BEDFORD VAL

    In the early 1960s construction regulations said that a bus could be no longer than 30feet. Manufacturers wanted to build longer buses to carry more passengers, and Bedford found a loophole in the law, and so the Bedford VAL was born. They were able to build a 36feet long chassis by using three axles, two of which were at the front. With three axles, the VAL was able to use smaller wheels than normal, which meant the floor of the bus was almost flat over the wheel-arches, improving passenger comfort. Perhaps the greatest improvement to passenger comfort was the ride quality, having two front axles means any bumps in the road go almost unnoticed when sitting near the front.

    This feature is about one VAL in particular, 966RVO, a 1963 VAL 14, originally owned by Barton Transport, of Chillwell, Nottingham. It carries the only example of Yeates bodywork on a VAL chassis, and is one of only seven ever built with dual sliding doors. It worked for Barton until 1973 when it was sold to Connor & Graham, who kept it for two years and sold it on to Phillips Coach Company, of Shiptonthorpe in 1975. Two more years in service followed by withdrawal, and was parked in a yard for seven years. After much searching for a Yeates VAL, 966 was bought for preservation in November 1984, and is now the oldest VAL in preservation.

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