Freighter Lawton Coaches.

[Denv12]

2.13 (584 x 399).jpg (53.51 KiB) Viewed 6797 times

Here are some Freighter Lawton built step deck coaches.The 1st one was used locally in Adelaide at the time it was photographed.What coach model was this? Was this the "Executive model? And,what years were these models built? I'm guessing that its around 1974. One has the older style door while the 1st one has the rectangular door. They have a similar front to the Ford TAA buses of the time. Were there any 3 axle versions of this body? If so,how many? Likely to be Hino's if there were. I dont know who owned the green coach or where it went. How many of these coaches were built? Who owned any at the time? I would guess that there were Leylands,Bedfords,Hino,etc would have been the popular chassis for this body at the time. This coach model or maybe this particular one had a good size entrance sedan door. I know those seats in it were good quality seats made by Freighter Lawton too. The other photos of the Hino coach of CMV and the STA Roadliner coaches I assume would have been the same model in their respective years.

I remember back in 1979 or 1980 "Truckland CMV" had an ex Briscoes coach same as this one,it was also a Bedford.Nice coach too.I was working at Truckland CMV in 1979 and 1980 and while I was learning to drive both trucks and buses I did drive the Briscoes coach while it was on sale at the time.Loved driving it too.(my dad was general manager there at the time,thats Truckland CMV not Briscoes.) You're welcome to post photos if you have them of other coaches like this one.Thanks.

I did find these links:

https://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/th ... =freighter

http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... 48&t=76252

http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... 48&t=73888

I havent found other photos of this year model coach as per my photos.I did find a variety of of photos of coaches built around 1972 and after 1974.There are differences.

Update:
Just added more photos. A CMV sponsored coach,photos showing front,rear and side views.Is this a later model coach compared to the green coach and the cream coach? The 1st STA Roadliner coach photo would be an older model and the 2ns STA Roadliner photo would be a later version too.The white CMV Hino coach would be around the same year.

[paulgersche]

Denv12,
It's interesting that the pic shows that it is a "Government" bus (the "G" registration label is the giveaway here!) Which SA Government department do you think would have been responsible for it?

Regards,
Paul.

[Denv12]

Denv12,
It's interesting that the pic shows that it is a "Government" bus .Which SA Government department do you think would have been responsible for it?

Hi paulgersche.
I remember this bus was owned by the hospital at Glenside at the time.They contacted my father at the time.He bought the vehicle.I dont know what happened to it after that.I dont remember seeing the vehicle repainted.
Denv12.

[system improver]

Perhaps the first bus, a Bedford looking at the hub caps, was new to Thomas Tours as their number 4 (RUG 414), a VAM70 new 4/73, and was acquired by the STA in 1974 and became Roadliner 73.

[Denv12]

Perhaps the first bus, a Bedford looking at the hub caps, was new to Thomas Tours as their number 4 (RUG 414), a VAM70 new 4/73, and was acquired by the STA in 1974 and became Roadliner 73.

If the coach in the 1st photo was bought new for the hospital then its possible there was another coach that came from Thomas Tours into the STA Roadliner fleet.The 1st coach had been for sale at the time around the late 1980s at least.Thats when my dad would have bought it. Does anyone have any fleet histories of Thomas Tours and STA Roadliner?

Here's my old post on STA Roadliner photos:
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... 45&t=73796

I just found this list that might answer your question,system improver.
http://www.users.on.net/~wisp/TESSA/MTT ... qBuses.pdf

[Denv12]

Another STA Roadliner coach built by Freighter Lawton.