MidlandRed.net

Made my first visit to a preservation event today at Wythall where the Transport Museum ran an excellent Twilight Running day. Weather was sunny with a very heavy shower in the afternoon. S12 3744 NHA 744 was back on the road which was good to see ;

The "side-on" view of 3744 is interesting in that the long rear window makes it look like it's one of the post-war saloons that had been lengthened when the new legislation allowed, but the website doesn't say that, - it says 29' 3" from new, so apparently not !

I very much look forward to taking a ride on it, -- I haven't ridden on an S6 -S13 since the early 1960's !!

DD12 wrote: ↑

20:57 Sunday 25th October 2020

The "side-on" view of 3744 is interesting in that the long rear window makes it look like it's one of the post-war saloons that had been lengthened when the new legislation allowed, but the website doesn't say that, - it says 29' 3" from new, so apparently not !

I very much look forward to taking a ride on it, -- I haven't ridden on an S6 -S13 since the early 1960's !!

I reckon the key to identifying lengthened post-war BMMO single-deckers is the panel below the last side window, on 3744 it is a one piece sheet the full length of said window. On lengthened buses S6, S8, S9 & S10 it is a two piece assembly with a vertical strap where the extension began; I assume this was to save money by keeping as much of the original structure as possible. A picture of S8 3238 in the historical section of this website demonstrates the extended layout.

From S13 onwards this changed to a small short window and one of same length as the other side windows; this standardisation saved cost on replacements if damaged in an accident. The window pans also changed at this time and I believe the same style and size were used on most BMMO built buses including D7s, D9s, S14s, S16s & S17s (S15 had hopper rather than sliding ventilators) - appreciate confirmation of this please?

It is a matter of interest that if you go underneath 3744 (as I often do..) the chassis is the same as S8's onwards at the rear end with the extension 'kit' as per S8's etc simply bolted on, i.e. not a bespoke chassis for S12's only. In terms of similarity of window pans etc I must admit I hadn't made the comparison (I don't do bodywork, only the oily bits) but that may account for the reason we have a lot of identical glass in the stores.......... Glad you enjoyed the mini Midland Red show yesterday, I felt that visitors should see some real buses for the end of term event!

I meant to post this photograph of MG TC Midget FAK 57 new in 1947. Realise it isn't a bus but it is a lovely fully restored roadworthy vintage motor worth a lot of money and it was on static display at the Twilight event;

Thats beautiful Tim

Tim, you know I love old cars ever more than old buses, so such photos are always welcome.

Superb classic car, lovely mellow pink / red ( - according to MY colour register, and laptop),

-- it should have the MIDLAND legend on it !!

Thanks Tim.

My brother had one which he bought second hand in the late 1950s and which as a young teenager I was allowed to help him clean and occasionally ride in. He had it for three years or so before trading it in for a new Ford Anglia (one of the ones with the inverted rear window). More practical and comfy but much less exciting. I wonder what both of them would have been worth today!

chason wrote: ↑

07:22 Friday 30th October 2020

My brother had one which he bought second hand in the late 1950s and which as a young teenager I was allowed to help him clean and occasionally ride in. He had it for three years or so before trading it in for a new Ford Anglia (one of the ones with the inverted rear window). More practical and comfy but much less exciting. I wonder what both of them would have been worth today!

The internet shows 1947 MG TC cars for sale at approx £25K depending on condition and a well looked after 1959 Ford Anglia 105E at approx £5K. It would be interesting to see the price achieved if either type came up for auction at Mathewsons on the 'Bangers and Cash' TV show, though neither could be deemed bangers in my eyes at 73 years old and 61 years old respectively, definitely vintage!