OHK 432 - 1949 Daimler CVD6

Roberts H30/26R body

Colchester Corporation No. 4

Colchester Corporation ordered ten Roberts bodied Daimler CVD6 buses but took delivery of only five - the others being diverted to other operators. They arrived in the Spring of 1949 and the last one in service, number 4 OHK 432 was withdrawn in 1968.

Roberts were an unusual choice of bus body builder - they were more commonly associated with railway vehicles and occasional trams. The body is unusually heavy - weighing about half a ton more than most buses of similar size. This affected the fuel consumption of these vehicles, and may have been a factor in the decision to cancel the second batch of five.

More on the history of Colchester Corporation Transport - including a photograph of identical bus No. 2 can be seen here.

By the early seventies, No. 4 had found its way to the Coventry Road Transport Museum where it remained until 1986. That year it was acquired by two members of the Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society, one of whom was Steve Milner, the current Chairman. For the next nine years it stood in the rear yard awaiting major electrical work. Although as the years passed it looked increasingly shabby, it was generally in good shape - the metal body had served the bus well. Apart from the electrics, the rear platform had rotted and the inside was in need of considerable refurbishment. A full external repaint was a must.

During its first year after restoration, number 4 travelled about 1,000 miles to rallies at Sandtoft, Sheffield, Nottingham and Manchester as well as local trips. The programme of work during 2000 included a new complete exhaust and chassis repaint. Thanks to an appeal in Bus and Coach Preservation, Ian Pratt produced a Colchester bus clock that he had purchased from an antique shop in the area some years earlier. This has been fitted and enhances the lower saloon.

LEFT - No. 4 prior to restoration. RIGHT- Many Colchester buses carried this advert, including a clock, on the lower saloon bulkhead. "Wind the clock" is an unusual feature of the maintenance schedule for this bus!

A picture of No. 4 in its service days, inside Colchester's bus garage can be seen here on 'Jaspers Transport Photographs'

June 1999 - A lot of effort and time has transformed both the interior and exterior of the bus. The lower deck has been thoroughly cleaned including the ceiling (another yuk job) and the seat frames, window frames etc repainted. The upper deck is now receiving the same treatment and has to have some new timber in the decking. The cab too has been repainted. At the time of writing the exterior was being rubbed down for a quick repaint (is there such a thing?) and gloss paint had been applied to the roof.

October 1999 - This Colchester bus passed its MOT test just in time for the Sandtoft Rally and an appearance at the Ruddington event. New fleetnames etc were applied just in time for the above after the exterior and interior repaint was finished. Some floor boards have been replaced on the upper deck, new lino laid and reupholstered seats fitted. The staircase was repaired where necessary and new floor treads fitted which really enhanced its appearance, together with its new tyres. All in all it looks really great. The completion of the tidy-up(!) meant that OHK had many admirers at a wedding in Southwell in the middle of August where it conveyed guests to the reception. The owners wish to thank all those who helped 'get it there' in so many ways.

October 2000 - A complete chassis clean and hand repaint has been accomplished, and a rear exhaust system is being manufactured.

January 2001 - A complete exhaust system has been fitted, the chassis repainted (by hand) and a new MOT obtained. A genuine lower deck saloon clock has been fitted.

April 2003 - This is receiving repairs to a shock absorber linkage and the throttle control after a return spring snapped and went into orbit.

July 2004 - Attention to the fuel pump controls/throttle has recently been undertaken and a water leak sorted out in the process.

October 2004 - This has now passed its MOT test.

July 2007 - A vacuum leak has been rectified so the vehicle can be tested.

Oct 2007 - This too has been MOT tested although this also had a tyre problem the week previous.

This vehicle is currently stored away from the Museum and is not on regular public display.