Bus Of The Day: May 12, 2011

Today's car of the day is EFE's 1947 Bedford OB.

The Bedford OB model was a bus or coach chassis introduced in 1939.
The OB has a wheelbase of 14 feet 6 inches (4.42 m), and is a semi-forward control model, designed to carry 26 to 29-passenger bodywork.

It is fitted with a 27.34 horsepower (20.39 kW) petrol engine, and has a four-speed manual gearbox and fully floating rear axle. The brakes are of the vacuum servo assisted hydraulic type.
Although only 73 were built prior to the cessation of production due to World War II, it reappeared in an unchanged form at the end of the war, continuing in production until 1951. A total of 12,766 were produced, making it one of the most popular buses of its type ever.

For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: Bedford OB

I took a guess on the model year for this one- if anyone can narrow it down I'd be much obliged!  I know there's some sort of way of tracking license plates through a database in the UK but I don't know how to do it.  So assuming this plate's accurate to a real vehicle...  This one was acquired from bangerkid45, whom I think got it from james_autos.  Thanks to you both!  A nice bus that comes in at 1/76 scale.  This the first (and to date only) EFE and to be honest I really know nothing about the brand.  So any info on that front would also be appreciated!

It was not until after the end of the war that Bedford restarted the production of the OB again.

The ash framework was reinforced with steel and the floor made from hardwood with softwood tongued and grooved boarding with the exception of the cab area which was finished with alloy chequerplate. Seating capacity was normally 29 with overhead luggage racks provided for passengers, whilst the rear luggage boot was also used to store the spare wheel.

The Vista remained Duple's standard OB body until production of the OB chassis ceased in the early 1950s.
The price of a complete coach, including finishing in a two colour livery, was £ 1314.10s for a 27 seater and £ 1325.10s for a twenty nine seater.

The OB is remembered by many for its characteristic gearbox whine which was a familiar sound all over the country. Even today many recall their happy memories of journeys to the seaside, Sunday school outings or just the regular school run.

From the end of the war until 1951 a total of 12,693 OB's were built.