CWK205 (2009)

COVENTRY TRANSPORT BUSES AS CARAVANS. T.W.MOORE

CCT sold off some of their buses in the 1948/9 period to private buyers, many were converted into caravans. These old buses could have been seen on caravan sites in Coventry and Warwickshire for many years. Pinley Gardens at Stoke Aldermoor was one site, there must have been six of them there. Another was Much Park St, see picture 1, the bus in the press cutting was a CCT bus. The average price for a bus from CCT was £25 to £30 each. Some were sold with all running gear, engine gearboxes etc, most were sold without seats, or some seats.

The list of buses sold to these private sales were Daimler CP6s 101-107, 109-116, Daimler COA6s 121,125, 139,140,141,142,147,154 159,164, 194 and 197, 266 (KV 64) and 265 AEC Regent. Of these you will notice that, 194 and 197 were only 11 years old. 194 was withdrawn after an accident and 197 that I do not know why it was withdrawn early, these two buses had new Metro-Cammell bulkheads fitted between 1944-6. Both sold without seats and engine. Mrs. McCrobie. of Binley had 197 converted to caravan and that bus I am sure was at Willenhall opposite St Johns church site in Robin Hood Road circa 1955.

When I look at the list I notice a Mr Martin had 101-103, 107,111,112,114,120, not a private sale as such. I am sure Mr Martin was associated with Coventry Steel Caravans at Leek Wootton. This firm reconditioned Daimler CP6s 101-116 and 120/122 and 267 between 1943/4 and after the war converted buses to caravans that were sold to private buyers. Mr Martin sold off 102 to a private buyer in Leamington, I have a copy of the new owners conversion plan for the bus in every detail, but too large to show you on the forum. 114 listed as being sold to Mr. Martin, but was later sold on to an operator in Bideford. The rest became converted caravans.

101 I photographed in 1964 at Budbrooke, (see pic2.) a conversion by Coventry Steel Caravans, a Midland Red conductor was the occupant at the time, it was sited in a garden just off the Warwick Birmingham Road. I feel very guilty about photographing the bus, it was my idea and good intention to the CET news Editor to do a write up about it. After the pic and story was published the owner was approached by Warwick D.C. and the bus was condemned and later scrapped. It could have been there longer and you never know may have reached into the preservation years. It contained its CP6 engine and all running parts.

The picture of 102 (see pic3) shows the rear view and the young son of the owner.

107, (see pic.4) was another Leek Wootton conversion in the Warwick area , the cut up photo was very small to copy, but, its here for you to see.

121 originally sold to a Mr. Toller, I photographed at Baton Road Longford, 1960s. (see pic.5) I had the reg, plate off that, (see pic.6) it’s lovely, just like stainless steel, see pic. 125 was sold to Mr. James of Meriden but the bus ended up at Birds Stratford. 142 was sold to a man in Rugby and Mr. Lewellen, who I believe was a local scrapman scrapped 154. 164 was scrapped by a Mr. Shields another scrapper and dealer in the city. Worth a mention is 264, KV 64, the prototype Daimler COA6 and former Daimler demonstrator, was sold to Mr Wells in Leamington with no engine or seats.

265 sold to Mr. Bates, Coventry was sold through a deal with Roaches of Coventry to Taylor of Bicester, this company had the three former Halifax AECs, 264.265,267. 267 still with original Hoyal humped roof body, after fire damage.

To add to this list was Daimler COG5 146, sold to Mr. Jowett a Showman, it survived in Coventry and on fairgrounds until the early sixties, I first photographed it in Stoke Heath (behind the Wallpaper Warehouse shop nowadays) where Mr Jowet wintered 146, (see pic.6) I am sure he lived in the bus during his tours of the fairgrounds

Another bus to become a showmans bus with chimney sticking out of the roof was Guy 286, sold in 1959 to Passenger Vehicle Sales London and quickly acquired by the showman in Canning Town.

Anyone else recall CCT buses as caravans? Let us know.

EKV 286 also became a caravan, as evidenced by this shot:

Jasper's Transport Photographs @ fotopic.net (Click to see the web page)

In 1949, two ex CCT buses were purchased by Mr Bates and converted into caravans on his farm in Wheelwright Lane- near to the level crossing. Both of these were rented by two Aunties of mine, they lived in them during the 50's.

Bus 106 (KV 7106) was one of the Buses sold to Mr Bates, but i don't know what the second CCT bus was that he had ???

Acording to the CCT bus sales of 1948/49 Mr Bates did purchase two buses, 106 and 265.

265 is said to have been sold on by Mr Bates, in a deal with Roaches of Coventry, dealer and scrapper to sell the bus to Taylors of Bicester. Roaches had already sold the other two ex Halifax AECs to this operator, (267 as spares and 264). The PSV Circle makes reference to Taylors having the three CCT ex Halifax buses. If this bus is thought to have been Mr. Bate's farm at Wheelwright Lane, it would have been noticeable by its Utility body. Could this siting be investigated?

I did have a pic of one 264 or 265 with Taylors, but just cannot find it.