To celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Bedford OB, six coaches with Duple ‘Vista’ bodies and one bus with Duple ‘Hendonian’ body attended Transport Museum Wythall earlier this month.

Introduced in 1939 and co-developed with Duple, only 73 OBs were produced before the onset of WWII but post-war went on to almost 13,000 built by 1950, becoming one of the most popular public service vehicles of its type.

With a warm sunny day, the turnout from families and enthusiasts was excellent, according to the Museum. On the Saturday, a road run to the British Motor Museum took place.

B&CB’s very own Founding Editor, Stuart Jones, brought his Bedford OB Duple and offered rides on both days.

Awards

Awards were judged and presented during the day:

• The Ambience Trophy, donated by Blue Motors of Blackpool, was won by LDF 833 and presented to owners Alan and Margaret Garaghty.
• The Transport Museum Wythall Award for Best in Show was won by KPW 986 owned by Mark Withers.
• The Tim Wootton Shield, for many years voted for by OB gathering members was won by LTT 913 owned by Richard Lloyd-Williams

Tim Wootton was a leading light in OB preservation. OB Gatherings were curtailed following Tim’s untimely death in 2017 but picked up again in 2024 by Billy Brayford who now owns Tim’s Royal Blue OB LTA 750.