DUPLE ANNOUNCE 1966 BEDFORD COACH RANGE
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DE1AILS of the full range of Duple Group bodies available for mounting on Bedford p.s.v. chassis in the coming year have been announced by Duple Group Sales Ltd. this week. Most interesting of these is the new Bella Venture body for mounting on the Bedford VAM chassis, the first examples of which are now coming off the production line.. The Bedford VAM chassis was briefly described in The Commercial. Motor of June 18, 1965, and is designed for 32 ft. bodywork with entrance ahead of the set-back front axle. A 46-seat bus with an overall length of 32 ft. 2in., designed for• the VAM and built by Strachans (Coachbuilders) Ltd.: was described and illustrated in the July 23 issue.
In the ease of the Duple Group. however the introduction of the VAM coincides with release of details of all Bedford-mounted models for 1966. from the modified Vega Major on the VAL twin-steer chassis right down to the 12 19-seat luxury coach and 21-seat service bus which virtually have remained unchanged in appearance.
Next up the ladder is the Bedford VAS chassis. for which Duple supply the Bella Vista 29-seat coach body and a 30-seat bus body. The bus body. again, is virtually unclianged, but modifications have been made to the coach along the lines of those for the new Ford R192 and R226 chassis also described and illustrated in the July 23 issue. In other words, the side profile of the 1965 model is retained. but with a new and simpler flash outlined with stainless steel mouldings. whilst the front is restyled with a new decorative grill of anodized mesh outlined with a stainless steel surround.
The new Bedford VAM chassis is very similar in layout from the coachbuilder's point of view, to the Ford R192. and the bodies available for this chassis are practically identical with those on the new Fords. Two coaches are available —the Hendon-built Venture, which corresponds to the Ford Empress body, and the Blackpool-built Viscount (see illustrations in July 23 issue), the former being. in appearance. a 32 ft. 4 in_ version of the Bella Vista, and the latter a
straight pillar, panoramic type of body, both having a common frontal design. Also available on this chassis are the newly designed 45-seat service coach and service bus body. again common in appearance and specification to the Ford models.
Finally. comes the 1966 version of the Vega Major coach for the VA1, twinsteer chassis, also of common appearance (apart from the twin front wheels) to the Ford Mariner body. The same attractive service coach and service bus bodies. seating 53 passengers, designed for the R226. are available on the VAL. and the side elevation and seating plan of the service coach version are illustrated. In all cases, many optional extras are available, but the basic recommended body prices for all models. are tabulated above.