Blair & Palmer 'Bitsa'
I'm sure there are others out there who will be able to fill in some of the many gaps about this vehicle. It's a rare survivor from those brave and plucky times when operators, undeterred by what mainstream builders wouldn't build for them (or sheer bloody-mindedness) built stuff for themselves instead. Carlisle based independent Blair & Palmer were enthusiasts of the Commer marque at one time and the story goes that they wished that firm would build them a coach chassis with a mid mounted engine. Commer apparently refused, so the operator took it upon themselves to build just such a chassis using Commer's famed TS3 'two stroke' Diesel engine. Where it appears to fall down logically (as I was reminded the other day) is that Beadle of Rochester were already offering just such a chassis!
Anyway, the bus above remained unique and survived through luck, and diligence of a couple of people into the era of preservation. Eventually it was sold on to a Staffordshire based preservationist, who, with the help of a few friends, eventually began its restoration from largely scrap-yard condition and they made a good deal of headway to the point of making it move-able under its own power again.
Sadly, that's where the good news ends as the latest owner unfortunately passed away after a brief illness and the 'Commer' sits patiently awaiting a new savior.
Sorry about the clutter in the foreground, but the photo was the best that I could do at the time and was taken to show to a possible purchaser.
Blair & Palmer 'Bitsa'
I'm sure there are others out there who will be able to fill in some of the many gaps about this vehicle. It's a rare survivor from those brave and plucky times when operators, undeterred by what mainstream builders wouldn't build for them (or sheer bloody-mindedness) built stuff for themselves instead. Carlisle based independent Blair & Palmer were enthusiasts of the Commer marque at one time and the story goes that they wished that firm would build them a coach chassis with a mid mounted engine. Commer apparently refused, so the operator took it upon themselves to build just such a chassis using Commer's famed TS3 'two stroke' Diesel engine. Where it appears to fall down logically (as I was reminded the other day) is that Beadle of Rochester were already offering just such a chassis!
Anyway, the bus above remained unique and survived through luck, and diligence of a couple of people into the era of preservation. Eventually it was sold on to a Staffordshire based preservationist, who, with the help of a few friends, eventually began its restoration from largely scrap-yard condition and they made a good deal of headway to the point of making it move-able under its own power again.
Sadly, that's where the good news ends as the latest owner unfortunately passed away after a brief illness and the 'Commer' sits patiently awaiting a new savior.
Sorry about the clutter in the foreground, but the photo was the best that I could do at the time and was taken to show to a possible purchaser.