Tilling-Stevens

Sir,

The reference to the Tilling-Stevens ‘buses, in last year’s “Vintage Postbag,” brought to mind the photographs I found when I was apprenticed to John C. Beadle Ltd., of Dartford, Kent. During the 1920s Beadles were a notable coachbuilding firm, and I believe the bodies shown in the photographs were built by them. All of postcard size, they show six or seven views of ‘buses built for Maidstone and Bournemouth Corporations.

Several years ago I saw a Tilling-Stevens petrol-electric lorry at a vintage commercial vehicle gathering at Brighton, and was prompted to send some photographs to the owner through the club secretary. The secretary replied, thanking me, and telling me that he was, himself, restoring a ‘bus of this type.

I have enclosed one of the photographs found at Beadles. Perhaps your readers will find it as interesting as I have.

Finally, long may you continue to publish the best value motoring magazine available. Your classified advertisement section is more interesting than the articles in some other magazines.

Compton Bassett, L. A. Smith