Restored coach to be returned to Shetland Islands thanks to Norfolk man
Nick Taylor bought a coach five years ago and restored it. He recently found out it was used for many years to transport people around the Shetland Islands. Nick is donating the coach back to Shetland and will be driving it up there next summer. - Credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2016
It is a much-loved coach which was once a familiar sight to residents of the remote Shetland Islands.
The coach from when it was operating in the Shetland Islands - Credit: Archant
For almost three decades it served as a lifeline to the community until it was sold in 1979 and never returned.
But now, thanks to one man from Norfolk, it will be donated back to the islanders after more than 35 years.
Owner Nick Taylor, of Weybread, near Diss, is to drive the Bedford OB coach 1,000 miles from Norwich to Shetland, next June.
It comes after one of the former drivers came to visit Mr Taylor having heard that he had restored the vehicle to its former glory.
Mr Taylor, 66, said: 'I was staggered by the depth of fondness not only he [the driver] had for this coach, but also what many islanders had for it.
'It was more than just a coach for them, it was a lifeline. This bus needs to be back in the Shetland Islands.'
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He purchased the vehicle five years ago from a private owner in Wincanton for £27,000 and has taken it to various shows across the county.
But when he takes it to Scotland next year, he will donate to the Shetland Commercial Vehicle Preservation Trust.
John Watt, 71, of Reawick in Shetland, who drove the vehicle for 11 years from 1968, visited Mr Tayor in 2013.
He said: 'It was nice experience to not only see it again, but to see the condition it was in.
'It was quite a popular vehicle here and was used to carry passengers and help deliver groceries to people.'
Mr Taylor and a team of enthusiasts will drive the coach to Shetland over a two-week period in June next year.
Have you restored a rare vintage vehicle? call Luke Powell 01603 772684
