Sandwell Motors Bedford SB VVP 911

TYPICAL 1950s COACH

Bedford became the main supplier of lightweight bus and coach chassis from the 1930s onwards. Sharing many components with Bedford trucks, they were cheap yet robust enough to give a long life.

They were the backbone of many small operators' fleets. Coach operators could afford to keep up to date by buying the latest model and running it for a few years. It could then be sold to a seaside operator with a limited season or a rural operator who needed to keep their costs low.

Britain's largest builder of coach bodies over the same period was Duple, and Bedford vehicles with Duple bodies were common. The orange roof glass gave the impression of permanent sunshine!

VVP 911 was new to Sandwell Motor Co of Handsworth, Birmingham, in 1958. Sandwell was one of a few operators still preferring smoother but thirstier petrol engines. lt was a small operator that renewed its coach fleet every couple of years. VVP 911 was sold in 1960 to West Wight of Totland Bay, Isle of Wight.

Preservation

West Wight maintained even its oldest coaches in excellent condition.
VVP 911 was purchased by the Museum in February 1984. It was restored to Sandwell Motor Company's livery in 2006.