Photo © West Yorkshire Information Service Collection. Please do not re-post without permission.

FWW596 was the first in a batch of four Bedford OBs with Duple C26F bodies and was new to West Yorkshire Road Car Co in July 1947, numbered 646. In April 1954 it was renumbered CP 1 and in the first half of 1957, by then the sole survivor of the batch, it was heavily rebuilt by West Yorkshire for use on the York City Tour.
It was fitted with perspex cant and roof panels, with lifting-type openers; a handsome one-piece back window; new built-in rear number plate; small centre front blind, and a completely re-trimmed interior using L.T.E. pattern moquette for the seats. Air conditioning was fitted, the plant being situated on the left hand side of the entrance. The driver's seat was of the swivel type, enabling the driver to turn and address his passengers, who doubtless admired the aerial photograph of York which was displayed inside the vehicle.
Relicensed at York on 1 June 1957 it continued in use during the Summer months every year until withdrawn on 30 September 1968.
Sold initially to a preservationist in Liverpool, luckily it passed in 1972 to David Hudson, of Bradford, who later extensively rebuilt it, as a result of which it is still a regular sight at vintage bus events and running days in West Yorkshire, beautifully restored. This official view was taken on completion of West Yorkshire's rebuilding of 1957, outside Christ Church on the Stray.

Photo taken by West Yorkshire Road Car/WYIS Collection, May 1957, Harrogate Stray

©1957-2025 West Yorkshire Information Service Collection All Rights Reserved.
You're welcome to print these pages for personal use only or to link to them as long as it's not for financial gain. Photos may not be re-posted anywhere (including facebook, flickr and fotopic sites) without permission. See the Site Map for further details.