Operators are going for nostalgia in a big way and having vehicles owned for many years restored, says the owner of one of Britain’s best-respected vehicle bodywork specialists.
“The industry has changed,” said Steve Waggitt of East Yorkshire-based Cobus. “There is more interest in restoring vehicles nowadays.
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There are fewer private operators now, but a lot are looking towards the nostalgia side.
Ten years ago our business was 60% modern vehicles and 40% classic. Now it’s 90% older vehicles.”
Steve has been involved with vehicle bodywork since starting as an apprentice at Plaxton when he was 15. Leaving in 1982, he was a partner in Express Coach Repairs, numbering Brian Souter and Ann Gloag among his earlier customers. “They had three vehicles at the time,” he recalled.
In the 1980s Steve was asked by the owners of H&M coaches at Cannock Chase to restore a Bedford OB. More similar work followed, and Cobus was set up in 2003.
The multi-award-winning restoration for Johnson Bros of Hodthorpe of new to Excelsior, Bournemouth 1961 Bedford VAL14 with Plaxton bodywork, registration 5188RU, is credited for really putting Cobus on the vehicle restoration map.
Since then there have been numerous restorations for operators including several vehicles for Johnsons. Thornes, Alpha of Hull and Quantock Heritage are among many other customers.
Today Cobus is based at Hunmanby near Bridlington with a full-time staff of eight and many other skilled people to call on.
Modern vehicles still play a significant part in what it does – including work for Plaxton and insurance companies – but Steve says that nostalgia rules.
“Operators are realising the business potential from heritage vehicles and many are having buses and coaches they’ve been associated with for a long time restored. They are thinking that it’s now or never.They really want to see vehicles back on the road.”
www.cobuscoachrepairs.co.uk or call 01723 892997.
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