To keep all interested parties updated with GW713, the sole surviving 1931 Gilford 168OT coach with Weymann semi-fabric body, I thought I’d start a blog to document the restoration.
Through a series of events that have unfolded, I have now become the custodian of this coach, that my father, Prince, saved for preservation back in 1959, along with Ken Blacker and other members of the Vintage Passenger Vehicle Society(VPVS). GW became Prince's sole property in 1962 and only passed from the family's care to the Science Museum upon the dispersal of his estate in 1984.
Through a series of events that have unfolded, I have now become the custodian of this coach, that my father, Prince, saved for preservation back in 1959, along with Ken Blacker and other members of the Vintage Passenger Vehicle Society(VPVS). GW became Prince's sole property in 1962 and only passed from the family's care to the Science Museum upon the dispersal of his estate in 1984.
I finally collected GW from the Science Museum’s store at Wroughton on 17/12/09. I was accompanied on this expedition by Nick Abbott, Colin Billington and Colin Prince, who helped prepare the ole’ lady for her trip home. This involved changing the O/S front tyre because the tube would not hold air and tying down loose panels.
The low loader was kindly provided by Leon Daniels & First Group and came with a fantastic driver!
The staff at Wroughton led by Dennis Krause were also very helpful and made everything run smoothly on what can only be described as a very cold & windy visit high up on the Wiltshire hills. The only thing missing was the snow, but not to disappoint this came latter as we got home.
