Image Archive

I received a set of images from James Type by an unknown photographer, many of which I am unsure where to place.  They are of various vehicles of various periods.  If you know more about these vehicles please let me know and if deemed necessary I shall arrange a new page dedicated to the vehicle/marque.  It doesn't matter if your comments/views are purely conjecture; don't be afraid to send them in.

James writes: "I was given these photos in 1979, by a pensioner who rode my bus when I worked for Hants & Dorset in Andover.  At the time she was downsizing her house and having a clear out.  She asked if I was interested in photographs of buses as she had some in her attic left by her deceased husband (I'm sorry now that I never asked his name) who, during the 1920's/30's, traveled to the various works to photograph vehicles.  When I visited her to collect the photos, her son was in the attic trying to retrieve them.  He said a lot of them were useless because damp had got to them; there was only one part of a box left in good condition.  But worse, upon lifting another box that held the glass negatives, the bottom fell out and all were destroyed; all that history had gone in a second!  And didn't his elderly mother tell him off!

Webmaster: These are a treasure-trove of images that I am delighted to display on this website.  We do not know the photographer's name so we cannot attribute; but if anyone should know the likely source (late of Andover district in the 70's) then I'd be delighted to put his name to them.

I think many of these photographs were taken nearby the works at Park Royal, of pre-delivery vehicles and are very likely to be Hall Lewis or PRC bodies.  Many of the photos are of specifically good quality and I am certain that the photographer was no amateur, or if he was then he was a highly proficient one.  One of the giveaways is James's comment about the glass plate negatives being smashed.  Glass plate cameras tended to be used by the knowledgeable and what we see here is no box camera lens in my opinion.  Some cameras were capable of both plates and roll film, but plates were certainly a bulky business.  He clearly used a tripod to steady the camera (the motor show picture below is a long exposure - 2 seconds plus - judging by person movement) and to elevate it in order to avoid slanting uprights (or vertically raising the bellows to achieve the same).  Was he perhaps a staff or roving professional photographer?  If all these are his own, and we have provenance of this, then how otherwise would an amateur know the date for pre-delivery photos.  The motor show pictures confirm the supposition I think. (Ed.)

Since publishing this page James Type has been investigating these images with the help of many knowledgeable people from a number of organisations.  I have specifically attributed their help within the text either below or in the associated pages.  If I have inadvertently left anyone out then I apologise for the error in doing so and ask that I am informed. (Ed.)

First let's start with a mystery whose answer might just give us clues about many of these images. 

These are 1927 Hall Lewis bodied Karrier CL6/1’s and WL6/1 destined for Salford Corporation (see the Hall Lewis page for more information).

As the vehicles are unregistered they are no doubt pre-delivery and therefore we can date the photo as 1927.  It was certainly taken very near the Park Royal factory as the background building is the gateway to the grounds of the Royal Agricultural Show built circa 1903 (See the PRV Location page for information on the Park Royal area).

This is another 1927 Hall Lewis bodied Karrier CL6/1 destined for Salford Corporation (see the Hall Lewis page for more information).

This Enterprise coach is on a Karrier chassis.  Any further ideas?

An Autocar Services Ltd., of Maidstone/Tunbridge Wells single decker circa mid 20's maybe based on an AEC 413 chassis, one of KM 8930/1 or KM 9107/8.  The livery was a distinctive purple & ivory.

The original Autocar firm began operations in 1909 but in 1928 became part of London General Omnibus Co. Ltd..  However, upon the formation of London Transport, as most of the operations were outside London Transport's area, in 1933 it became wholly owned by Maidstone & District Motor Services and all Autocar vehicles were transferred to that company, excepting the London routes that became part of the Green Line network.  Maidstone & District wound up Autocar Services in 1935. (A new Autocar firm set up in 1997 and operating in the same area, in respect of its heritage name, retains the livery used by the original company.)

This 1928 Manchester Dennis H is demonstrator PK 3347 Ds H 90015 with Hall Lewis H28/20R bodywork was later transferred to Cardiff Corporation. (An enhanced (retouched) photograph of an original image no doubt used as an advertisement. Ed.)

This is of a 1929 Eastbourne Corporation Dennis "G" with bodywork by Hall Lewis.  There is more information on the Hall Lewis page.

These pictures are of VK 1233/4/86/7 Guy FC chassis with Hall Lewis H28/24R body of 1930.  It looks like MacBrayne's Newcastle Upon Tyne livery? What do you think?

New in February 1927, this G.W.R coach is 1255 YE 7130 Guy FBB 22257 with probable Hall Lewis B32R body.  I have had another suggestion though that the body might be by Vickers of Dartford.  Any ideas?

This is an Hall Lewis bodied Leyland TD1 dating circa 1929 (see the Hall Lewis page for more information).

This is a 1929 Hall Lewis C25R bodied Leyland TS2 (see the Hall Lewis page for more information).

Maudslay coach dating from the 30's.

This Fallowfield & Knight is one of YR 8860/1 Maudslay ML3 3999/4000 chassis of October 1926 operating around the Hackney area.  In 1927 Fallowfield & Knight became part of the London Public Omnibus Co. that itself was to become part of the London General Omnibus Co. just two years later.

This single decker seemingly has bodywork by Park Royal Coachworks but is thought to be a Maudslay ML7A chassis with B32 body by Hall Lewis, probably under construction at the time Park Royal was formed in April 1930. There is more information on the PRC and Hall Lewis pages.

This Parks Motor Tours coach is on a Maudslay ML3 chassis.  Does anyone know of this company?

Now for some charabancs!  A charabanc (pronounced sharabang) is an open-topped bus.

Tim Harding of the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society believes this is probably an Albion Viking.

Malcolm Smith writes: "In conversation with an elderly lady she described in some detail this charabanc. She recalled it being owned by Harry Mason Coaches of Stafford, who had a garage close to the railway station, and it being used for outings from Stafford in the late 1920's."  (I am grateful to Malcolm for the comment and, even if it is not the very same vehicle, I hope this helps to further identify it.  Perhaps someone knows some history of 'Harry Mason Coaches', the possible operator at the time. Ed.)

Tim Harding of the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society believes this is possibly a Berliet. 

This is a Dennis F chassis.  The light coloured livery perhaps suggests a seaside operator? Information courtesy John Bennett. Tim Harding of the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society also believes this is a Dennis.

Tim Harding of the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society believes this is probably a Daimler but maybe an AEC.  Any further ideas? 

This Daimler Charabanc UH 2880 is one of two with UH 2879 Daimler CK new to CJ Vincent of Cardiff in May 1927. Information from John Bennett.

Now for some other vehicles!

This glamorous young lady is in a 1926 Austin 12'4 Mulliner Two Seater (identified courtesy of the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society).

Where was this photo taken? I think it might be outside one of the several "outer circle" gates to Regent's Park. Ed.

This photo is of a grand Belgian 1928 Minerva Limosine with a British Cunard body (identified courtesy of the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society).

The Cunard Motor and Carriage Company began at Putney, West London in 1911 but was acquired by Napier Engineering, then based at Acton Vale, to be the coachbuilders for their vehicles. (Ed.)

Tim Harding of the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society has identified this as c1930 Ford Model AA long wheelbase. 

Alan Earnshaw explains that this picture, taken at the LMS sports ground at Wolverton in May 1933 is either a Karrier or a Ford as one of each of these was converted into a tractor to evaluate against the Karrier Cob mechanical horse.  Tim Harding thinks that it might be a Chenard Walcker Tractor as LMS used many of that make.  Any further ideas?

Clearly a Pickfords truck but what is it and what is it carrying? Any ideas?

I know the following are not buses but they are certainly interesting nonetheless.

This is the Motor (Car) Show held at the Grand Hall Olympia in the 20's.  It's evidently taken just before opening to the public as there's still a level of untidiness (a covered vehicle, a ladder etc.) and there are few visitors.

Excepting WW1 years, the Motor Show was held at Olympia from 1905 through 1936 (additionally using White City 1920-22).  There were earlier shows at Crystal Palace, Olympia (1896) and Tunbridge Wells (1895).  The show moved to Earls Court from 1937 and alternate years at the NEC from 1978 but now permanent there.

The Grand Hall Olympia was opened in 1886 and two further halls were added; the National Hall in 1923 and the Empire Hall in 1929. I'm reasonably confident that this is the Grand Hall but if anyone knows better...  Can you recognise the year; I'd say mid 20's?

This is the Velocette stand at the Motorcycle Show late 20's/early 30's and I think also at the Grand Hall Olympia.  Motor cycle shows took place at Olympia from 1919.

The Velocette name wasn't registered until 1926 (being Veloce before) and the shield-shaped sign says "The Fastest 350 in the world!"  The K350 was introduced in 1925 and won the Junior TT in '26.  So perhaps this is 1927?  In 1928, Velocette took the world one-hour record in excess of 100 mph. 

The Pinchin Johnson stand at the Motorbike Show, again perhaps at Olympia in the 20's (maybe the same show).  Trading since 1834, Pinchin Johnson, began in London's East End (Silvertown) as a producer of oils and turpentines.  In the 30's it became part of Courtaulds but quite when it had a base at the Aldwych as detailed in the image isn't known, at least by me - do you know more?

Ok, so what's with the shoes and dress shop(s) I hear you ask? 

Has the webmaster gone mad?  Well maybe, but these images were also taken by the same photographer as above and just because they are not of vehicles I cannot bring myself to ignore them.  If they help to identify the mystery-man then that's perfect and, after all, this website is about nostalgia and social history and I make no apologies for that! Enjoy!

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