Andy Bishop is this year recognised for his outstanding restoration if a 1950 “Midland Red” coach 3352.
Andy, from Ashbourne in Derbyshire, has been moving heaven and earth to re-instate a particularly pretty and rather unusual coach, and he is making a terrific job of it.
This coach has a chassis, engine & running gear built by Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Co (BMMO) from Birmingham who ran services as the Midland Red bus company. The chassis was the same as the earlier C1 coach from 1948/49. However 3 of the 12 C2 Coaches built were re-bodied with Plaxton Embassy 1, 26 seat and 7’6” wide coach bodies for the Scottish Tours . It is the only example left of the C2/CL2 class Midland Red Coaches. It is a rare beasty, being 1 of only 6 Midland Red designed BMMO engined coaches left in preservation (2-C1, 2-C5 , 1-CM6) .
This particular example was partially converted in early 1980s to a tour bus for a jazz band; amongst other things the seats & luggage racks were removed. It was finally bought for restoration in 1990s. Time had taken its toll - both steel & wood has suffered extensive rot. The engine and ancillaries all required refurbishment due to standing for 30 years. The perspex front dome, skylights & rear windows needed replacement which required moulds to be made. But work thus far has renewed the floor, and seats have been sourced and re-covered.
Most would have concluded 2 years ago that restoration would be impossible, let alone a restoration undertaken in a pokey leaky little space with a single 3 pin plug, hemmed in between 2 other wrecks. Andy has done the impossible though, and saved a stunning vintage vehicle. He should be very proud, and the trust is very proud to recognise his efforts with a restoration award.