Duple coach for Moscow
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Embassy service for Bedford-based 20-seater ANEW British 20-seater coach leaves today for Moscow where it is to go into service with the British Embassy. The coach is a Duple-bodied Bedford J2SZ converted to left-hand drive and fitted with a Bedford petrol engine. Special insulation plus a Smiths-Webasto heating unit will ensure comfort for the Embassy staff in the extremes of climate experienced in Moscow.
Built at the Willowbrook factory at Loughborough, the coach is based on the standard design offered by Duple on the Bedford J2. It is fitted with 20 GA.220 luxury coach seats trimmed in light grey PVC and tubular mesh based parcel racks are fitted either side.
Externally the vehicle is painted in two shades of grey and it is expected that the coach will attract much attention from Muscovites.
Commenting on the purchase, a Foreign Office official said that it was most important for our national image to have a firstclass bus in Moscow.
On a demonstration run in London last Friday, the temperature inside the vehicle reached 90°F, despite the severe temperatures outside, demonstrating the efficiency of the oil-fired heating unit.
Surplus for Salford: In the year ended March 31 last, net surplus of Salford City Transport amounted to £11,667. Although less than the surplus for the previous year (£86,602) the general manager in his report said that this must be considered very sans, factory in view of the recent large increases in costs.
Longer M6: The M6 motorway will be 117 miles long when an eight-mile section from Dunston to Shareshill, Staffs., is opened early next month.