A 1949 Bedford OB that has been owned by the same operator from new is nearing completion of a major restoration.
MRB765 joined the Andrew’s of Tideswell fleet in 1949 and was in service until 1974, latterly on a works contract.
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“We just kept the coach in a shed and never got rid of it,” explained Managing Director of the Derbyshire-based company, Russell Andrew.
The Duple-bodied Bedford was entrusted to a group of enthusiasts in 2000, but an agreed restoration never took place.
A couple of years ago the decision was taken to have MRB765 restored at Cobus.
“We just thought it was time to see the coach restored after all these years and felt that if it wasn’t done now it never would be,” Russell explained.
Steve Waggitt at Cobus said: “We are delighted to be restoring this Bedford OB for Andrew’s.
It’s rare to see a coach like this still with the original operator. It’s a major project, but we are well on with the work.”
The Bedford is expected to be finished by the end of this year, when it will be used as a heritage vehicle on a wide range of duties.
Andrew’s dates back to 1932 when Harold Andrew set up a taxi service. In the early 1950s the firm was a pioneer in running continental tours.
Today the operator is still run by the Andrew family and has a fleet of some 35 vehicles on everything from tours at home and abroad to school contracts.
Visit www.andrews-of-tideswell.co.uk
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