Classic coach

BrianD3

I just noticed an auction on ebay for a classic coach, a Van Hool bodied Bedford VAL from 1970.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1970-BEDFORD-VAL-VAN-HOOL-COACH-UNIQUE_W0QQitemZ4583280019QQcategoryZ108850QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Unusual thing about these was the 3 axle layout with 2 steering axles at the front. AFAIK this is known as a "chinese six" configuration.

This coach on ebay is the same chassis as the famous one used in The Italian Job. The body on the one in the film was by Harrington however. Still it'd be quite similar overall. Bodies by Plaxton and Duple were also available.

So has anyone ever seen one of these unusual vehicles on the roads in Ireland? Also this thread can be used to discuss any matter realting to old buses or coaches

MercMad

Yes I've seen a few of them over the years on Irish roads. I never really took any notice of whether they were Irish owned or registered as I was gawping at those fron axles !!

That one for sale seems quite dear though I would know the going rate !

It would make a cool car transporter, and the inside is largely stripped already. Pity its not from the 60's as you might get it in to Goodwood ?

green-blood

I've got 2 minis, one more mini and this bus and I'd have the whole set!!!!!!!

Silvera

I have yet to come across a privately-owned classic bus in Ireland .....though there probably are a few about.

I believe in the UK owners of such buses can drive them on car licences once they are not used for hire.
(The editor of 'Car Mechanics' magazine has a couple of classic buses).

PaulK_CCI

Silvera wrote:

I have yet to come across a privately-owned classic bus in Ireland .....though there probably are a few about.

I believe in the UK owners of such buses can drive them on car licences once they are not used for hire.
(The editor of 'Car Mechanics' magazine has a couple of classic buses).

A friend of mine in the classic car trade here in Holland, specialising in Swedish classics has this immaculate Scania Vabis from 1949. He is not selling it, but rents it out for whatever purpose. Like all his cars, this coach is in a truly and utterly amazing condition!!!

BrianD3

Silvera wrote:

I have yet to come across a privately-owned classic bus in Ireland .....though there probably are a few about.

I believe in the UK owners of such buses can drive them on car licences once they are not used for hire.
(The editor of 'Car Mechanics' magazine has a couple of classic buses).

Yeah there are a good few privately owned classic buses here. Some are in poor condition and do not drive but others eg ex Dublin Bus KC48 are fully restored and are sometimes displayed at shows etc.

Did you ever read articles by Nick Larkin in Practical Classics and other UK classi cmagazines. That guy was/is a major bus enthusiast

There is a guy in Cork who has a collection of a couple of hundred old buses and coaches :eek: and is constantly adding more. Many of them seem to be in poor condition and who knows if they will ever be restored. Yer man seems to be a bit of an eccentric and uses his website to have a pop at people who he's had run ins with
http://www.kellstransportmuseum.com/

Silvera

Jeez thats a great website BrianD3 !!!
Nice one !!!

Example quote from it ........

"Picture of the machine after that bastard engineer Conroy got his hands on her" ?!

I had never heard of this museum collection before.
It is arguably the largest bus museum in the world !
(In most other countries this would be looked upon as a great tourist attraction - as well as preserving our transport heritage)

However, it seems the owner is having a running battle with Cork Co Council over a bus/buses .....and the county engineer somehow (ordered?) a museum (ex-Aer Lingus) bus to be wrecked ?

And it has cost us taxpayers €250,000 so far ?! :mad:

Ireland's powers-that-be really haven't a clue/don't give a damn when it comes to preservation of vehicles.

Now I'm not particularly interested in buses, but I believe that anybody who takes on the task of looking after such vehicles should be helped and commended - not harrased as seems to be the case here!

Have a look of this bus that was apparently (deliberately?!) 'wrecked' by Cork Co Council .........

MercMad

Yeah very interesting website !

The guy really hasome grievances !

I read the report on the Cahir train crash...............its scary ! I dont think I'd go on a train to Cork/Cahir/Waterford .......EVER !

BrianD3

Well there are two sides to every story and I would like to hear the Council's POV on the bus wrecking incident. TBH the guy that has this collection seems to be an eccentric and not very diplomatic. He seems to have had runs ins with load of people, the museum looks to be a chaotic shambles and so too is the website (but entertaining at the same time!) It looks like he has taken on far too much - 200 vehicles and he hopes to have 400 by next year :eek: What are the chances of him turning it into a proper museum that signifcant numbers of tourist would want to visit? At the moment it seems to be a collection of buses (many in poor condition) in a field/yard. I commend him for what he's' doing and it is great to see someone so interested in transport heritage but he looks to be goiong about it in the wrong way. Having said all that I don't really know as it is hard to tell anything from the website. It's very unclear what the hell is going on with this museum, what their aims are, who is involved etc.

Anyone have any concrete info on the Kells Transport Museum in Cork.

PS this guy also wanted to buy a disused power station from the ESB and turn it into a tourist attraction. It would be a great thing to preserve part of our industrial heritage but I'd say the chanes of him being able to do it would be nil. The ESB told him to feck off apparently so he had a go at them on the website, surprise surprise

corktina

yes very readable website...It is my belief that the two buses the Co Council"wrecked" were parked in a layby at Ballinascarty co cork.....if they had no tax and appeared derelict, then the council had no choice but to remove them.....and I am a bus enthusiast and lament their loss.....

alastair

Michael Grimes and his bus museum reminds me of Graham Goodall and his Trabant collection in the UK. Fair play to both I say!

http://www.matlockmercury.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=749&ArticleID=878087

BrianD3

I was just looking at the Kells discussion forum and there is a thread entitled "A Scrapyard Waiting to Happen?" The author has raised many of the same concerns that I would have about the museum eg too many vehicles, vehicle stored outdoors etc. Michael Grimes has responded to these concerns and it's quite interesting.
http://pub30.bravenet.com/forum/2515474834

corktina

i sincerely wish him sucess.....would like to have a look at the buses myself one day...........