Bicester lightweight contrasts
For some 25-30 years, Bedford and Ford slugged it out in the medium-weight bus and coach sector. Both manufacturers offered vehicles of relatively simple technology that appealed to small-scale operators. Compared with the premium chassis offered by Leyland and AEC, Bedford and Ford vehicles were cheap to buy and operate. More straightened times in the 1970s led the state-owned National Bus Company and Scottish Bus Group to place orders for Fords for use on stage carriage services - a role for which they were not ideally suited.
Both types are seen here in service in Bicester, offering contrasting levels of passenger comfort. In the lead is Red Rover/Keith Coaches Bedford YMT 142 (BBW142V). Fitted with Plaxton Elite Express coachwork, it is about to return to its home base of Aylesbury. The vehicle was just five months old at the time of this photograph. It survived to be acquired with the rest of the Red Rover/Keith Coaches business by Luton & District in the late 1980s. The DVLA records that BBW142V was last taxed in 8/94.
Behind is Oxford South Midland 657 (NWL657M), a Ford R1014 with more Spartan Willowbrook 001 bodywork. It was one of a batch of 25 delivered in 11/73. Several were allocated to the small Oxford South Midland depot in Bicester to work local services. They were not intended for a long life, and NWL657M disappeared from the scene around 1981/82.
With bigger corporate fish to be fried, both Ford and Bedford bowed out of the passenger vehicle market between 1984-86.
April 1980
Zorki 4 camera
Agfa CT18 film.
Bicester lightweight contrasts
For some 25-30 years, Bedford and Ford slugged it out in the medium-weight bus and coach sector. Both manufacturers offered vehicles of relatively simple technology that appealed to small-scale operators. Compared with the premium chassis offered by Leyland and AEC, Bedford and Ford vehicles were cheap to buy and operate. More straightened times in the 1970s led the state-owned National Bus Company and Scottish Bus Group to place orders for Fords for use on stage carriage services - a role for which they were not ideally suited.
Both types are seen here in service in Bicester, offering contrasting levels of passenger comfort. In the lead is Red Rover/Keith Coaches Bedford YMT 142 (BBW142V). Fitted with Plaxton Elite Express coachwork, it is about to return to its home base of Aylesbury. The vehicle was just five months old at the time of this photograph. It survived to be acquired with the rest of the Red Rover/Keith Coaches business by Luton & District in the late 1980s. The DVLA records that BBW142V was last taxed in 8/94.
Behind is Oxford South Midland 657 (NWL657M), a Ford R1014 with more Spartan Willowbrook 001 bodywork. It was one of a batch of 25 delivered in 11/73. Several were allocated to the small Oxford South Midland depot in Bicester to work local services. They were not intended for a long life, and NWL657M disappeared from the scene around 1981/82.
With bigger corporate fish to be fried, both Ford and Bedford bowed out of the passenger vehicle market between 1984-86.
April 1980
Zorki 4 camera
Agfa CT18 film.