Hi everybody...

Starting a new tread on this forum, dedicated to the BMC's Training Unit Busses.

Designed by Pininfarina and build by Marshall Bodywork, Cambridge. There supposed to be build a total of 21 units, first a series of six, then a batch of 15. First series were slitghly different from the second, mostly in the front and side mouldings. They were shorter and rounder. A few were used by The Competition Dept. as race transporter and support vehicles. One training unit is under restoration here in Norway, in that case I'm searching for history and other facts/pics of those busses.

Please feel free to post what ever you know of those units.

See photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brimen/

Sincerely,
Brimen.

Would be nice to find one of the transporters.

Tony

Wasn't there a training bus for sale that we were trying to get you to buy, some time back, or am I having another senior moment?

P

The one in Texas, I believe...but it couldn't carry a car.

The one in Texas is now here in So Cal and is for sale again. If I had the room, it would have been here long ago.

If it would haul a car inside.....

did you get the newspaper article I sent?

Yes, I got it.

I have a "Christmas eve" now, thanks alot, it helps me search for more facts.
Thank you very much.

The "union Jack" painted bus were sold to Mr. Craig Burchsted, Houston TX. Last year a classic car dealer in Santa Barbara CA bought it, and it's now for sale again. (link below)

http://www.finecars.cc/en/detail/car/28329/index.html?no_cache=1&ret=20&request[filter][offset]=0&request[filter][rowcount]=6

Sincerely,
Brimen

cool - FWIW they wanted $8,000 back then (mid 90's)

What's "FWIW"???

Have a nice day, take care...

For What It's Worth

Hi there...

Been searcing the "Newspaperarcive.com" tonight, and find three interresting articles regarding this BMC Units. Two of them says that there were six Training Units serving North America.

# 1: "Lebanon Daily News, PA., October 16, 1963". Ladd Motors.
# 2: "The Van Nuys News, CA., Aug. 20 1963". Hammer Imports,11041 Sepulveda Blvd.
# 3: "The Sunday Gleaner, July 12 1964". Kingston, Jamaica. St Andrew Trade Training Centre, 66 Spanish Town Road.

Yes, they even been to Jamaica!!

Also got one article from Toronto area, "Guardian of Guelph, March 19, 1963". Walter Swanston Farm Equipment, Nuffield tractor dealer.

Officially there is only one left in North America, the one in CA., but I know there is some interest from Netherland!

Take action guys, save this historic vehicle in your country!!!

Pics and facts are highly welcome

Have a nice day,
Brimen

Welcome Brimen! And good luck with the bus...it's neat!

I have had a sort of "poor man's version" of that in the past when I had my ~Old NY Fire Dept StepVan~

~Another Picture~

I passed it on to another family member but he's looking to sell it.......runs decent and all aluminum body with 350 engine and FDNY heritage to boot!
$2000 if anyone's interested.

I've been inside that bus. the guy that owned it previous to the Texas owner used to bring it to the Watkins Glen Vintage Fest every year. One year he gave me a tour of the bus, and told me a bit of it's history. At the time it had been converted into an RV instead of being the workshop van that it originally was. I have pics somewhere. He was a little odd, but a very nice guy. The bus was hard to miss. I wanted to buy it and turn it into a rolling parts store to take to British car shows and events.

Actually Ben...

Both of the BMC Coaches were converted into motorhomes after being sold off here in Canada back in the 1960's. Which I'm sure made sense at the time to the new owners of them.

I was at British Car Day in Ontario the year that both of them were at the show (perhaps 2001 or 2002?), it was before Al painted his example with the Union Jack, they were parked right beside each other. I think Al has always been a British car fan, but I seem to recall that the person who owned the other one wasn't really, it was just simply an old motorhome that was nice for camping with, I suspect that many of the previous owners of these motor coaches/motorhomes never really knew how significant they are... At least they all managed to survive to preserve some interesting history.

Thanks for comment, Sherlock.

You talk about two busses at the same meet early 2000. It might be right, but I know that Alan Guest (big Al) did sell one unit to UK March 2000. It drowe down to New York and was shipped to Southampton, UK. So in that case, if you saw two busses in 2002, there must have been a third bus in that area!!! Very interesting. Hope you will take your time search for pics you might have from that British Car Day. Hopefully it shows the licence plate numbers for further searching. The bus Alan did owned was licenced "107 HVA".

I have contact with Big Al and some others from UK, and will recive some new info soon.

I surely will post some info here, we must get to bottom of this......
Lets stick together.

New fotos added at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brimen/

So long...

I hope that Basil will excuse this crosslink to another forum. For those interested in more pictures about these support vehicles, please see the parallel thread running at MiniMania.

http://www.minimania.com/web/threadid/95371/msgthread.cfm

Big Al is a very important person in the Mini community.

Here is a copy of the article in
"The Van Nuys News, Aug. 20 1963"

BMC Training
Van Will Visit
San Fernando

A huge diesel - powered
mobile training unit, one of
six being operated by the
British Motor Corp. throughout
the United States and
Canada, will stop at Hammer
Imports, Inc. of 11041 Sepulveda
Blvd., Mission Hills, for
a special operating and
training session between
factory-trained service engineers
and Hammer Imports
mechanics, service manager,
and parts managers.
Traveling with the mobile
training unit is a factory representative
to explain the
design and operation of the
mobile units.
Purpose of the mobile
training units is to bring to
BMC's nationwide dealer network
the latest factory information
and how it should
be applied by mechanics,
service managers and parts
managers in the workshop.
Each mobile training unit
is set up to simulate a lecture
room and is complete with
blackboard, movie projector,
work benches, tables and
chairs. A complete range of
BMC service tools mounted
on tool boards during lectures
can be stowed in low level
lockers for transit.
With the introduction of
mobile training unit, BMC
feels that it will more effectively
increase the standard
of product knowledge at
its dealerships resulting in
improved service to BMC
car owners in North America.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



HAMMER IMPORTS INC., 11041 Sepulveda Blvd, San Fernando, will play
host to British Motor Corp's. giant mobile training van. BMC has six such
vans calling on its dealers throughout United States and Canada. Their purpose is to bring to BMC's North American dealer network latest factory information and how it should be applied.

(This is a picture text, unable to copy the pic.)

See you...

That's a great idea. It would be useful to fill the bus with a complete set of fuel pumps, dizzy rotors and caps, coils, spark plugs, water pumps, thermostats and stuff like that. You'd make a mint at any british car show!

By the way, I have only one thing to say about this bus:

If the bus is a rockin', don't come a knockin'

I knows a coupla guys in Puerto Rico who could use dis ting heah........ Nah....fuggeddaboudit..... <--- where did THAT come from...??? LOL

Hey, you all.....

Been a bit quiet out there for a while!!!

Doesn't anyone have any info to chare??? I have found some newspaper articles from several events at local BMC dealers, but still searcing for actual photos. It was six units cruisin across North America in 1963 - 1965. About fifteen more in the rest of the world. There must be someone who knows anything. Can anyone confirm that those busses were build on a BMC/Morris FFK 140 chassis ??? And was it a Perkins 5.7 litre, 120 hp, or 5.1 litre, 105 hp. engine used???

Many thanks,
Brimen.

Feel free take a look at photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brimen/

Does anyone out there have photos of Training Units like this one??
It's the first edition of those busses. A bus like this had a six months journey through the Caribbeans 1964.




Thank a lot,
Brimen.

My latest info:

In the BMC newspaper "The BMC Rosette" June 1963, there is an article about some units says
"at present there are some 30 of these units in operation throughout the world".

The production number are highly risin from six (some months ago) to "some 30's" now, and this number comes from BMC themselfs !!!

All kind of info and photos are highly welcome.


MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!!!

Brimen

Keep us posted this is interesting stuff.

Pat

"It's the first edition of those busses. A bus like this had a six months journey through the Caribbeans 1964.
"

Wow, THAT must have been seriously expensive. Not ma,y bridges connecting the islands in the Caribbean.

Great stuff, Thanks!


Colin

About the Caribeean tour, here's a copy of the article in the Jamaican newspaper

THE DAILY GLEANER, May 9, 1964.

Instruction
classes for
mechanics

Two highly trained factory
instructors, Mr. Christopher
G. Robson and William
Salmond from the British Motor
Corporation Service Ltd.
last week started the first mobile
training school for mechanics
ever held in Jamaica.
Their job is to instruct a group
of mechanics employed with
BMC dealers in Jamaica and
neighbouring Caribbean areas
in up-to-date servicing procedures
for all BMC vehicles, private
and commercial.
Mr. Christopher G. Robson, a
service instructor with the
BMC Service Ltd. in Oxford,
England, came to Jamaica
on April 14 from Trinidad
following a 14 week training
period there to await the arrival
of the giant 30 feet long
BMC Service truck, which is
being used, is equipped with
demonstration machinery that
includes break units, rear
boxes, fuel pumps, carburetors
and all items necessary for
conducting an extensive six
month Caribbean training
course aimed at improving the
standard of service in this
market.

Some tour, yeahhh???

"Brimen"
NORWAY

It's a man's life in BMC Service!

Colin

Hey hey hey, lookie what's in the background behind the Lancia!

eBay Car for Sale


It helps if you press the "supersize" button for the picture....

Contact him & see what he wants for it!

I contacted him and this is his response (I'll post the pics separately):

Here is a link to more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27560220N03/sets/72157606341405930/detail/


This is the only example left in North America of the two that were originally sent here. It is BMC's equivalent of GM's Futurliner.

> BMC (British Motor Corporation) consisted of several makes and brands. In the early 60's, the BMC management decided to build some busses to provide support for BMC's racing efforts. These specialized vehicles were also used for public relations, and to train and educate dealers and mechanics around the world. These were for official BMC use, and never sold to the public until they were retired from active service.
>
> Designed in Italy by Pininfarina and coachbuilt by Marshall's Aerospace of Cambridge, UK (The BRM bus was also built by Marshall's). All alloy construction including inner body structure similar to an airliner.

> This should be considered a piece of history, and, with its Pininfarina coachwork, it would be fitting to change the color scheme to blood red, and have it lettered with "Scuderia Ferrari" script. This would be an asset to any vintage race team and would be an incredible sight in the pits. It is at least as stylish as the famous BRM & Ecurie Ecosse transporters.
>
> One of the other Pininfarina busses has been converted with an opening rear panel to load cars. The example displayed here is still in its original configuration. If the next owner does not choose to keep it original, it could be converted to haul cars, tow a trailer, or simply be used as a driver's lounge (or posh apartment on wheels) at the track. It could also be used by a manufacturer for promotions, as it certainly draws considerable attention.
>
> The engine has been upgraded with a later Perkins diesel and it runs and drives well, and looks incredible going down the road! The pedals are arranged like a vintage Gran Prix car (gas pedal in the center). Left hand drive. There are several large compartments on the sides for tools and equipment. Length is 30' overall, with 15' tailfins. Nice unrestored condition, with a beautiful patina of age that is impossible to replicate.
>
> Serious offers considered.

Here's the link to all the pics you could ever want:

BMC Unit Training Bus

Helloooo...


Does anyone out there have any copies of the BMC inhouse newspaper "THE BMC ROSETTE"???
Paper copies are highly welcome, but also PDF's.







Here is a photo from a BMC info folder, issued 1966.






I see that some of you out there referes to the "Competition Dept." regarding those busses, the right thing should be the "Service Dept."
There were only two Units transfered to the Comp's, (1964??), and one were used as a race transporter, licence BMC34.

More photos at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brimen/

See you !!!

OK so I'm watching this (DKW) racing video

http://www.archive.org/details/dkw-zandvoort

there's no sound but what a timecapsule!

anyway, about 13:30 in there is a pan of what appears to be another team bus. Take a look

does anyone have the bmc rosette and the leyland times magazine to scan or pdf plez

Victoria - Moss - & maybe others.

Thanks for your tip, but it isn't what I'm looking for. They wasn't "on wheels" before 1962 - 63.
Funny to see those DKW's racing around!! Made a good laught.

I've got a lot of helpful info from some in AU, take a look at my tread at:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=48407

Also got a newspaper article from BigAl regarding those two units he owned that was based at the Hamilton Distribution Centre, Canada. (Old Autos, Oct.4, 1999).

By the way: Do you have the original article that you mail me some time ago?? Or, maby perhaps, the complete paper??

Many Thanks JP,
appreciate your help.

Any luck yet Mr.????

Too bad the back end doesn't have a door & ramp...
...this would make a COOL race car hauler for those Vintage Race events!

HMMMMMmmmmmm...... I wonder what it would take to modify the back panel to swing up, and then you could fab a couple of ramps, and then...
(dangerous & expensive thoughts...)

-Bear-

Actually at least one of these BMC coaches did have ramp for car hauling, but the rear end was also shaped a little different if I remember correctly...

"Actually at least one of these BMC coaches did have ramp for car hauling, but the rear end was also shaped a little different if I remember correctly..."

Yes, you remember correctly...

You can see them in my Flickr-album:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brimen/sets/72157608734124638/detail/

Hey...

One (I think it is the same vehicle) used to attend our spring meet in Ancaster Ontario every spring... I think I have photos on film somewhere (not in my digital files anyway) will do a search! Assume it is the one that went to the Glen as it had a huge Union Jack painted on it?

Yup - same vehicle

hi it the bmc rosette

no i haven't found any yet do you have any

No.
Been talking to Watto and Julie, but nothing for sale.


Thanks,
Brimen

Here is the Swedish Unit, own by "BMC Sweden AB" from Feb. 6, 1964 to Jan. 9, 1969.



There are some BMC Rosette article copies of those busses at:

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=48407&highlight=bmc+training


Have a nice day!!!

And appropriately named "ICE UNIT".

Hee How appropriate...

Isn't that "COOL"!!!!

perhaps off topic - perhaps not

http://blog.hemmings.com/

Go to July 13 - not a transporter but interesting none the less

You mean the Midget? Or the other 13th blog?

No, he mean July 11.
Further down the page, the Kassboerer sleeper cab.

Thanks for the link, JP !!!

great stuff.

The Straits Times, 20 October 1964

BMC MOBILE SCHOOL TOURS MALAYA
The British Motor Corporation mobile service training unit now touring Malaya and Singapore with highly-trained staff to conduct five-week ccurses of instruction in many centres.

Is there any info out there about this BMC tour???

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brimen/

Another Unit discovered in US!!!

A BMC Training unit found in Hayward, CA. This is third of the six that served US and Canada in the sixties.
I'll guess that there might be some other too, somewhere.
This makes the total survivals to eight, about 1/4 of the total built.
Link to "ANAMERA" ad:
http://www.finecars.cc/en/detail/car/49815/index.html?no_cache=1&ret=139

Cheers...

Be interesting to guess what he's asking for it?

listed as sold already

The new owner, Mark Michell, says in the tread "BMC Bus on Craiglist" at MINIMANIA Forum.

"I would consider selling the 2nd bus for $25000"!!!!!

Further comment unnecessary...

Have a nice day, take care.

HOW MANY ARE LEFT???

It seems to be different numbers on how many were made and how many were "here and there" !!!
I will try to give some help, but I'm only 98% sure.

As far as I know, there is nine survivals today:


#1. The Norwegian unit that were based in Sweden.






#2. The first unit that Big Al discovered 1998 and exported to UK 2000.
It is license BMC 27, but I have no photo of that vehicle.





#3. Second unit that Big Al discovered in 2000. The one you ALL know so well!!!




#4. 960PJO. Seen at Silverstone July 2005.






#5. NWL683H. Seen at Clackett Lane 2007.






#6. 168UXS. Converted to a Race Transporter in the nineties.






#7. The Unit that appeared in the Bay area, Aug 2009.






#8. BMC 25, the unit converted to a race transporter by Mr. Stanworth. It's a copy of
the original transporter, BMC34, that were burn out in the nineties.






#9. The AU Camper, almost unrecognizable, but it's the Unit based in Victoria, AU.
Used by The Young Lions Race Team early seventies.





There were build a total of 33 Units, (ref: BMC Rosette 1963),
6 of the first series (1959-60),
then 27 of the second (1963). (ref: BMC Rosette 1965).
There were one in Scandinavia, two in Australia (one of each series) four in US and two in Canada. The CanadaUnits are well known, and it now seems that one of the US Units have appeared.
Some says 17 in UK, but I'm not sure of that.

But, I'm sure there's more Units out there.
YOU NEVER KNOW!!!



http://www.flickr.com/photos/brimen/

That's some pretty good information...wonder if it could be saved in the "wiki"?

Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, April, 2005

Well, I'm betting the reserve will be 5 figures.

This one's gotta be 7 figures.....

http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ10&CarID=r530

I hope that they get these great prices... great bus. will be watching the sale.
Would love to see more of the interior.

The reserve will undoubtedly be five figures because his asking price was already five figures ($35K) last time I conversed with him.

Its just an open space!!!

More photos at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brimen/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27560220N03/sets/72157606341405930/

When I sat in that driver's seat in the 90's they wanted 8k for the bus - and it had an interior - nasty camper paneling interior but an interior. And just a reminder, when you look at the pedals from left to right you saw clutch-gas-brake. The cockpit is exactly as it was

And to you also

the things you see when you're looking for something else

http://www.racing-legends.com/news.htm

"Estimate:
$115,000-$145,000 US"

Well, well...

Brimen59
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brimen/

Unofficial:

RM Auction, Phoenix AZ:

SOLD $ 55 000,-




Guess there's one happy guy in Ventura CA !!!

Mark.


So long...

Brimen
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brimen/

So,they still held the auction after all?

- Doug

I saw the bus on Thursday night but I didn't stay to watch it sell. It was completely empty but didn't appear to be in the best of shape. If you were going to use it, it would need a total restoration.

A new "member" of the series two recently
appeared, it's the "UNIPART Rally Team" support bus of 1975. It's a camper seen at Stonehenge festival early 2000. This makes the total survivors to 10, eight series two and two series one.

Got a copy of the article in,


The Straits Times, 16 October 1964

“Malaya sees BMC Mobile school

The British Motor Corporation has build a fleet of mobile service training units,
one of which is now in Singapore to offer BMC dealers and staff a five week training course in the latest servicing techniques.
The unit, with two instructors, Mr L.E.Bond and Mr. G.B.Higgins, will begin a five month tour of Malaya on Monday and will visit Malacca, Seremban, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang.

THE PROBLEM.
With more than 10000 service station throughout the world BMC had to find a solution to the problem of supplying the most up-to-date technical advice and trained staff efficiently to serve the requirements of these stations, separated by great distances.

The answer were found in the mobile service training units, to help their dealers obtain the same training in the latest servicing techniques as the permanent offer from the highly-trained staff who will travel with the units.

The first six units began operating in 1960 and have been used with great success in Europe, Australia and South Africa. “


It was a RHD series two Unit used at this operation.

sometimes things show up in quite by accident. I was reading Classics Monthly on my vacation and saw this ad for this company

http://www.bmccomps.co.uk/

oops and a few more pictures here

http://www.bmccomps.co.uk/gallery.htm

Thanks, JP !!!

I'm aware of that bus, it's the copy of BMC 34.
Owned by Paul Stanworth.
Nice job done here.

Cheers...

not a ton of links work and no BMC's but, still...

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/transporter.htm