THE
SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - AUX 296
The unique Sentinel HSG/Cowieson of
1939, AUX 296, which was formerly part of the Purvis brothers' collection,
arrived at the museum in summer 2000. The bus has been in the workshop since
shortly after it arrived and work is well under way on what will obviously be a
very comprehensive restoration. So far, the old bodywork has been stripped away
and the fitting of new timber framing looks well advanced. Readers may remember
that the partner to this vehicle, albeit built by Gilford, ran for Highland
Transport.
Left: Photo of the bus when new, that appeared in the monthly magazine Bus & Coach Preservation
CLICK ON PHOTOS TO SEE LARGER IMAGE
The following information was supplied by B. Mel. Gough in August 2004.
This vehicle was bought by G Cooper & Son Oakengates, Shropshire, now part of Telford. The vehicle was a demonstrator from 1939 to 1942. When it came to Coopers it had a Hercules petrol engine fitted and was put in fleet colours of blue and cream. My father drove this bus regularly on stage service and on private Contract to the Ministry of Defence on troop movement in early 1940s. As a boy I use to go with dad when on holiday from school.
Coopers
started in the 1920s with a mixed fleet of vehicles such as Willys Overland /
GMC / Dodge / Roe / Chevrolet / Vulcan / Dennis Lancet / Gilford /
Bedford WTB / Sentinel. In 1948 they bought a fleet of Crossley SD42/7
single deck coaches with bodies by Junction / Metalcraft and bus bodies by
Burlingham. When these vehicles arrived they were in new colours of
orange/brown. Some of the older
vehicles
were repainted in the new colours. The Sentinel was painted and looked good in
orange/brown.
In 1956 he started to change the older vehicles for Bedford SBs / Val 14s / Vam5s / Vam70s / YRQs . The old girl still worked on local service till about 1960 when she was put to rest in the back of the garage and used as a store for seats. It stayed there till 1976 when Coopers sold to Midland Red [BMMO]. It was pulled out of the garage and left out in the back yard for a short while until it was taken to Hexham for preservation.
That was the last time I saw the bus until I came to the museum on the 1st August 2004 and saw it in the body shop looking better. The guide I was with said it was hoped that it would be finished in about 18 months if all went well.
The following information was supplied by Alan Gaut in December 2009
When Coopers sold out to Midland Red, the yard/workshops were rented by J.E Edwards Transport Limited. I was an apprentice mechanic for Edwards Transport in 1975. I remember very well this bus up the back of the yard and in particular the Hercules 6 cyl. petrol engine fitted to it.
I was there on the day the bus was taken away to be restored, and it was pretty well complete. My foreman was an ex-Coopers mechanic and came as part of the package when Edwards took over the yard/workshops. I remember him telling me about the bus and I remember him saying something about the Hercules engine not being the original engine and that during the bus’s life, I think war time, was run on steam/gas, and he showed me where the modifications had been done. Harry Timmins was his name and I believe he is still living locally (Telford) and must be heading towards his 90s. I will endeavour to find this out. I hope this information is of use to you.