I-Spy Classic Cars/Bikes-What have you spotted?

[NewcastleFalcon]

Spotted this today......Its at the other end of the scale from an in focus, "in the wild" sighting and original photograph...

Yes have to admit.....it was on the Telly......Grand tours of Scotland on BBC2 to be precise, but it has a very nice grill, its an observation coach, and its 3-tone........caught my eye anyway.



Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

.....and possibly of interest to Zel and Davie.....the driver's point of view!



Regards Neil

[daviemck2006]

Lovely looking old thing. Full of character!

[NewcastleFalcon]

Bit more background about the bus, including a North-East (England!) connection.

This beautifully-restored 1961-vintage MacBraynes Bedford C5 coach (with orignal coachwork by Duple) is owned by a charitable trust. In its previous life it used to transport tourists and locals alike around the West Highlands, its short wheelbase and light structure making it suitable for the many single-track roads with tight bends of the North and West of Highland Scotland in the 1960's and 1970's. 603CYS (Number 179 in the MacBraynes fleet) was bought for preservation by the late Andrew Muckley of Houghton-le-Street, from Co. Durham who was instumental in forming the MacBraynes Circle. It passed to another preservationist in Inverness and was stored at the Highland depot in the town and on the takeover of Highland by Rapsons. They took control of the bus and it is now in the care of the MacBraynes Circle.

Regards Neil

[myglaren]

Houghton Le Street Eh?
May have a job finding that

[NewcastleFalcon]

Didn't spot that Steve...probably meant Chester-le-Spring!

Regards Neil

[CitroJim]

Lovely looking old thing. Full of character!

I quite agree Something our buses now lack

[Zelandeth]

Was about to say before I read the full description "Hmm...That's a Bedford isn't it..."

...I'll get my coat.

[Zelandeth]

Two today. Firstly a Triumph Acclaim, didn't spot what trim level as I didn't get close enough.

Secondly a bit newer but surely worth a mention these days, an immaculate white K plate Volvo 440 Turbo. Been a long while since I last saw a 440 anywhere and don't think I've ever spotted the Turbo version in the wild before.

[NewcastleFalcon]

Two today. Firstly a Triumph Acclaim, didn't spot what trim level as I didn't get close enough.

This is a particularly rare up-specced Triumph Acclaim by Avon

During 1981, Avon was taking a steady stream of orders for its Jaguar XJ6-based estate car, but owner Graham Hudson had expansion plans, and moved into a more accessible price range with a seriously up-specced version of the newly-launched Triumph Acclaim.
The car came in for a real makeover and recieved much in the way of upgrading, including a chrome-plated radiator grille, vinyl roof, duotone paint, colour-coded road wheels and special and unique metallic finish. Inside, the seats were retrimmed in Connolly leather with colour-keyed piping, the dashboard and door cappings were treated to burr-walnut veneer and the door trims and armrests were also re-trimmed to match the rest of the interior.

Here it is



Regards Neil

[CitroJim]

Not seen either for years now. There was a beige Acclaim at our works a few years ago in lovely nick but not seen that one for ages now...

You're right about the 440. They used to be as common as anything and now all but gone.., Did they have a big Achilles heel?

[Gibbo2286]

Not seen either for years now. There was a beige Acclaim at our works a few years ago in lovely nick but not seen that one for ages now...

You're right about the 440. They used to be as common as anything and now all but gone.., Did they have a big Achilles heel?

Rust, they were built in the old Daf factory in Holland and like the Dafs they rusted badly unless mollycoddled.

[CitroJim]

Thanks Gibbo Was the 480ES also made in the DAF factory as that used to rust rather enthusiastically too which was a shame as I always fancied one... I rather like them...

Again, not seen one for eons now...

[BenC5HDi]

Two today. Firstly a Triumph Acclaim, didn't spot what trim level as I didn't get close enough.

This is a particularly rare up-specced Triumph Acclaim by Avon

During 1981, Avon was taking a steady stream of orders for its Jaguar XJ6-based estate car, but owner Graham Hudson had expansion plans, and moved into a more accessible price range with a seriously up-specced version of the newly-launched Triumph Acclaim.
The car came in for a real makeover and recieved much in the way of upgrading, including a chrome-plated radiator grille, vinyl roof, duotone paint, colour-coded road wheels and special and unique metallic finish. Inside, the seats were retrimmed in Connolly leather with colour-keyed piping, the dashboard and door cappings were treated to burr-walnut veneer and the door trims and armrests were also re-trimmed to match the rest of the interior.

Here it is



Regards Neil

If anyone wants a example of what "polishing a turd" means, then this surely is it? Yes, I know the Acclaim wasn't a bad car as such, but.. good lord, you'd have chosen pretty much anything else to expand your business on!

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[BenC5HDi]

Not seen either for years now. There was a beige Acclaim at our works a few years ago in lovely nick but not seen that one for ages now...

You're right about the 440. They used to be as common as anything and now all but gone.., Did they have a big Achilles heel?

Their achilles heel was that they dissolved in the rain Jim!

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