Bedford OB
Encyclopedia
The Bedford
OB model was a bus
or coach
chassis
introduced in 1939.
The OB has a wheelbase of 14 in 6 in (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 hp petrol engine
, and has a four-speed manual gearbox
and fully floating rear axle
. The brake
s 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.
The 28 horsepower engine, which had been introduced in 1938, was based on the model "O" goods chassis and the six cylinder overhead valve power unit with a capacity of 3519 cc developed 72 bhp at 3000 rpm.
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.
2009 marked the 70th Anniversary of the OB and this was commemorated by a gathering in August. 30 OB's attended the event at Vauxhall Motors in Luton. The vehicles were all on display outside the Vauxhall Museum before making a road run to Bletchley Park. 2010's event is to be held in Derbyshire.
Bedford Vehicles
Bedford Vehicles, usually shortened to just Bedford, was a subsidiary of Vauxhall Motors, itself the British subsidiary of General Motors , established in 1930; and constructing commercial vehicles. Bedford Vehicles was a leading international truck manufacturer, with substantial export sales of...
OB model was a bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
or coach
Coach (vehicle)
A coach is a large motor vehicle, a type of bus, used for conveying passengers on excursions and on longer distance express coach scheduled transport between cities - or even between countries...
chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
introduced in 1939.
The OB has a wheelbase of 14 in 6 in (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 hp petrol engine
Petrol engine
A petrol engine is an internal combustion engine with spark-ignition, designed to run on petrol and similar volatile fuels....
, and has a four-speed manual gearbox
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
and fully floating rear axle
Axle
An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. On wheeled vehicles, the axle may be fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to its surroundings, with the wheels rotating around the axle. In the former case, bearings or bushings are provided at the mounting points where the axle...
. The brake
Brake
A brake is a mechanical device which inhibits motion. Its opposite component is a clutch. The rest of this article is dedicated to various types of vehicular brakes....
s are of the vacuum servo assisted hydraulic type.
Although only 73 were built prior to the cessation of production due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, 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.
The Pre War OB
The OB was introduced in the summer of 1939 as part of a new range of models, which included the "O" type lorry chassis. The passenger version was named the 'OB' and Duple modified their 'Hendonian' body to fit the chassis, which at 14 in 6 in (4.42 m), was longer than the previous WTB model. But the new model had a very short production run - with the advent of World War II, Bedford turned over to the war effort. Only 73 chassis were built and consequently the pre-war OB was very rare.The 28 horsepower engine, which had been introduced in 1938, was based on the model "O" goods chassis and the six cylinder overhead valve power unit with a capacity of 3519 cc developed 72 bhp at 3000 rpm.
The Post War OB
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.
Preservation
The OB is one of the most popular coaches in preservation. There are known to be 180 still about and nearly 70 in roadworthy condition, and about 30 are fully PCV'd for private hire work.2009 marked the 70th Anniversary of the OB and this was commemorated by a gathering in August. 30 OB's attended the event at Vauxhall Motors in Luton. The vehicles were all on display outside the Vauxhall Museum before making a road run to Bletchley Park. 2010's event is to be held in Derbyshire.