Search results for ""Author Tim Machin""

Until the last quarter of the twentieth century Maltese buses had generally had locally constructed bodywork, often a modified chassis of UK or American origin. A variety of liveries was carried. By the mid-1970s, out went the traditional liveries to be replaced by a uniform ‘spray green’ with white roof for route buses, while coaches initially carried a livery of buff and white. The start of the 1980s saw the importation of complete vehicles from the UK. AEC Swifts were sourced from London Transport, while a variety of Bedford and Ford coaches started to appear carrying bodies by Plaxton and Duple. Other types included Bristol LH, AEC Reliance, Leyland Leopard, Tiger Cub and Panther Cub. In typical Maltese fashion vehicles were often modified with different axles, engines and gearboxes, bodies rebuilt and, in some cases, replaced totally. In 1995, the livery changed to yellow/white with an orange waistband and continued so until 2011.

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Coach styles at the start of the 1950s were still very traditional. All that was about to change with the introduction of the new underfloor-engined chassis and an increase of maximum length. Improvements in technology helped styles become more adventurous and flamboyant as the decade progressed. The 1960s heralded the motorway age, coaches becoming bigger from 1961 and capable of cruising at much higher speeds. Styles moved with the times and by the end of the decade the maximum length increased to 12 metres. Continental coach holidays increased in popularity and European coachbuilders started to sell in the UK in increasing numbers, with executive and high-floor coaches much in demand. After a slow start in 1972, Volvo headed the influx of foreign chassis manufacturers and within fifteen years home-built coaches were in the minority. Supported by a wealth of fascinating images, Tim Machin takes the reader on a journey through these changes.

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