare, aren't they? maybe 200 left at the most

[willswitchengage]

I meant back in the day, I thought they were quite somewhat ubiquious in the 60s.

 

One for Metrobi of these parts:

 

[Inspector Morose]

Mmm, Voith. Three speed?

 

Edited: before replying read the sodding eBay ad...

 

So a 4 speed from out of an '86 Metrobus? Sounds like its out of one of the WM dual purpose metros.

[Joseph]

I'd love to run an 'executive' coach company, which exclusively runs vehicles from Mercedes Benz. Vehicles like this:

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-L608 ... 2ec5a53916

 

Pre-camper conversion, of course...

[Split_Pin]

Didnt know Plaxton put Coach Bodies on the early T2's like that.

[Junkman]

[Junkman]

Even L608:

 

 

But no evidence of L/O319.

[Joseph]

Recently de-commissioned from providing sterling service in the First Bus fleet (only kidding ):

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bedford-Ca-Ut ... 417010bd24

 

'Utilabrake?' 'Utilabroke', more like...

[Split_Pin]

Those little Mercs are good looking wee things but the Plaxtons Bedford Cf is the ultimate!

[brickwall]

This might be of note to Glasgow bus shite lovers, but I notices Ann's Coaches still operate some of the dinky half sized coaches and some older full sized things. I passed one the other day on the road to Balloch. I think they are based in Kirkintilloch. I tried to use Streetview to get a peek at the depot, but couldn't really see.

[Joseph]

Those little Mercs are good looking wee things but the Plaxtons Bedford Cf is the ultimate!

 

The Mercs look like Dinky toys!

 

This might be of note to Glasgow bus shite lovers, but I notices Ann's Coaches still operate some of the dinky half sized coaches and some older full sized things. I passed one the other day on the road to Balloch. I think they are based in Kirkintilloch. I tried to use Streetview to get a peek at the depot, but couldn't really see.

 

Yes, Ann's Coaches are still going, and used to do the school contract for the local primary school when I was there about ten years ago!

 

Toyota Caetano coaches and Merc minicoaches were their favourite choices of transport...

[mrcitroen]

Anns coaches have always ran super shite.

 

Kellys of Castlecary ran a mid / late 70's Duple bodied Bedford minicoach until relatively recently.

[Joseph]

I've only seen Kelly's Merc Sprinter doing school runs, but sadly haven't seen the old Duple which you mentioned.

 

Another local operator which runs old shite is Dunn's Bus & Coach, which seems to run all sorts of elderly shite...

[quicksilver]

A mate of mine loves the little Plaxton-bodied CFs and has owned four of them. He also had this PMT Ami and frankly all of PMT's bodies looked a bit shite.

Mais oui, mon Ami by quicksilver coaches, on Flickr

 

On the subject of Mercs with Plaxton bodies, how about this one-off effort built at Ware on an 811D?

Before the Payneful end by quicksilver coaches, on Flickr

 

Unfortunately this is how it ended up

Paramount no longer by quicksilver coaches, on Flickr

[brickwall]

The Ann's Coaches I saw kinda looked like this

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59599018@N07/6375755231/

 

It was splendid all polished up!

[Albert Ross]

This was on BBC Look North this evening, the young lad has restored it apparently (But may not be licenced to drive it I think) and took it back to South Yorks to see his Nan!

[M'coli]

I've just watched that! The lead-in footage some 5-10 minutes before the item shows them in 1987 (possibly when the buses were de-regulated), there's what looked like an old Bedford in the shot.

[willswitchengage]

Don't forget how successful the British riposte was, albeit the disappeared so much faster:

 

[Joseph]

Here's the Dunn's offering which I was talking about:

 

 

Could probably win a 'who is noisier' competition with a Leyland Tiger...

[Justin Case]

A small fleet of these ubershite Mercedes (the oldest I have seen is a P reg) still ply the streets of Wolverhampton, but with the DDA surely their days are numbered. Enjoy while you can

 

Mercedes Midibus Banga Travel, by geoffp5, on Flickr

[Split_Pin]

Those little Varios are ace to spot!

 

The Plaxtons Beaver 2 body was smart, I have a Corgi model. Not sure what coat this one is wearing though. It doesn't look like either an Alexander ALX 100 or Marshall Master.

[Joseph]

Re: Bus Shite

by IainL » Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:09 am

 

Those little Varios are ace to spot!

 

The Plaxtons Beaver 2 body was smart, I have a Corgi model. Not sure what coat this one is wearing though. It doesn't look like either an Alexander ALX 100 or Marshall Master.

 

I also think the Plaxton Beaver 2's are quite smart! Much better than the Cheetahs!

 

The one above looks a bit like an Alexander ALX:

 

[brickwall]

Joseph, what make were mostly the "I'm yer wee happy bus", crap that used to scoot around?