Nottinghamshire operator’s diverse heritage portfolio has grown to a significant number of vehicles, as Nick Larkin discovers
Sharpes of Nottingham’s heritage fleet has now reached 13 vehicles, and even the firm’s managing director isn’t quite sure how it happened. The collection, ranging from some of the best vehicles of their type in the country to restoration projects, was started following a unique opportunity seven years ago. [wlm_nonmember][…]
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A 1971 Duple Viceroy-bodied Ford R192 that had never been registered, having been stored for some 35 years by dealer Stanley Hughes, came on to the market and was bought by Sharpes.
‘It all just grew from that,” said Neil Sharpe. “Maybe it became an obsession and we were always pleased to be able to save vehicles. There’s a lot of interest in them which raises the profile of the business. I can’t really give a reason why our heritage fleet has expanded so much, but I’m glad it has.”
Another early purchase was former Radcliffe-on-Trent-based Lamcote Coaches AEC Reliance/Plaxton Panorama Elite III, VWA290L, now immaculate and Class VI tested.
Owned for four years and extremely popular on private hires is 1950 former London Transport AEC Regent III RT-type, RT3902. Superbly presented, the bus is christened ‘Lulu’ after its registration number, LLU701. AEC Routemaster RM291 (VLT 291) is also active on private hires. “We’re proud to say it’s generally regarded as one of the top RMs in the country,’ said Neil.
Two Burlingham-bodied AECs, 1953 Regal IV JCY870 and 1955 Reliance RWD242 are awaiting attention.
A pair of Ford R1114s originating with Slack’s of Matlock are also in the heritage fleet, namely Plaxton Panorama Elite III bodied JRR566N and XRR831S, with Plaxton Supreme III bodywork.
Restoration is continuing on Plaxton Supreme IV-bodied Volvo B58 STM238W, and projects include Volvo B10M WMV384Y, also with Supreme V body and two double-deckers – new to West Midlands Travel MCW Metrobus OKZ7928, originally B837AOP, and ex-Grey Green Alexander-bodied Volvo Citybus KAZ 7305, new as F121PHM.
In immaculate condition is Van Hool T8-bodied Volvo B10M, D51LWW.
Sharpes was set up in 2004 using three ex-Shearings Volvo B10Ms with Van Hool Alizee bodywork. Today the fleet, including heritage vehicles, numbers 56.
Almost all coaches have Van Hool bodywork. As well as a huge variety of holiday, private hire and tour work plus a local bus service from Newark to Southwell, Sharpes also operates 26 school bus runs using five former Dublin Bus Volvo Olympians and 17 Volvo B7TLs, all Alexander-bodied except for one with Plaxton President bodywork.
Restoration work on the heritage vehicles is carried out both in house and via outside contractors including Volvo at Loughborough. So will there be further additions to the Sharpes’ preserved fleet? “No. I think that’s it, but never say never,” said Neil. “Then again we might eventually keep one of the Olympians.”
Sharpes of Nottingham website: www.sharpesofnottingham.com
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