Category: Gilford

WILLOWBROOK Ltd Coachbuilders Loughborough Leicestershire England UK

1954 Willowbrook ltd Derby Road Loughborough Leicestershire

WILLOWBROOK Ltd.

derby-road-loughborough-leicestershire-england-UK

1954 Willowbrook ltd Derby Road Loughborough Leicestershire 1935 Bedford JU6301 with Willowbrook C25F body 1935 Dennis Lancet with Willowbrook C31F body 1935 Gilford UT7836 A56 coach - The Ellen - Willowbrook body 1935 Leyland TD4 dating with a Willowbrook L27-28R body fitted in 1949 1937 AEC Regal 712, RC4613 Willowbrook B35F body 1937 AEC Regal with Willowbrook B35F body, rebodied by Willowbrook in 1950 1937 AEC Regent with a Weymann body and rebodied in October 1948 by Willowbrook 1938 Bristol K5Gs with ECW L23-24R bodies. It was, along with the others rebodied in 1951 by Willowbrook with the L27-26R body 1938 Daimler COG5 new to Trent and rebodied by Willowbrook in 1943 1939 Albion with Willowbrook C39F body 1939 BMMO SON with a Willowbrook B34F body 1939 Bristol K5G dating which had been rebodied in 1951 with this Willowbrook L27-26R body 1939 Bristol K5G with Willowbrook body 1939 Daimler COG5-40 with Willowbrook C35F body 1939 Leyland Tiger TS8 converted to a tower wagon with a Willowbrook body 1943 Guy Arab II fitted with a Strachan L27-28R body when new in 1943. It was rebodied in 1950 with the Willowbrook L27-26R body 1945 Guy Arab II originally with a utility Park Royal H30-26R body and numbered 41. In 1953 it was rebodied with a Willowbrook H30-26R body 1946 AEC Regal with Willowbrook B34F body 1946 Bristol L5G with Willowbrook body 1946 Willowbrook bodied Daimler CVD6 1947 AEC Regal 752, RC9658, with a Willowbrook B35F body 1947 AEC Regals with Willowbrook B35F bodies which were rebuilt by Willowbrook to FDP39F in 1958 1947 AEC Regent with Willowbrook H30-26R body 1948 AEC Regal with Willowbrook 35 seat half cab front entrance bus 1948 Crossley DD42-5 with a Willowbrook H28-26R body 1948 Daimler CVD6 GYG205 with Willowbrook DP35F body 1948 Leyland Tiger PS1 given a Willowbrook double deck body in 1957 1949 AEC Regal 703, NJO703, has Willowbrook dual purpose 32 seat body 1949 AEC Regal III - Willowbrook body 1949 AEC Regal III with Willowbrook B34F body 1949 Leyland Tiger PS1, originally fitted with a Duple coach body and numbered 560, KAL380, but rebodied in 1957 with a Willowbrook L31-30R body 1949 Willowbrook 1950 AEC Regal III with Crossley gearbox and Willowbrook DP33F body 1950 Daimler CVD6 with Willowbrook B35F body 1950 Leyland Tiger PS1 with Willowbrook body 1950 Willowbrook DP33F bodied Leyland PS2-3 1951 Guy Arab III with Willowbrook FH27-26F body 1951 Leyland PSU1-11 Royal Tiger with a Willowbrook B43F body 1951 Willowbrook C33C bodied Leyland PSU1-11 Royal Tiger 1951 Willowbrook FH27-26F bodied Leyland PS1-4 new in 1951 and named 'Oudenarde' 1952 Willowbrook B44R bodied Atkinson Alpha chassis 1952 Willowbrook C37C bodied A.E.C. 9821S Regal IVs 1952 Willowbrook H32-28R body on a Sunbeam F4 chassis 1953 3-axle Sunbeam S7 with Willowbrook H62D body 1953 AEC 9822S Regal IV with a Willowbrook C41F body 1953 AEC Regal IV with Willowbrook C39C body 1953 Sunbeam F4 with Willowbrook H32-28R body 1953 Willowbrook C37C bodied Leyland Royal Tiger 1954 AEC Regent III with lowbridge Willowbrook bodywork 1954 Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1-2T with Willowbrook C39R body 1954 Sunbeam F4A with Willowbrook H70R body 1954 Willowbrook C41C bodied Daimler D650HS Freeline 1954 Willowbrook ltd Derby Road Loughborough Leicestershire 1955 A.E.C. MU3RV Reliance with a Willowbrook B43F body 1955 Leyland L1 Leopard with Willowbrook B45F body 1955 Sunbeam F4A trolleybus with Willowbrook 70 seat rear entrance bodywork 1955 Sunbeam F4A with a distinctive Willowbrook body 1955 Willowbrook C41F bodied AEC Monocoach 1956 AEC Regent V with Willowbrook body 1956 AEC Reliance MU3RV with Willowbrook DP41F bodywork 1956 AEC Reliance with Willowbrook body 1956 Albion Nimbus MR9N Willowbrook B31F at Didcot Garage 1956 Atkinson BPL745H buses bought by Venture. Like the others this had a Willowbrook body, B45F 1956 Daimler 836, WDH911with willowbrook body 1956 Guy Arab LUFs with Willowbrook C37C bodies 1956 Leyland Tiger Cub with Willowbrook DP41F body 1957 AEC Regent V MD3RV with Willowbrook H32-28R bodywork 1957 Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1-2 with Willowbrook DP41F bodywork. 1957 Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1-2, VTX44, with Willowbrook DP41F body 1957 Leyland Tiger PS1 single deck chassis rebuilt with a Willowbrook L61RD body 1957 Leyland Titan PD2-20 203-BEH Willowbrook L27 28R 1957 Willowbrook B45F bodywork on its Atkinson BPL745H chassis 1957 Willowbrook C37C bodied AEC MU3RV Reliance 1958 AEC Reliance with Willowbrook Viking C41F body 1958 AEC Reliance with Willowbrook Viking C41F bodywork 1958 Albion Aberdonian MR11 with Willowbrook B45F bodywork 1958 Albion Aberdonian MR11N XUP399 with Willowbrook DP41F body 1958 Albion Nimbus NS3AN with Willowbrook B31F bodywork, whilst preserved East Kent EFN568 is a 1950 Dennis Falcon P3 with Dennis B29F bodywork 1958 Albion Nimbus NS3AN with Willowbrook B31F bodywork. 1958 Albion Nimbus NS3N with Willowbrook B31F bodywork 1958 Leyland PD3-4 with Willowbrook H73R body 1958 Leyland Titan PD3-4 with Willowbrook body. 1958 Willowbrook C41F bodied AEC MU3RV Reliance 1959 A E C Reliance 2MU3RV with Willowbrook C37F bodywork 1959 AEC Reliance with 41 seat Willowbrook Viking coach body 1959 AEC Reliance with Willowbrook Viking C41F body 1959 Albion NS3N Nimbus buses with Willowbrook B31F bodies 1959 Leyland PSUC1-2 with Willowbrook Dual Purpose body 1959 Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1-1 with Willowbrook B45F bodywork 1959 Willowbrook Viking C41F bodied Leyland PSUC1-2 Tiger Cub 1959 Willowbrook Viking C41F bodied Leyland PSUC1-2 Tiger Cubs 1960 AEC Reliance 2MU2RA with Willowbrook B42D body 1960 AEC Reliance 2MU3RA with Willowbrook B45F body 1960 AEC Reliance 2MU3RA with Willowbrook Viscount C41F bodywork. 1960 Daimler CVG6 with a distinctive Willowbrook lowbridge body 1960 Dennis Loline IIYF10 Willowbrook H44-30F 885-LDH 1960 Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1-2 with Willowbrook dual purpose 43 seat body 1961 AEC Reliance with Willowbrook B43F body 1961 Bedford J2SZ7 with a Willowbrook Compact C19F body 1962 Bedford VAS1 with Willowbrook B30F bodywork 1962 Leyland Leopard L2 with Willowbrook body 1962 Leyland Leopard with Willowbrook C47F 1962 Willowbrook B65F bodied AEC Reliance, 858GNM 1962 Willowbrook DP47F bodied Leyland PSU3-3RT Leopard 1963 Leyland Titan PD3A-1 from 1963 with Willowbrook H41-32F bodywork 1963 Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard 1964 AEC Regent V 2D3RA with Willowbrook H39-30F body 1964 Bedford VAL with Willowbrook B54F body 1964 Leyland Leopard PSUC1-11 with Willowbrook B45F body OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA 1965 Bedford VAS1 with Willowbrook B28F bodywork 1965 Daimler CRG6LX with Willowbrook H44-32F bodywork 1965 Leyland Leopard PSU3-1R with Willowbrook B53F bodywork 1965 Willowbrook DP49F bodied Leyland PSU3-1R Leopard 1966 AEC Reliances with Willowbrook B41D bodies 1966 Bedford VAS1 with Willowbrook B24FM bodywork 1966 Daimler Fleetline with Willowbrook single-deck bodywork 1966 Leyland Atlantean PDR1-2 with Willowbrook body 1966 Leyland Leopard PSU3-3R with a Willowbrook B53F body 1967 Bedfod VAS2 with Duple (Midland) B30F bodywork 1967 Bedford VAL70 with Willowbrook B56F bodywork 1967 Bedford VAL70 with Willowbrook body B56F 1967 Leyland L2 Leopard with a Willowbrook B43F body 1967 Willowbrook B45F-bodied Leyland Leopard 1967 Willowbrook DP49F bodied AEC Reliance 1968 A E C Reliance 6MU2RA with Willowbrook B46F bodywork 1968 AEC Regent V with Willowbrook H37-27F body 1968 Bedford SB5 with Willowbrook bodywork 1968 Bedford VAL with Willowbrook B56F body 1968 Bedford VAM70 saloons arrived with Willowbrook B33D+25 bodies 1968 Ford R192s with Willowbrook B45F bodies 1968 Willowbrook DP49F bodied Leyland PSU3A-4RT Leopard OKO816G a 1968 Willowbrook DP49F bodied Leyland PSU3A-4RT Leopard OKO816G 1968 Willowbrook Malta OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA 1969 Daimler Fleetline SRG6LW with Willowbrook B44F bodywork 1969 Ford R192 with Willowbrook B45F bodywork a 1969 Ford R192 with Willowbrook B45F bodywork 1969 Leyland Atlantean PDR1A-1 with Willowbrook body 1970 AEC Swift with Willowbrook B43D body 866H 1970 AEC Swift with Willowbrook B43D body 1970 Ford R192 Willowbrook B45F 1971 AEC Reliance with Willowbrook B43F body 1971 AEC Swift with Willowbrook dual door body 1971 Bedford SB5 with Willowbrook DP39F bodywork 1971 Bedford YRQ with Willowbrook B45F bodywork 1971 Ford R192, YNR506J, with locally built Willowbrook bodywork 1971 Leyland Leopard PSU3 with Willowbrook DP49F body 1972 AEC Reliance 6U3ZR with Willowbrook Expressway C49F bodywork 1972 AEC Swift with Willowbrook body 1972 Bedford VAS5 with Willowbrook B16FM bodywork 1972 Bedford VAS-Willowbrook 1972 Ford R192 with Willowbrook C45F 1972 Mercedes-Benz 0302 LHD chassis with a Willowbrook '007' C51D body 1972 Willowbrook B53F-bodied Leyland Leopard PSU3B-2R 1973 Bedford YRT with a Willowbrook '002' Expressway C30FT body 1973 Ford R192 or R1014 with an '002' Expressway body and a Mercedes-Benz 0302 with an '007' body 1973 Ford R1014 with Willowbrook C45F body 1973 Ford Willowbrook PTX987F 1973 Leyland with Willowbrook B53F 1973 Willowbrook bodied Leyland Atlantean No 50, CUF150L 1974 Bedford YRQ-Willowbrook SCF344N 1974 Leyland Leopard L84, RGV284N, with Willowbrook B55F 1976 A.E.C. 6U3ZL Reliances to National Travel (South East) with Willowbrook C47F bodies 1977 A.E.C. 6U3ZL Reliance with a Willowbrook C47F body Daimler Fleetline SRG6LW with Willowbrook B44F bodywork 704G TDH 901 was a Sunbeam F4A with a Willowbrook H36-34R body

After Willowbrook took over Brush in 1951 Duple took over Willowbrook in the seventies. Look for more under Brush + Duple

Bus and Coach builders STRACHAN (and BROWN) England UK

STRACHAN

and

BROWN

Strachans, at one time known as Strachan and Brown, was a significant supplier of bus and coach bodies from the ‘Twenties through to the late ‘Sixties. After that they appear to have quit the PSV market but continued to trade as a supplier to the Ministry of Defense. Based for many years in North Acton, London they moved to premises on Hamble Airfield in Hampshire around 1960. The last date I have where any activity is recorded is 1984.

1900 Strachans Coachworks, logo

Their products were particularly prominent before WW2 with many London operators using them, while during the War they were a supplier of “Utility” bodywork. Post-War they were particularly associated with Aldershot and District, but seemed to go into a decline in the late ‘Fifties. The ‘Sixties saw a minor resurgence when they bodied a number of rear-engined single decker chassis including the London Transport XMS class, and provided the coachwork on the only five Dodge chassis sold in the UK.

Surprisingly I have been unable to trace more than passing references to this company anywhere on the web, so a group to record its existence seems appropriate.

History

    • 1865 Birth of James Marshall Strachan [pronounced Strawn] at Medians, near Aberdeen, Scotland.
    • 1867 Birth of Walter Ernest Brown.
    • 1881 W E Brown is apprenticed to coachbuilders Laurie and Marner (Oxford Street, London).
    • 1894 W E Brown starts his own business at Shepherds Bush.
    • 1896 W E Brown partners with S A Hughes [full name and dates?] as Brown and Hughes (Kensington).
    • 1907 J M Strachan joins the partnership: Brown, Hughes and Strachan, with a large factory at Park Royal.
    • 1915 J M Strachan and W E Brown establish a new partnership as Strachan and Brown Ltd, based at the former Brown and Hughes premises (Holland Gate Garage, High Street, Kensington).
    • 1921 Strachan and Brown move to Wales Farm Road, Acton.
    • 1928 Strachan and Brown partnership dissolved; J M Strachan continues as Strachans Ltd; W E Brown and sons Dennis and Reginald become directors of Duple Bodies and Motors; the rest is WKC history.
    • 1929 Death of J M Strachan; Strachans is renamed Strachans (Acton) Ltd.
    • 1934 Strachans (Acton) is renamed Strachans Successors Ltd.
    • 1944 Death of W E Brown.
    • 1962 Strachans Successors is sold to Giltspur but continues to operate as Strachans (Coachbuilders) Ltd based at Hamble-le-Rice, Hampshire.
        1976 Strachans (Coachbuilders) ceases production.
    • * This info comes from Mrs Jacky Mackenzie, great grand daughter of Walter Ernest Brown

1920-31 Midland Red A177 (OH 1206) Tilling-Stevens TS3 Strachan and Brown B29F

1920-31-midland-red-a177-oh-1206-tilling-stevens-ts3-strachan-and-brown-b29f

1926 OC1 Strachan Brown of Acton Daimler CF6 W L

1926-oc1-strachan-brown-of-acton-daimler-cf6-w-l

1927 AEC OC14 Strachan + Brown of Acton

1927-aec-oc14-strachan-brown-of-acton

1928 0827MoTr-Strac1929 OC14 Strachan of Acton on Berliet

1929-oc14-strachan-of-acton-on-berliet

1930 HX 1388 A E C Regent Strachans H2624R

1930-hx-1388-a-e-c-regent-strachans-h2624r

1930 Leyland LT2 with a Strachan B32R body

1930-leyland-lt2-with-a-strachan-b32r-body

1932 Leyland TS4 originally with Harrington body rebodied in 1949 with this Strachan C33F body

1932-leyland-ts4-originally-with-harrington-body-rebodied-in-1949-with-this-strachan-c33f-body

1933 Gilford Zeus Strachan H24-24R 079-XM

1933-gilford-zeus-strachan-h24-24r-079-xm

1936 AEC Regent, originally with L.P.T.B. H30-26R rebodied in May 1956 with the 1947 Strachan L27-28R body, rebodied by Roe

1936-aec-regent-originally-with-l-p-t-b-h30-26r-rebodied-in-may-1956-with-the-1947-strachan-l27-28r-body-rebodied-by-roe

1939 AEC-Strachan double decker 125, BHJ195

1939-aec-strachan-double-decker-125-bhj195

1939 AEC-Strachan double decker 129, BHJ199

1939-aec-strachan-double-decker-129-bhj199

1939 AEC-Strachan double decker 129, BHJ199a

1939-aec-strachan-double-decker-129-bhj199a

1943 Bradford Guy Arab 1, Fleet No 467, Reg No DKY 467.

1943-bradford-guy-arab-1-fleet-no-467-reg-no-dky-467

1943 Guy Arab had a Strachan L27-28R body

1943-guy-arab-had-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1943 Strachan utility L27-28R body so extensively rebuilt by Silcox by 1956 into the condition shown that it is no longer recognisable as of Strachan origins

1943-strachan-utility-l27-28r-body-so-extensively-rebuilt-by-silcox-by-1956-into-the-condition-shown-that-it-is-no-longer-recognisable-as-of-strachan-origins

1944 Bristol K5G Strachan ex Hants & Dorset GLJ971

1944-bristol-k5g-strachan-ex-hants-dorset-glj971

1944 Guy Arab II rebodied 1960 Massey L57R & 2005 GYL984 1945 Guy Arab II rebodied 1955 Strachan L56R

1944-guy-arab-ii-rebodied-1960-massey-l57r-2005-gyl984-1945-guy-arab-ii-rebodied-1955-strachan-l56r

1944 Guy Arab II with a Strachan L27-28R body

1944-guy-arab-ii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1945 Barton 443, GNN704, was a Guy Arab II with a Strachans L27-28R body

1945-barton-443-gnn704-was-a-guy-arab-ii-with-a-strachans-l27-28r-body

1945 Bristol K6A - Stranchan.

1945-bristol-k6a-stranchan

Originally bodied Weymann L55R. Acquired by Moores from Birch Bros. 1952.

1945-guy-arab-ii-rebodied-1954-strachan-l56r-a

1945 Guy Arab II with a Strachan L27-28R (8'0 wide) body

1945-guy-arab-ii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-80-wide-body

1945 Guy Arab II with a Strachan L27-28R body

1945-guy-arab-ii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1945 Guy Arab II with Strachan H56R body

1945-guy-arab-ii-with-strachan-h56r-body

1945 Guy Arab II with Strachan L27-28RD utility body

1945-guy-arab-ii-with-strachan-l27-28rd-utility-body

1945 Guy Arab II with Strachan lowbridge body

1945-guy-arab-ii-with-strachan-lowbridge-body

1945 Guy Arab ll Strachan

1945-guy-arab-ll-strachan

1947 33 JDE426 Bristol L5G Strachan DP35F

1947-33-jde426-bristol-l5g-strachan-dp35f

1947 56 was a Strachan L27-28R bodied Albion CX19 whilst 81 was the Roe L27-26RD rebodied single-deck Albion CX39N chassis

1947-56-was-a-strachan-l27-28r-bodied-albion-cx19-whilst-81-was-the-roe-l27-26rd-rebodied-single-deck-albion-cx39n-chassis

1947 AEC Regent with Strachan L27-28R body a

1947-aec-regent-with-strachan-l27-28r-body-a

1947 AEC Regent with Strachan L27-28R body

1947-aec-regent-with-strachan-l27-28r-body

1947 Dennis J3 Lancet with a Strachan C32R body

1947-dennis-j3-lancet-with-a-strachan-c32r-body

1947 Guy Arab III with a Strachan L27-28R body

1947-guy-arab-iii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

My beautiful picture

1947-guy-arab-mklll-with-strachan-body

1947 Leyland PS1-1s with Strachans C33F bodi

1947-leyland-ps1-1s-with-strachans-c33f-body

1947 Maudslay Marathon III Strachans FC33F , new with Enterprise Coaches of Kenton , Middlesex

1947-maudslay-marathon-iii-strachans-fc33f-new-with-enterprise-coaches-of-kenton-middlesex

1947 Strachans Coachworks, advert1948 38 JDE 431 Bristol L5G Strachans

1948-38-jde-431-bristol-l5g-strachans

1948 AEC Regal III Strachans B35R JFM575 Crosville

1948-aec-regal-iii-strachans-b35r-jfm575-crosville

1948 AEC Regal III with Strachan B35R body a

 

1948-aec-regal-iii-with-strachan-b35r-body-a

1948 AEC Regal III with Strachan B35R body

1948-aec-regal-iii-with-strachan-b35r-body

1948 AEC Regal III-Strachan TA5

 1948-aec-regal-iii-strachan-ta5

1948 Bristol L5G Strachan DP35F

1948-bristol-l5g-strachan-dp35f

1948 Guy Arab 114, NEV609 with a Strachan L27-26R body

1948-guy-arab-114-nev609-with-a-strachan-l27-26r-body

1948 Guy Arab III single decker with Strachans B34F body

1948-guy-arab-iii-single-decker-with-strachans-b34f-body

1949 AEC Regal III with Strachan B36F body

1949-aec-regal-iii-with-strachan-b36f-body

1949 Crossley DD42-3 which was fitted from new with this Strachans FC33F body

1949-crossley-dd42-3-which-was-fitted-from-new-with-this-strachans-fc33f-body.

1949 Daimler CVD6 with Strachans bodywork

1949-daimler-cvd6-with-strachans-bodywork

1949 Guy Arab III with a Strachan L27-28R

1949-guy-arab-iii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r

1949 Guy Arab III with Strachan L27-28R bodywork

1949-guy-arab-iii-with-strachan-l27-28r-bodywork

1949 Guy Arab III with Strachans L55R body

1949-guy-arab-iii-with-strachans-l55r-body

1949 Strachan C35F bodied Guy Arab III

1949-strachan-c35f-bodied-guy-arab-iii

1950 A.E.C. 9612A Regent III with a Strachans L27-28R body

1950-a-e-c-9612a-regent-iii-with-a-strachans-l27-28r-body

1950 A.E.C. 9621E Regal III with a Strachan C33F body

1950-a-e-c-9621e-regal-iii-with-a-strachan-c33f-body

1950 Albion Venturer CX37S with a Strachan L55R

1950-albion-venturer-cx37s-with-a-strachan-l55r

1950 Dennis J10 Lancet with Strachan B38R body

1950-dennis-j10-lancet-with-strachan-b38r-body

1950 Dennis J10 Lancets with Strachan B38R bodies 175, HOU901

1950-dennis-j10-lancets-with-strachan-b38r-bodies-175-hou901

1950 Dennis Lancet 3 with Strachan B38R body

1950-dennis-j10-lancets-with-strachan-b38r-bodies-175-hou901

1950 Dennis Lancet III Strachan B38R Guildford Onslow Street

 1950-dennis-j10-lancets-with-strachan-b38r-bodies-175-hou901

1950 Guy Arab III with a Strachan L27-28R body

 1950-guy-arab-iii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1950 Guy Arab III with Strachan C35F body

 1950-guy-arab-iii-with-strachan-c35f-body

1950 Guy Arab IV with uncommon Strachans FL31-26RD bodywork

 

1950-guy-arab-iv-with-uncommon-strachans-fl31-26rd-bodywork

1950 Leyland CPO1 Comet with a Strachan C37F body

 

1950-leyland-cpo1-comet-with-a-strachan-c37f-body

1950 Leyland Tiger PS2-1 Strachan B34R

 

1950-leyland-tiger-ps2-1-strachan-b34r

1950 Strachan C35F bodied Guy Arab III

 

1950-strachan-c35f-bodied-guy-arab-iii

1950 Strachans coach and bus bodies, advert, c19501950 Trojan Diesel with a Strachans 14 seat coach body1951 Crossley DD42-8 with a Strachan H31-28RD body

1951-crossley-dd42-8-with-a-strachan-h31-28rd-body

1951 Dennis Dominant with a Strachans B41C body

 

1951-dennis-dominant-with-a-strachans-b41c-body

1951 Guy Arab III with a Strachan B38F body

 

1951-guy-arab-iii-with-a-strachan-b38f-body

 

 

1951 Guy Arab III with Strachan B38F body a

 

1951-guy-arab-iii-with-strachan-b38f-body-a

1951 Guy Arab III with Strachan B38F body

 

1951-guy-arab-iii-with-strachan-b38f-body

1951 Guy Arab III with Strachan FL31-26RD body

 

1951-guy-arab-iii-with-strachan-fl31-26rd-body

 

1951 Leyland Motors Ltd Leyland UK Ad Dublin Ireland Double-Decker Bus1951 Leyland Royal Tiger PSU 1-15 Strachan C4K GVN-952

 

1951-leyland-royal-tiger-psu-1-15-strachan-c4k-gvn-952

1952 Ad1953 Bedford Strachans Bus Photo Yugoslavia

 

1953-bedford-strachans-bus-photo-yugoslavia

1953 Dennis Lancet J10C with Strachan C38F body

 

1953-dennis-lancet-j10c-with-strachan-c38f-body

1953 Strachan H31-28RD bodied A.E.C. 9613S Regent III

 

1953-strachan-h31-28rd-bodied-a-e-c-9613s-regent-iii

1954 AEC MU3RV Reliances with Strachan 'Everest' C41C bodies a

 

1954-aec-mu3rv-reliances-with-strachan-everest-c41c-bodies-a

1954 AEC MU3RV Strachan C41C at Aldershot Garage

 

1954-aec-mu3rv-strachan-c41c-at-aldershot-garage

1954 AEC MU3RV Strachan C41C in Hampton Court Station Goods Yard

 

1954-aec-mu3rv-strachan-c41c-in-hampton-court-station-goods-yard.

1954 AEC Reliance MU3RV with a Strachan C41C body a

 

1954-aec-reliance-mu3rv-with-a-strachan-c41c-body-a

1954 AEC Reliance MU3RV with a Strachan C41C body

 

1954-aec-reliance-mu3rv-with-a-strachan-c41c-body

 

 

1954 AEC Reliance MU3RV with Strachan Everest C41C bodywork

 

1954-aec-reliance-mu3rv-with-strachan-everest-c41c-bodywork

1954 Dennis Falcon LOU65 with Strachan bodywork

 

1954-dennis-falcon-lou65-with-strachan-bodywork

1954 Dennis P5 Falcons with Strachan B30F bodies

 

1954-dennis-p5-falcons-with-strachan-b30f-bodies

1954 Leyland PSUC1-2 Tiger Cubs with Strachans Everest C41C bodies

 

1954-leyland-psuc1-2-tiger-cubs-with-strachans-everest-c41c-bodies

1954 Leyland PSUC1-2 with Strachans C41C body

 

1954-leyland-psuc1-2-with-strachans-c41c-body

1954 Leyland PSUC1-2T Tiger Cub with Strachan Everest C41C body

 

1954-leyland-psuc1-2t-tiger-cub-with-strachan-everest-c41c-body

1954 Strachan bodied AEC Reliance

 

1954-strachan-bodied-aec-reliance

1954 Strachan bodied AEC Reliant

 

1954-strachan-bodied-aec-reliant

1954 Strachan Everest C41C bodied AEC Reliance

 

1954-strachan-everest-c41c-bodied-aec-reliance

1954 Trojan DT Strachans C15F.

 

1954-trojan-dt-strachans-c15f

1955 AEC MU3RV Reliances with Strachan 'Everest' C41C bodies

 

1955-aec-mu3rv-reliances-with-strachan-everest-c41c-bodies

1955 AEC Reliance Strachan C41C

 

1955-aec-reliance-strachan-c41c

1955 Commer Strachans Everest Transit Bus Brochure1955 Dennis Lancet UFs with Strachan DP41F bodies

 

1955-dennis-lancet-ufs-with-strachan-dp41f-bodies

1955 Guy Arab IV with a Strachan L27-28R body

 

1955-guy-arab-iv-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1955 Guy Arab IV with Strachans L28-28R body

 

1955-guy-arab-iv-with-strachans-l28-28r-body

1955 OC1 Strachans Successors Ltd of Acton on AEC Reliance for Fales Coaches of Bath 1955

 

1955-oc1-strachans-successors-ltd-of-acton-on-aec-reliance-for-fales-coaches-of-bath

1955 Strachan Everest C41C bodywork on its AEC Reliance chassis

 

1955-strachan-everest-c41c-bodywork-on-its-aec-reliance-chassis

1955 Valliant XHN574 AEC Reliance Strachans C41C

 

1955-valliant-xhn574-aec-reliance-strachans-c41c

 

1956 Dennis Falcon Strachan B30F in Aldershot Garage yard

1956-dennis-falcon-strachan-b30f-in-aldershot-garage-yard

1956 Dennis Falcon with Strachan B30F body a

1956-dennis-falcon-with-strachan-b30f-body

1956 Dennis Falcon with Strachan B30F body

1956-dennis-falcon-with-strachan-b30f-body

1956 Dennis Falcons with Strachan B30F bodies

1956-dennis-falcons-with-strachan-b30f-bodies

1956 Dennis P5 Falcon 275, POR421, with a Strachan B30F body

1956-dennis-p5-falcon-275-por421-with-a-strachan-b30f-body

1956 Strachan bodied Dennis Falcon POR428 at Stokes Bay

1956-strachan-bodied-dennis-falcon-por428-at-stokes-bay

1956 Trojan with a Strachan C13F body

1956-trojan-with-a-strachan-c13f-body

 1958 Strachans bodied batch of Seddons

1958-strachans-bodied-batch-of-seddons

1959 Ford 611E - Strachan BxxF

1959-ford-611e-strachan-bxxf

1962 Albion Nimbus NS3N with Strachan DP31F body

1962-albion-nimbus-ns3n-with-strachan-dp31f-body

1962 Barton 442 GNN703 Strachan bodied Guy Arab II

1962-barton-442-gnn703-strachan-bodied-guy-arab-ii

1962 Guy Arab IV Strachans H72R

1962-guy-arab-iv-strachans-h72r

1962 Strachan H37-32RD bodied Guy Arab IV

1962-guy-arab-iv-strachans-h72r

1962 Strachans bodied Bedford VAL

1962-strachans-bodied-bedford-val

1962 Strachans bodied Bedford VAL14s

1962-strachans-bodied-bedford-val14s

1963 AEC Regent V - Stranchan

1963-aec-regent-v-stranchans

1963 AEC Regent V One of a trio delivered to members of the co-operative all carried this unusual and rare Strachans bodywork

1963-aec-regent-v-one-of-a-trio-delivered-to-members-of-the-co-operative-all-carried-this-unusual-and-rare-strachans-bodywork

1963 Ford Thames Traders with Strachans bodies seating 33 upstairs and carrying 23 bikes downstairs a

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963 Ford Thames Traders with Strachans bodies seating 33 upstairs and carrying 23 bikes downstairs b

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963 Ford Thames Traders with Strachans bodies seating 33 upstairs and carrying 23 bikes downstairs

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963 OC14 Strachans Dartford Tun Bus 1963-5

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963 OC14 Strachans Dartford Tunnel Bus

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963 OC14 Strachens Successors Ltd. of Hamble on Ford Thames Trader for London Transport Country Buses Dartford Tunnel Service only

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963 Hutchings & Cornelius Strachans bodied Dennis Lancet TYC 319 lays over after running in from its South Petherton home while CYC 669C, a Bedford SB5-Strachans

1963-hutchings-cornelius-strachans-bodied-dennis-lancet-tyc-319-lays-over-after-running-in-from-its-south-petherton-home-while-cyc-669c-a-bedford-sb5-strachans

1963 Leyland Titan PD2A-30 - Strachans H61Rd d

1963-leyland-titan-pd2a-30-strachans-h61rd-d

1963 Leyland Titan PD2A-30 - Strachans H61Rd

1963-leyland-titan-pd2a-30-strachans-h61rd

1964 Bedford VAL14 Strachan B52F

1964-bedford-val14-strachan-b52f

1964 Bedford VAL14 with unusual low-height Strachan B52F bodywork a

1964-bedford-val14-with-unusual-low-height-strachan-b52f-bodywork

1964 Bedford VAL14 with unusual low-height Strachan B52F bodywork

1964-bedford-val14-with-unusual-low-height-strachan-b52f-bodywork

1964 Daimler 92, DCP836, passing Guy Arab V demonstrator 888DUK on trial with the corporation

1964-daimler-92-dcp836-passing-guy-arab-v-demonstrator-888duk-on-trial-with-the-corporation

1964 Dodge S307 Strachans C42F by the Kings Arms at Hampton Court

1964-dodge-s307-strachans-c42f-by-the-kings-arms-at-hampton-court

1964 Dodge S307 Strachans C42F in Hampton Court Station Goods Yard

1964-dodge-s307-strachans-c42f-in-hampton-court-station-goods-yard

1964 Dodge S307-190T Strachan C42F AYV-94B

1964-dodge-s307-190t-strachan-c42f-ayv-94b

1964 Guy Arab V demonstrator 888DUK on trial with Halifax Corporation in summer 1964. It carried a Strachan front entrance body

1964-guy-arab-v-demonstrator-888duk-on-trial-with-halifax-corporation-in-summer-1964-it-carried-a-strachan-front-entrance-body

1964 Guy demonstrator 888DUK with Halifax Corporation in June 1964. It carried a Strachan front entrance body.

1964-guy-demonstrator-888duk-with-halifax-corporation-in-june-1964-it-carried-a-strachan-front-entrance-body

1964 Leyland Leopard L1 Strachan B45D

1964-leyland-leopard-l1-strachan-b45d

1964 Leyland Leopard L1 with Strachans B45D bodywork

1964-leyland-leopard-l1-with-strachans-b45d-bodywork

1964 Leyland Leopard L1, had bodywork by Strachan

1964-leyland-leopard-l1-had-bodywork-by-strachan

1964 Leyland Leopards in 1964 with unusual but very neat Strachan dual entrance bodywork seating 45

1964-leyland-leopards-in-1964-with-unusual-but-very-neat-strachans-dual-entrance-bodywork-seating-45

1964 Leyland PD2A-30 with Strachan H35-28RD bodywork

1964-leyland-pd2a-30-with-strachan-h35-28rd-bodywork

1964 Strachan DP49F bodied AEC 2U3RA Reliance

1964-strachan-dp49f-bodied-aec-2u3ra-reliance

1964 Strachans bodied Dodge S307-190T coaches

1964-strachans-bodied-dodge-s307-190t-coaches

1964 Strachans Low Bridge bodied Guy Arab IV 53DHK

1964-strachans-low-bridge-bodied-guy-arab-iv-53dhk

1965 AEC Reliance Leyland Lepard Strachans Bus Brochure 1965 Austin Strachans Bus Sales Brochure 1965 Bedford SB Strachan Pacesaver B--F demonstrator parked at Sandown Park Race Course, Esher, Surrey

1965-bedford-sb-strachan-pacesaver-b-f-demonstrator-parked-at-sandown-park-race-course-esher-surrey

1965 Bedford SB Strachan Pacesaver B--F in Windsor

1965-bedford-sb-strachan-pacesaver-b-f-in-windsor

1965 Bedford SP Strachans Paysaver Transit Bus Brochure 1965 Bedford VAS Strachans 30 Seat Bus Brochure 1965 Bournemouth Transport Bedford VAS Strachan M4

1965-bournemouth-transport-bedford-vas-strachan-m4 © Richard Godfray

1965 Dodge BMC Scammell Strachans Bus Brochure 1965 Ford Strachan

1965-ford-strachan

1965 Guy Arab V 6LW built in 1965 with Strachans H41-31F bodywork

1965-guy-arab-v-6lw-built-in-1965-with-strachans-h41-31f-bodywork.

1965 Leyland Leopard Strachans Transit Bus Brochure 1965 Strachans Eiger 63 Bus Brochure England 1965 Strachans Transit Bus Sales Brochure England 1966 AEC Merlin P2R Strachan B25D originally London Transport XMS4

1966-aec-merlin-p2r-strachan-b25d-originally-london-transport-xms4

1966 AEC Merlin P2R Strachan B25D

1966-aec-merlin-p2r-strachan-b25d

1966 AEC Reliance Strachan B39F

1966-aec-reliance-strachan-b39f

1966 FBR 53D Leyland Panther-Strachans ex Sunderland, Metro Centre

1966-fbr-53d-leyland-panther-strachans-ex-sunderland-metro-centre

1966 Ford R192 NPT306D with Strachans B44F bodywork

1966-ford-r192-npt306d-with-strachans-b44f-bodywork

1966 Ford R192 with Strachan B44F bodywork

1966-ford-r192-with-strachan-b44f-bodywork

1966 Ford R226 with Strachan B52D bodywork

1966-ford-r226-with-strachan-b52d-bodywork

1966 Leyland demonstrator YTB771D on test with Halifax Corporation, a Leyland PSRC1-1 Panther Cub with a Strachans B43D body

1966-leyland-demonstrator-ytb771d-on-test-with-halifax-corporation-a-leyland-psrc1-1-panther-cub-with-a-strachans-b43d-body

1966 Leyland Panther PSUR1-1R Strachan 53 FBR53D Sunderland Corporation

1966-leyland-panther-psur1-1r-strachan-53-fbr53d-sunderland-corporation

1966 Leyland Panther PSUR1-1R with Strachans B47+19D bodywork

1966-leyland-panther-psur1-1r-with-strachans-b4719d-bodywork

1966 Leyland PSU3-1R-Strachans

1966-leyland-psu3-1r-strachans

1966 MBS15, the only Strachans AEC Merlin

1966-mbs15-the-only-strachans-aec-merlin

1966 Strachans AEC Merlin

1966-strachans-aec-merlin

1966 WMPTE 3661 - Ford R192 with Strachans body ex Birmingham City Transport

1966-wmpte-3661-ford-r192-with-strachans-body-ex-birmingham-city-transport

1967 A E C Swift MP2R with Strachan B54D bodywork

1967-a-e-c-swift-mp2r-with-strachan-b54d-bodywork

1967 A E C Swift MP2R with Strachans B58F bodywork

1967-a-e-c-swift-mp2r-with-strachans-b58f-bodywork

1967 AEC Reliance Strachan B39F

1967-aec-reliance-strachan-b39f

1967 AEC XMS1 Strachan (JLA51D) from Gillingham Street Garage on Red Arrow Route 500 in Park Lane

1967-aec-xms1-strachan-jla51d-from-gillingham-street-garage-on-red-arrow-route-500-in-park-lane

1967 Bedford SB Strachans J33643

1967-bedford-sb-strachans-j33643

1967 Bedford VAM14 with Strachan B33D+25 bodi

1967-bedford-vam14-with-strachan-b33d25-body

1967 Bristol RELL6G Strachan B34D + 218 SRD18 1959 AEC Reliance 2MU3RV Burlimgham B34D

1967-bristol-rell6g-strachan-b34d-218-srd18-1959-aec-reliance-2mu3rv-burlimgham-b34d

1967 Bristol RELL6G with Strachans B34D body

1967-bristol-rell6g-with-strachans-b34d-body

1967 Daimler Roadliner SRC6 Strachan B54D in Victoria Square Bus Station

1967-daimler-roadliner-src6-strachan-b54d-in-victoria-square-bus-statio

1967 Ford Strachans bus 1967 Guy Arab V with Strachan H41-31F body

1967-guy-arab-v-with-strachan-h41-31f-body

1967 Leyland Panther 88, GBR88E, with Strachans bodywork FBR53D

1967-leyland-panther-88-gbr88e-with-strachans-bodywork-fbr53d

1967 Leyland Panther 88, GBR88E, with Strachans bodywork

1967-leyland-panther-88-gbr88e-with-strachans-bodywork

1967 Leyland Panther, Strachan,

1967-leyland-panther-strachan

1967 Strachan bodied AEC Reliance ex Aldershot & District 273 MOR604

1967-strachan-bodied-aec-reliance-ex-aldershot-district-273-mor604

1967 Strachan-bodied Ford R192

1967-strachan-bodied-ford-r192

1967 Two Strachan bodied Guy Arabs are closest - 152N in cream-blue ansd not then yet withrawn, alongside 216N

1967-two-strachan-bodied-guy-arabs-are-closest-152n-in-cream-blue-ansd-not-then-yet-withrawn-alongside-216n

1968 AEC Swift MP2R Strachan B47D at Portswood Garage

1968-aec-swift-mp2r-strachan-b47d-at-portswood-garage

1968 AEC Swift MP2R Strachan B47D originally Southampton Corporation 4 in Guildford Farnham Road Bus Station

1968-aec-swift-mp2r-strachan-b47d-originally-southampton-corporation-4-in-guildford-farnham-road-bus-station

1968 AEC Swift MP2R with Strachan B47D bodywork

1968-aec-swift-mp2r-with-strachan-b47d-bodywork

1968 EYO 885J - Another Bedford VAS Strachans (this one with high backed coach seats)

1968-eyo-885j-another-bedford-vas-strachans-this-one-with-high-backed-coach-seats

1968 Ford R226 with Strachans 53-seater body

1968-ford-r226-with-strachans-53-seater-body

1968 Ford R226 with Strachans bodywork

1968-ford-r226-with-strachans-bodywork

1968 Leyland Panther Cub Demonstrator with Strachans body at the Earls Court Motor Show

1968-leyland-panther-cub-demonstrator-with-strachans-body-at-the-earls-court-motor-show

1968 Leyland Panther Cub PSRC1-1 with Strachan 43 seat bodywork

1968-leyland-panther-cub-psrc1-1-with-strachan-43-seat-bodywork

1968 Leyland Panther Cub PSRC1-1 with Strachan B43F body

1968-leyland-panther-cub-psrc1-1-with-strachan-b43f-body

1968 Leyland Panther PSUR1-1R with Strachan B45F bodywork a

1968-leyland-panther-psur1-1r-with-strachan-b45f-bodywork

1968 Leyland Panther PSUR1-1R with Strachan B45F bodywork

1968-leyland-panther-psur1-1r-with-strachan-b45f-bodywork.

1968nAEC Swift MP2R Strachan B47D MTR-420F

1968 aec-swift-mp2r-strachan-b47d-mtr-420f

1969 Bedford VAS 3 Strachan body Ex-MoD

1969-bedford-vas-3-strachan-body-ex-mod

1970 Ford Transit with Strachan B16F body

1970-ford-transit-with-strachan-b16f-body

1972 Ford Transit Strachan DP16F

1972-ford-transit-strachan-dp16f

1975 The last Strachan - DDA149C,

1975-the-last-strachan-dda149c.

That’s it, it’s enough

GILFORD Motor Company Ltd. Bus England

GILFORD Motor Company Ltd. Bus England

September 16, 2013 By  Leave a Comment (Edit)

Gilford Motor Company Ltd.

1926-1933

1928 Gilford AS6 20 seat coach1928 Gilford AS6 20 seat coach

The origins of the Gilford Motor Company can be traced back to the post First World War period, when E. B. Horne set up in business to sell former military chassis, principally of Garford manufacture. Many of these chassis were from continental battlefields were they had been left, and Horne imported them to England. Once at his works, a dingy stable yard in Holloway, London, they were completely stripped down and overhauled, the engines were re-conditioned and the completed chassis re-sold.

By 1925 the business had been incorporated as E. B. Horne & Company Limited, and, along with his partner V. O. Skinner, Horne decided to manufacture chassis to their own design. Initially it had been planned to produce a low-loading passenger chassis, but the first production vehicles appeared in May 1925 and were conventional lorry chassis, marketed under the trade name of ‘Gilford’. It is presumed that this name was chosen, so as to resemble ‘Garford’, which was a well-tried, reliable chassis.

1928 Gilford Motor Co1928 Gilford Motor Co

The first three chassis were fitted with American Buda engines, manufactured at the company’s English works at Wembley in Middlesex, although, as with all Gilford models, the engines were described as ‘Gilford’. Throughout their short existence, Gilford never manufactured anything, but assembled ready-made parts supplied by other firms.

Sales were initially slow, which was perhaps as well for the Holloway site did not have the capacity for rapid production of chassis. Around October 1925, Horne introduced the drop-frame bus chassis, which immediately became more successful than most of its competitors. The chassis frame was only 1ft 11ins in height compared to the standard 2ft 9ins on goods chassis, and, with a 15ft wheelbase, the finished vehicle could accommodate up to 26 passengers in comfort. The Buda engine was again the powerhouse, whilst the steering was of the cam and lever type, the best that could be obtained at the time. A new design of radiator was introduced with the name ‘Gilford’ prominent.

1929 bakers Gilford 1660T Wray body1929 bakers Gilford 1660T Wray body

In 1926 Horne & Company brought out a six-cylinder engined version of their passenger chassis. Advertised as the Lowline Safety Coach (and designated LLC) it completely superseded the four-cylinder model. Buda again manufactured the engines. The wheelbase was available as either 15ft or 16ft 6ins, which resulted in the reclassification of the available models as LL15 and LL166, a designation that persisted on most Gilford models to the end.

On the 6th November 1926, the Gilford Motor Company Limited was registered, with Horne and Skinner in control.

Around this time the country was beginning to come out of a period of depression and the demand for commercial vehicles, and in particular motor coaches, was rising. The Gilford Motor Company was working at full capacity and their name was becoming more widespread and well known in coaching circles, with a reputation for quality and speed. To deal with the sales of new and second-hand vehicles, provincial depots were set up, including one in Belfast, which resulted in an early order for six 30-seaters from Downpatrick Motor Services, and another one in Dublin. With the increasing interest in the company’s vehicles, it became apparent that larger premises were required and on 19th December 1927 the whole of the production was moved to the newly acquired Bellfield Works, in High Wycombe. Shortly after, on the 28th December 1927, Gilford registered a new subsidiary company called Wycombe Motor Bodies Ltd., which fronted their entry into coachbuilding. It, too, had its headquarters at the Bellfield Works.

1929 Gilford 166SD Clarke B26F ... new March 19291929 Gilford 166SD Clarke B26F … new March 1929

The bodybuilding concern was intended to produce a standard body for each type of chassis and, subsequently, a high proportion of Gilford chassis were fitted with Wycombe bodywork. In order to gain some bodybuilding experience, a number of elderly Dennis chassis belonging to the local Penn Bus Company were re-bodied. All Wycombe bodies (with the exception of just two) were of the wooden-framed type; the first of any new type being completely hand built with jigs being made of the component parts, which were then manufactured by an outside contractor and assembled in the Wycombe works. Bodies were assembled separately from the chassis and were held until a suitable chassis was available before mounting. The whole vehicle was then sent for painting. The vast majority of bodies were finished with cellulose, Wycombe being among the pioneers of this method, instead of the usual paint.

In May 1928, Gilford introduced new designs, designated the 15SD and 166SD for the normal control chassis (the SD stood for ‘Standard Drive’, and the numerals represented the wheelbase of either 15ft or 16ft 6ins), or the 15OT and 166OT for the forward control models (OT stood for ‘Over Type’ and were Gilford’s first forward control chassis). The 15ft models retained the Buda engine, but the 16ft 6ins models were equipped with a new 36 hp side-valve engine, produced by the Lycoming Manufacturing Company in America, and was, arguably, the most successful engine used by Gilford.

1929 Gilford 1660T + Wray C32D body UW 1205 Pullman Saloons1929 Gilford 1660T + Wray C32D body UW 1205 Pullman Saloons

The Wycombe designed bodies for the new range were rather square in design, with a canvas hood option on the normal control models as an alternative to the fixed roof with sliding section and quite a number of the earlier models were fitted in this way.

Towards the end of 1928, Gilford introduced a six-wheel chassis, a design that was becoming popular at the time. The 6WOT (6-Wheel Over Type) did not sell in any great quantity, but was once again fitted with an American manufactured engine. The six-cylinder side-valve unit was built in the USA by the Wisconsin Motor Company, but it was fitted to the 6WOT without modification, resulting in excess heat from the exhaust manifold being transmitted to the drivers cab.

1929 Gilford Ad1929 Gilford Ad

In the spring of 1929 the 15SD model was discontinued in favour of a smaller chassis (the CP6), with 13ft 3ins wheelbase. Later, in November of that year, Gilford took a stand at the 1929 Commercial Motor Exhibition with a view to introducing their new range of chassis. The new vehicles, which were broadly a development of the 166OT and 166SD models, had a larger wheelbase of 16ft 8ins and were, consequently, designated 168OT and 168SD. At the same time Gilford introduced their first double-deck vehicle, with a wheelbase of 16ft 3ins the model was designated the 163DOT (Double-deck Over Type). The 163DOT was bodied by Beadle with a lowbridge 50-seat body with sunken side gangways on either side of the upper saloon. It was painted in the livery of Borough Bus Services, whose fleet it later joined. Always prone to problems it remained the only 163DOT built. All three models used the Lycoming side-valve engine, but with a slightly larger 37.2hp capacity than previously used. The 168OT and 168SD proved very successful, owing largely to their greater seating capacity.

The Gilford Motor Company Limited was, by now, a public company, and the profit for the year amounted to around £40 000, out of which a dividend of 33% was paid on each of the 280 000 shares of 5 shillings held in the company. As it turned out, this was to be the zenith of the Company’s fortunes.

1929 Gilford Coach1929 Gilford Coach

The following year, 1930, the AS6 was introduced as a replacement for the CP6, with seating capacity of around 20 passengers. The vehicle was lively and reliable and quantities were sold, particularly to rural bus operators who required a small capacity coach chassis. For the first time, Gilford introduced a chassis specifically designed for goods work, designated the DF6 it, too, sold in quantity.

Throughout 1931 the 168 models continued to be produced, and another new type, the 168MOT was introduced. The ‘M’ stood for Meadows; the first British engine used on a Gilford chassis. Sadly, the engine proved unreliable and was often replaced after a few months in service. This led to the model’s unpopularity and it was discontinued by the year-end.

1929 Gilford Hera Wycomb Body1929 Gilford Hera Wycomb Body

At the 1931 Olympia show, Gilford unveiled, for the first time, the double-deck version of the front-wheel drive bus that they had spent literally thousands of pounds developing. It resulted in an extremely low height vehicle, which stood just 12ft 11ins high, with the normal centre-gangway. The chassis frame was dispensed with altogether and the strength of the bus was contained in the structure of the body. The body was constructed by Wycombe Motor Bodies and this, and a front-wheel drive single-deck vehicle exhibited at the same show, were the only two metal-framed bodies built. Despite the advanced design and the amount spent developing them, there were no prospective purchasers, and this in part was responsible for the downturn in the Company’s financial position towards the end of the year, with a loss of over £28 000 being registered.

By 1932, other manufacturers were eroding the Gilford passenger chassis market, and with limited finance, Gilford turned its attention to developing vehicles for the goods market. Another double-deck chassis was shown at the Scottish Motor Exhibition in November 1932. Named the Zeus, it was officially classified 163D (16ft 3ins wheelbase Double-decker), and was equipped with a Vulcan 45.02hp petrol engine – the ‘Juno’. The prototype front-wheel drive double-decker was converted into a trolleybus for experimental purposes, with electrical gear being substituted for the engine, but otherwise basically unaltered. Although no customers were forthcoming for the trolleybus, at least it did operate in service for a short while, on loan to Wolverhampton Corporation in November and December of that year.

1929-1938 Gilford CP6 C26F seats1929-1938 Gilford CP6 C26F seats

Despite an enormous amount of publicity and being well received by the technical press, the Zeus once again failed to capture the passenger chassis market, although another newly introduced chassis – the ‘Hera’, designated 176S (17ft 6ins Single-decker) sold fairly well. This, however, did little to revive the Company’s fortunes, and in 1933 it was announced that the High Wycombe works was to be sold and the Company was to move into a much smaller factory in London, known as Brentside Works.

Sales did no better in 1934, when two orders from Western SMT for 40 vehicles represented 40% of the total annual output, and by 1935 output was little over 1 vehicle per week. On the 29th November 1935 the company went into receivership, with liabilities of over £21 000 against assets of just under £6 000, which when the issued share capital of £100 000 was taken into account made the total deficit over £116 000. On the 31st December 1935 the Company was wound up and the Gilford Motor Company passed into history.

1930 Gilford Motor Company MY 57 Colour1930 Gilford Motor Company MY 57 Colour

The main reasons for the Company’s failure were outlined at a meeting on the same day and included the high costs of developing the front-engined bus chassis; the high proportion of bad debts incurred by the Company (Gilford chassis were often sold on deferred-payment terms and in the cut-throat coach business of the thirties smaller operators who purchased these vehicles were unable to pay, which resulted in many of the chassis being re-possessed); and lastly, the formation of the London Passenger Transport Board, which took away many of Gilford’s best customers, and indeed, the fleet of over 200 Gilford’s inherited by the LPTB made them the largest ever operators of Gilford vehicles.

1930 Gilford1930 Gilford

1930 MoTr-Gilford

1930 MoTr-Gilford

1931 Evan Evans Tours coach (GW 713)Gilford 168OT Weyman

1931 Evan Evans Tours coach (GW 713) Gilford 168OT Weymann

1931 Front Wheel Gilford SD

1931 Front Wheel Gilford SD

1931 Gilford AS6 Buda engine

1931 Gilford AS6 Buda engine

1931 Gilford DD Front Wheel Drive Gilford

1931 Gilford DD Front Wheel Drive Gilford

1931 lbc16 Gilford

1931 lbc16 Gilford

1931 Vaillant Direct Coaches Gilford 168OT GW-713

1931 Vaillant Direct Coaches Gilford 168OT GW-713

1932 Gilford 1680T EV-7580 Wycombe C32F

1932 Gilford 1680T EV-7580 Wycomb C32F

1932 WBS-Brid-UL5805-Gilford

1932 WBS-Brid-UL5805-Gilford

1933 Gilford DD

1933 Gilford DD

1933 Yeates KEMP-Gilford-GP-5147

1933 Yeates KEMP-Gilford-GP-5147

1934 Gilford EV8108, Hillman's Coaches 168OT

1934 Gilford EV8108, Hillman’s Coaches 168OT

1937 Gilford CF176

 1937 Gilford CF176

Gilford Bus at 12.50 in the next film

That was all I could find.