21st Sep, 2011 15:00
Imperial War Museum Duxford
1949 Bedford OB Coach
Estimated at £18,000 - £22,000
Lot details
Registration No: DFX 932
Chassis No: 0B105190
Mot Expiry: April 2012
The Bedford OB first appeared in 1939, literally weeks before the onset of WWII. It formed part of a range of new Bedford models that included the 'O' type lorry chassis. Duple modified their Hendonian body to fit the new 14ft 6in wheelbase and the OB coach was created. Though only some 73 examples were achieved before Bedford had to turn its factory over to the war effort, a further 12,693 are understood to have been completed between 1945 and 1951 when production ceased. The ash framework was reinforced with steel and the main floor manufactured from hardwood and tongue and groove boarding. The cab area was finished in alloy chequerplate. Passenger luggage was mainly carried on overhead racks. The price of a complete coach, including two-tone livery, was a princely £1,414 10s. One source suggests that some 180 OB coaches remain in existence, almost 70 of which are in a roadworthy state and circa 30 of those are licensed to carry passengers.
'DFX 932' was manufactured in 1949 and is presented in its original Green and Cream livery of Abbots Motor Services of Piddletrenthide (yes really!), Dorset. The 28-seater interior is trimmed in Green Ambla. Power comes from a 3.8-litre straight-six petrol engine that drives through a four-speed manual gearbox. Evidently the V5C and original buff log book show a total of just five keepers from new. The vendor considers the bodywork, paintwork, trim, engine and transmission as all "good" and the older restoration to "have survived well - particularly the interior". He informs us that the OB still contains many original fittings, and "is very reliable and drives surprisingly well". This splendid period coach is taxed and MOT'd into April 2012 and requires a new owner that can use it as intended - do you have 28 good friends?!
PLEASE NOTE: Since the catalogue went to press we have been informed that Bedford OB coaches left the factory with 3519cc straight-six engines. The V5C Registration Document for this lot indicates that it is fitted with a 3.8-litre engine.
Registration No: DFX 932
Chassis No: 0B105190
Mot Expiry: April 2012
The Bedford OB first appeared in 1939, literally weeks before the onset of WWII. It formed part of a range of new Bedford models that included the 'O' type lorry chassis. Duple modified their Hendonian body to fit the new 14ft 6in wheelbase and the OB coach was created. Though only some 73 examples were achieved before Bedford had to turn its factory over to the war effort, a further 12,693 are understood to have been completed between 1945 and 1951 when production ceased. The ash framework was reinforced with steel and the main floor manufactured from hardwood and tongue and groove boarding. The cab area was finished in alloy chequerplate. Passenger luggage was mainly carried on overhead racks. The price of a complete coach, including two-tone livery, was a princely £1,414 10s. One source suggests that some 180 OB coaches remain in existence, almost 70 of which are in a roadworthy state and circa 30 of those are licensed to carry passengers.
'DFX 932' was manufactured in 1949 and is presented in its original Green and Cream livery of Abbots Motor Services of Piddletrenthide (yes really!), Dorset. The 28-seater interior is trimmed in Green Ambla. Power comes from a 3.8-litre straight-six petrol engine that drives through a four-speed manual gearbox. Evidently the V5C and original buff log book show a total of just five keepers from new. The vendor considers the bodywork, paintwork, trim, engine and transmission as all "good" and the older restoration to "have survived well - particularly the interior". He informs us that the OB still contains many original fittings, and "is very reliable and drives surprisingly well". This splendid period coach is taxed and MOT'd into April 2012 and requires a new owner that can use it as intended - do you have 28 good friends?!
PLEASE NOTE: Since the catalogue went to press we have been informed that Bedford OB coaches left the factory with 3519cc straight-six engines. The V5C Registration Document for this lot indicates that it is fitted with a 3.8-litre engine.
Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 21st Sep, 2011
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