British Classic Buses
in New Zealand (Page 1)
British Classic Buses
in New Zealand (Page 1)
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Last updated 16 June 2010
In recent years I have received quite a bit of material about buses of British origin in New Zealand, so here are some pages to display some of it. Please feel free to send any suitable items and I will be happy to post them. The latest material is posted on this page (Page One). New Zealand buses Page Two is here and Page Three is here.
There are some New Zealand bus links at the foot of this page;
WORLDMASTER NEEDS SAVING
Philip Murphy of Timaru has found this 1966 Dunedin City Transport (DCT) Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster heading for the scrapheap, and wonders if it can be saved.
Between 1959 and 1968 Dunedin had 30 of these ERT1/1 buses with NZ Motor Bodies bodywork in various lengths and sizes. This is one of the last and largest versions, 35 feet long and seating 47. It may be the only one left. Philip is trying to do something about it but finding somewhere to eventually display her is proving a bit difficult. Email me if you have any ideas, and I'll pass details to Philip.
YET MORE CONVERSIONS!
Mat Foster keeps sending me such fantastic pictures from around the campsites, and they really deserve posting here, so here is another selection from 2009. For starters, how about a twin-steer Daimler?
"That's not a Daimler!" I hear you cry, "It's a Bedford". But it IS a Daimler - mostly. It started out as a Saro-bodied Daimler Freeline, but was then fitted with twin-steer front axles from a Leyland Octopus and a Perkins V8. What a monster! It will be interesting to see how it looks when painted. The owners are apparently from Katikati.
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Just a quick break from Mat's collection for a moment, because I received the following email and photo from Deb and Ross Curtis in May 2010;
"We have just been browsing the net and came across this old photo of our bus taken just before we bought her. She was a dream started by Noel & Sharon Snow, but sold on to us to complete the job of getting her ready for the road. We live in 'Nudge' full time, currently based in Blenheim after spending in the summer in Cromwell. Needless to say we have had our moments with two major breakdowns in the 18 months we have been on the road, but at end of the day we love her."
Thanks a lot Deb and Ross. 'Nudge' looks in great shape, and I'm glad she's found some good owners.
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Back to Mat's collection again - and in contrast, below is an original twin-steer;
Yet another New Zealand Bedford VAL, and this one seems to be on the market. An attractive styling.
Rego AH 6694 is yet another Leyland Comet...
...and is this a Dodge?
"TIGER LILY" SHAPES UP
In 2003 Terry Bingham emailed me to say that he had just bought this Leyland Tiger, which he understood was built in 1950 and originated at Dunedin.
He said "My intentions are to restore this into a housebus for my own purposes. Its original motor and gearbox run well. It was registered in New Zealand first in 1950 as DK3253, chassis number 494337. The timber cab frame appears to be made of ash. I'm currently restoring the cab and dashboard, and need to locate an original clock - and also the front cab sidelight is rotten, can you help locate one?"
I asked around for further information, and John Murphy told me "The picture of the bus converted to a motor caravan is a Leyland Tiger OPS3. It was new in 1950 to Dunedin City Council Transport (DCCT) as No.50 and had DCCT bodywork, B34/17D. It was one of two (49 & 50), which were unique in that the rear passenger entrance was forward of the rear wheel arch. No.49 also still exists as far as I know. DCCT had 11 OPS1, 1 OPS2 and 2 OPS3, all half cabs, put into service 1947-50." He explained that "B34/17D" refers to a vehicle licenced to carry 34 seated and 17 standing passengers.
Well, take a look at "Tiger Lily" now! In March 2009 Terry wrote "I have done a lot of work on the halfcab. As you can see I have re-roofed it and I have almost finished re-panelling it. We semi live in it on our property in Tuahiwi. We only travel short distances because, as you can imagine, it takes forever to get anywhere." Thanks Terry. It's looking in great shape.
FINE BEDFORD APPROACHES ITS 50TH BIRTHDAY
Steve Greaves of Coromandel Panelbeating and Towing sent me this picture of his grand old 1960 Bedford SB. Apparently it spent 25 years as Devonport Ferries bus #21, but now has an Isuzu 6BD1 turbo diesel engine and power steering. He says it's a lovely bus to drive. Thanks Steve - it looks terrific.
CHRISTCHURCH TIGER SURVIVOR
Paddy & Karen sent me this photo of their glorious Leyland Tiger. Paddy says;
"I have a 1950 Leyland halfcab in New Zealand. I think it's an OPS2 converted to a housebus. I have a spare 4-speed gearbox and wormdrive diff for sale if anyone's interested. Chassis no of my bus is 494327, used on the Christchurch bus run. It was first registered in New Zealand on 10 Oct 1950 to Christchurch Tramway Board as No.287, according to the original registration papers, which I still have."
"The body was built by New Zealand Motor Bodies Ltd., Christchurch. The radiator is full alloy surround, and I made a new stainless grille. I also had another bus the same, but wooden-framed (mine's steel-framed) hence the spare parts. My bus is still a sweet runner although I don't do many miles nowadays. I have had my bus for 20 years now and will probably never sell it - but then, money talks!"
Since this item first appeared in 2007, quite a bit more information has turned up. First of all it's pretty certain that it's a Tiger OPS3/1, and part of a batch delivered to Christchurch in 1950. I don't know how many there were, but at least four survive. No.284 (the only one with a McWhinnie body - the others were all by N.Z.Motor Bodies) is with the Tramway Historical Society at Ferrymead, Christchurch awaiting restoration in 2009. No.286 is a house bus in Kaikoura, and was for sale in 2009. Paddy and Karen have this one, No.287; and No.288 was reported to be a static caravan in Managweka a few years ago, so maybe it's still around. And are there others? Does anyone know more about this batch?
Anyway very many thanks to Paddy & Karen, and congratulations for keeping this fine old lady alive and well.
Wanganui
Heritage Coachlines have a delightful old Bedford coach available for
hire.
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