BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD - A BREADVAN!
A notable omission in the Museum's collection of buses has been the minibus, a fact identified some years ago. With all the other projects at Wythall in recent times, it was an omission that we never quite got around to addressing until a few months ago.
We knew what we wanted - an example of the small 'bread van' type, most probably of the Ford Transit variety, which type had proved to be the most successful in service. Minibus bodywork was offered by numerous different builders, and whilst we were aware that we were not in a position to be choosy, a Carlyle bodied vehicle would - for obvious reasons - be most appropriate.
Midland Red had once briefly operated a few second-hand minibuses, it being Midland Red North and Midland Fox that would purchase them in greater quantity. By the time that we tackled the subject all of these had gone; indeed, the first of those for Midland Fox was already in preservation with Leicestershire Museums.
West Midlands PTE had also ordered a small number of Transit minibuses, kicking off with Carlyle bodied 16-seaters in 1985 (M1-M10, B55-64AOP). These were followed by 552-554 (D552-554NOE), the latter being delivered to West Midlands Travel in 1986. Again Carlyle bodied, these three were of the longer 20-seat variety.
552-554 had been sold by 1996, 553 and 554 moving north to the Halifax based fleet of T J Walsh, while 552 is believed to have eventually found its way to Russia!
In January 2005, the 4738 Group (of Volvo fame) purchased 553 and 554 from Walsh, with the idea of making one good vehicle from the pair. It was not that straightforward, however, for both had been cannibalised for parts. 553, later decreed to be the better of the pair, was without its gearbox, propshaft, and various electrical items. It had also been re-registered, as was the usual Walsh practice, to B14TJW.
Undeterred, the new owners set to work with a vengeance, initially purchasing new parts to replace those that were missing. Then it was found that the engine was lacking in many areas, so this was replaced too. Further more general work and six new tyres enabled it to be submitted to a Ministry Test, the appropriate certificate being gained. At this time, it was also reunited with its original registration mark.
In March 2006 553 arrived at Wythall for repainting into the old WMT cream and blue livery, complete with MINI BUZZ fleetnames. When it left the Museum, a few weeks later, it had already established a fan base.
The 4738 Group used the vehicle extensively, it proving to be a welcome and popular visitor to many rallies all over the UK.
The Ford passed to the Trust in August 2007, and we would like to place on record our thanks to Keith Billingsley and the 4738 Group members for their consideration and support during negotiations. At the time these notes were being prepared, 553 was being checked over and cleaned in readiness for its 14 October debut on the Museum's shuttle bus service, alongside the rather larger Fleetlines also rostered for the duty.
D553NOE has Carlyle body no.383, completed on 7 August 1986. It was licenced by West Midlands Travel on 13 October 1986 and initially allocated to the Central Coachways unit in Walsall. It later worked from garages at Hockley, Walsall, Miller Street, and Wheatley Street (Coventry). It had been sold by 1996.
554 still exists too, sold on by the 4738 Group and now in van configuration, i.e. without any passenger seating.
Any further details about the history of WMT Transits 552-554 would be welcomed.
Paul Gray
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
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