MID-1960s MIDLAND RED SINGLE-DECK BUS
Reg No: EHA 767D - new 1966
‘Chassis’: BMMO (Midland Red) S17
Engine: BMMO 10.5 litre 6-cyl. diesel
Gearbox: Semi-automatic
Body: BMMO 52 seats, completed by Plaxton
Midland Red’s first single-deck design built from 1962 to the newly permitted length of 36 feet was the BMMO S16. This was a stretched version of earlier buses, retaining the 8 litre engine and manual gearbox. The extra weight and length meant S16 drivers were hard pressed to cope. The S17 was introduced in response in 1963 and, although looking very similar, the mechanical components were significantly updated by employing the 10.5 litre engine and semi-auto gearbox first seen on the D9 double-decker. The result was a competent and reliable service bus which remained in production until 1966, by which time over 260 had been built. With a modest unladen weight of around 6.5 tons, they were lively and rugged with a plentiful reserve of power, well suited to all areas of the company’s operations.
To speed construction most S17 bodies were finished by outside contractors, either Plaxton or Willowbrook. 5767 has a body completed by Plaxton and entered service from Leicester (Sandacre Street) in September 1966. It was moved to Wigston garage in October 1967 and survived there long enough to become one of the last half dozen S17s in service. Subsequent to its withdrawal in September 1979, Midland Red offered 5767 to the Museum, mainly on account of its good mechanical condition and low mileage major units. The S17 was not a planned acquisition as the external appearance is similar to the S16 and the mechanical specification similar to later BMMO models. However 5767 proved irresistible upon inspection and joined the Museum collection. It has its place in Museum history as being the bus which operated on our first open day in 1980. Overhaul and restoration began in 1993 and completed in 1999.
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 Email: enquiries@wythall.org.uk
