Calm down dear it's only a coach! Gary Richards is clearly getting into the holiday mood as he says: "I was trawling through the New South Wales State Library archives looking for Scammells when I found a couple of great pics - of semi coaches. At the risk of being ostracised by the BLB truck devotees, I thought I would share these stylish gems (and a few personal additions) with you---after all, they were really trucks carrying walk-on freight so I think they qualify!! The late 40's White (white semi bus) outside the White Sales office is ready for its maiden intrastate route to Northern NSW." Now click through here for more truck-based artic people carriers.....
Gazza continues: "This one to be a AEC being used on Sydney urban work." Dig the horse and cart in the background....
"The others are from my father's collection," says GR. "From his days in the early 50s as a coach captain for Murray Valley Coaches, piloting the Foden Viewmaster and various Gardner powered Whites to/from Adelaide."
"The roads were all dirt and rough so the passengers in the trailer were assured of a hot and dusty ride in summer, and drafty and cold in winter. Cheers Gary."
Great stuff GR....
I have few details of the NSW artics but the AEC appears to have a front diff and military hubs so it has almost certainly been convertted from a Matador 4x4. These artic buses also existed with the Western Australia Railways who used them as they were able to tow goods trailers when required, they had some Whites which were also old military trucks also converted to forward control and RHD as this allowed a longer trailer with a few more seats. There were also DG and FG Fodens and a Leyland Tiger half cab bus chassis that had been converted to an artic.
Great pics Gary.Is there any more info on "Gardner powered Whites"I assume the Gardners were retro fitted in Oz?
Cheers
Mike
The Gardners were fitted in Australia after the petrol motors had given up. Somewhere in the BLB archives are details of a book on "Murray Valley Coaches" who did a lot of these conversions.
Hi Pete. There was a fairground operator called Coles here in the UK and they too used 'double-deuce' Whites repowered by Gardner engines. I THINK they were 8LWs. They were certainly very long, but maybe they were only 6LWs.
I think Murray Valley coaches fitted 5LW, maybe 6LW Gardners. Have any of our UK lads got a photo of those Coles fairground lorries ?
Gary,
Great photo of the MVC Foden Viewmaster. Have you any original photos of the Fodens from your dad's days with MVC? If so, I would very much welcome scans to augment my collection. Please eMail me direct on petertulloch@aol.com.
Foden-nut
I have a beaut photo ofVieamaster my dad Jack Baker & Mum Edna& Jeff Higginson taken at Tumbarumba rodeo. M.V.C. was a respected & proud part of historic passenger & freight travel in the early days. I feel very privelidged to be an M.V.C. son.I ironically drive for a local coach co
Murray Valley Coaches were years ahead of their time and great to see any old photos. There is a lot in that book I mentioned in a previous posting http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/2008/12/australian-outback-adventuresa.html
If you cant get hold of a copy email me @yahoo.com.au and I can loan you mine
regards atkipete