Wadham revamp for Wessex
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• Wadham Stringer is building a successor to its six-year-old steel riveted midibus body, the Wessex.
The Wessex II will be over 100mm wider than the existing model, which it is due to replace by the middle of this year.
It will have a more rounded front and rear and a smoother bodyline.
A one piece panelled roof will replace the existing four panels, and the destination dome will now be incorporated into the front of the vehicle, instead of resting on the roof.
"We were coaxed into making the changes by our customers, who wanted a wider gangway and a smoother looking design," says the Waterlooville-based bodybuilder, which so far has produced 120 Wessex bodies.
Initially the Wessex II will only be offered on the 709, 711, 811 and 814 Mercedes-Benz chassis. If the vehicle is used for mobility work, it can take a maximum of 32 seats with a wheelchair lift.
Eventually it will also be available on Renault, Leyland Daf, Iveco Ford and Mercedes-Benz chassis.
Wadham Stringer says that the Wessex II will cost about the same as the original Wessex body. It expects the first models to be delivered by May and the Wessex II is due to go into fulltime production by the middle of the year.
A re-vamped version of the six-year-old Wessex body is due to be launched by Wadham Stringer by the middle of the year.