[zb]
anorak:
Anyone know anything about this?
telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop … 17000.html
I know it was on eBay a while back for a silly amount of money and it didn’t sell. It’s based on a Foden Haulmaster chassis, but that’s all I can tell you.
[zb]
anorak:
Anyone know anything about this?
telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop … 17000.html
Foden/Glover And Webb B35F Margaret Thatcher VIP Armoured Bus of 1983.Model desigination something like S106RM/AB.Margaret sat in the driving seat,and her husband Dennis:-
Foden/Glover And Webb B35F Margaret Thatcher VIP Armoured Bus of 1983.Model designation will be something like S106RM/AB:-
This Foden Bus was equpped with Nuclear,Biological and Chemical Warfare Protection.
A fascinating motor vehicle 
As the previous poster said somebody wanted silly money for it on EBay:A dealer in ex-military vehicles (for this is what this Foden actually is) put it on EBay UK,and he wanted £10,000 000 for it! 
:-
cars.aol.co.uk/2012/10/24/magare … y-for-10m/
And here is the EBay UK Auction details of this Foden! 
:-
Armoured coach ex Margret thatcher northern ireland 38 ton monster
See original listing
Item condition:
Used
Ended:
22 Nov, 201221:07:27 GMT
Current bid:
£5,100.00
[ 27 bids ]
Postage:
Free collection in person
Item location:
helmdon, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Seller:
abbott433 (410)
|
Seller’s other items
Sell one like this
Description
110976093582
Item number:
Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.
Item specifics
Many thanks to all the people who sent us information about our armored bus and the 38 thousand that took a look at the advert.,IS THIS A RECORD
Some of the stories could have come straight out of a james bond book.Nice to know that the name on the side was nothing to do with a coach company,but was actually just the name of the scientists who developed its grandson.Even had an email from a guy with a filling station who remembers it well .when he saw it filling up thought he would take a closer look and was told in no uncertain terms his interest was not wanted by a guy with a bulge under his jacket. and how this actual bus was later used for troops to take the white knuckle ride from Derry to Befast airport.
WITH ALL THE TROUBLES IN THE WORLD THIS SHOULDENT BE JUST SITTING IN OUR YARD
We have for sale here at tanks-alot.co.uk a very rare armoured bus/coach allegedly made for Margaret Thatchers’ Northern Ireland Tour in the 80s. Its very low mileage, just 28 thousand kilometers from new, seems to have no mechanical faults, starts/stops/steering good, engine running clean and smooth.
It has a large diesel secondary engine for powering the air conditioning system which is rather large, I’m expecting it to need a re-gas. I was assured the tyres are run flats for obvious reasons and its designed to withstand a 7.62 round.
The beast weighs in at 38 ton, and the chassis and running gear seem to be FODEN The engine is a 12 litre Rolls Royce, the builders were Glover and Webb and I’m really struggling to find out anything about its specification which is a real downer, because a TV company want it for contestants to shelter in for protection on a posh new show and H+S want it’s exact spec.
CAN ANYONE SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS BEAST? HAVE YOU DRIVEN IT? HAVE YOU RIDDEN IN IT? DID YOU HELP BUILD IT? HAVE YOU SHOT AT IT? DO YOU WANT TO BUY IT?
GOOD POINTS
Fantastic build quality
Great tyres
Great mechanics
Tidy interior
Load bay area behind 32 seats
Rear and both side opening doors
Front door air assisted
You and your 30 wives go to market and dont get shot or blown up!
BAD POINTS
Three panels of the flat slabs of armoured glass at the front have gone cloudy and need replacing. Have found a company locally who can do this but they also want its build spec
Exterior needs repainting .We can do this or it can be sold as is
Has never been registered on the road /EX MILITARY
No television.
Tanksalot is a company with 20 years trading in military vehicles and arranging Tank driving experiences and will require a deposit before atempting to export please bear in mine some countries may be exemp/impossible to export to
Bid with confidence see our feedback
Any questions call Nick 07860 455636
Questions from other members : Armoured coach ex Margret thatcher northern ireland 38 ton monster
Question & Answer Answered On
Q: Hi, I remember seeing this vehicle many times back in the 1980s in N.Ireland transporting soldiers , Mrs T used armoured Granadas in convoy during her whistle stop unannounced trips which were usually only 1 day or 2 at very most . I can also say there was another such vehicle painted out in Ulsterbus colours [ blue and white ] which ferried troops from the totally fictional Smithair air terminal at Belfast City airport which was a security measure to protect soldiers coming and going in the airport . Nice to see the old bus again and good luck with the sale . Nicky 21-Nov-12
A: Thanks for your message the stories surrounding the bus are amazinghad loads of interesting stuff when it was on a 30 day listing but not able to show them on that type of advert.But i have printed them of and built up an interesting file some i couldent have shown anyway.Very close to getting its build spec i believe.May still have a chance at one of the TV shows .They need contestants near explosions ,perfect.But health and safty need its exact specifications,even thopugh its far beyond what the require strength wise.
Q: hi if i was to come to you friday woulld you accept £6500 cash but i would not be able to arrange collection untill the 3rd of december as i have no more slots for export at my yard ? thanks exports for you 21-Nov-12
A: Im happy to store the battle bus for you but think it will make a bit more than £6,500 it cost millions in the 80’s and has lots of life left in her.In this troubled world someone must have a use for it.Its a life saver cant believe United Nations havent put a bid in.Great for camping trips in afghanistan.
Q: Hi, how much is the reserve? And does this vehicle include vat? 20-Nov-12
A: The price will include vat but the reserve is secret fingers crossed someone in Gaza or syria will spot it ,cost millions to build should be saving lives.would love to see it as a school bus.
Q: Hi, I used to work for the uk’s biggest Foden dealer. If this did come out of Foden who were the only bespoke truck manufacturer in the country and makers of many military vehicles. The chassis will be logged on the old Foden Micro Fiche system and that will give a complete spec of the chassis, running gear, electrical system, brake system etc. I have a contact that might be able to find the spec for you. Mail me an email address and and if you send me the chassis number I will se what I can do. Dave 19-Nov-12
A: cheers your a hero i have a guy sent me pictures of my bud he says he is certain the chassis no will be 111002 and its registration although a military vehicle was civilian registered to help it blend in NOW494Y. i can only find body noSG 830 and MOD N 22B515 hope this helps my email direct is nick@tanks-alot.co.uk we are planning to wing it today and drive it to the weigh bridge. Regards Nick
Q: As an ex RCT driver who wasin Northern Ireland in the Mid 70’s I can assure you this could easily weigh 38tonnes. If I remember correctly the vehicles middle skin is Makrolon armour and the floor is double layered to prevent a road bomb. A 2.5 land rover with makrolon doubled its weight. If the bus was 8 tonnes then it would easily be 16 tonnes and treble with the glass and floor. I was a coach driver of 37 years. Good Luck with the sale 16-Nov-12
A: I think your pobably right .im planning on weighing her today so the scrap men can do the maths,in their dreams imagine what this is worth in the right country even as a school but in greece israel or syria.or even south africa
Q: Hi I see from the pictures that it looks like the bus only has 3 axles this would only allow it to be a gross weight of around 24 tons in the 70s hope this helps 16-Nov-12
A: Think your wrong its military and desighned to blen in .hence the name on the side ,No such company ever existed its the designers granson’s name
Q: hello there i am finding it hard to believe it weighs 38 tonnes …are you sure about this ? do you have the ticket from the weigh bridge ? i have bid over from what i think its worth for scrap metal … that is in my mind around 8 tonnes no more than 10 tonnes . bestest regards pete 16-Nov-12
A: This bus cost millions to build,is so special i still cant get the build sheets.the chance of it being scrapped is nil.imagine what someone would pay for it in israel or gazza strip.military regulations are not the same as civilian ,i was assured it weighed 38 ton ,im expecting the v5 from dvla very shortly ,but i may put it over the weigh bridge at a local recycling centre today. Nick
Q: Hi, I used to own buses, I don’t see how this could weigh in a 38 tons, even if it was armoured surely it wouldn’t be more that about 10 tons! On than note it doesn’t even look like the body is armoured, on the picture you’ve put up with the hole in the body work, it is clearly aluminum which would not be the metal of choice for armour plating a vehicle. I’m not trying to be a stick in the mud, and it is a lovely bus with an interesting history I’m sure, but I think you should put her on a weigh bridge before claiming she weighs 38 tons as this seems impossible to me!! I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this. Jim. 14-Nov-12
A: Im tempted to run her up the road to check,we are near a weigh bridge but the vehicle is not road registered .The bus was custom made at an obcene cost and is fully armoured with hardened steel plate everywere,when i lift the hinged aluminium front the bus looks like a ww11 halftrack its also built to withstand a gas attack.a compleatly sealed filtered enviroment.When isis delivered it on the lowloader they haul my Tanks about with he commented also on how heavy it was. One person sent me lots of information and knew the vehicle well.I will contact him for the weight ,failing that i will borrow some trade plates and let you know.If you think it will be sold for scrap ,think again a 12 seater armoured mini bus costs £250,000.This could take 45 seats.
Q: Just another bit of info, seats are german VOGEL used in van hool, berkhof, setra etc, external sidelites, indicators are mid 70s- 80 s plaxton/lucas regards Nick 13-Nov-12
A: Cheers could be useful info the back area was set out with office stuff the seats can be moved about for more leg room of if the syrian who buys it has lots of small wives he could add lots more seats .The make is handy to know.
DVLA details:-
The enquiry is complete.
The vehicle details for NOW 494Y are:
Date of Liability 01 01 2014
Date of First Registration 01 07 1983
Year of Manufacture 1983
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 12170cc
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type HEAVY OIL
Export Marker N
Vehicle Status SORN Not Due
Vehicle Colour BROWN
Vehicle Type Approval Not Available
Actual EBay UK Page for this Foden/Glover And Webb B35F Margaret Thatcher VIP Armoured Bus of 1983:-
ebay.co.uk/itm/Armoured-coac … 0976093582
Margaret Thatcher’s battle bus:-
Another article,this time with more photographs:-
uk.onlinenigeria.com/latest-addi … ction.html
And another view of this Rolls-Royce Eagle diesel-engined bus/motorcoach:-
FODEN/GLOVER AND WEBB B35F MARGARET THATCHER ARMOURED VIP BUS,OF 1983.MODEL DESIGINATION S106RM/AB…probably 
…
VALKYRIE
Took these yesterday. Just west of Blenheim. Thought they might be of interest to any Foden fans.
The only Foden i had anything to do with was a6x4 bulk tipper with i think a gardner engine but not sure as i was only a kid of 10 but was a good motor and was then sold to a farmer in wakefield,but of more intrest i think is one i see evrey day on my way to work is a D reg 8x4 which i think is 1985/86 nearly 28 year old and still earning a brilliant british motor, i will try and get a pic
I sure Kev won’t mind me posting his picture of his Foden on here !
Hope you find the attached of interest.
Photo of my Foden S80 new to Curran of Northallerton, next to E&N Ritchies Alpha at last years Masham steam rally.
Is that a Reg Knowles twin headlamp conversion fitted?
Pete.
Lawrence Dunbar:
This S 80 was a dissapointment to me, but It didnt put me off them.0
Mr Dunbar, I have just stumbled across your post.
Could you please elaborate on why you were unhappy with this particular wagon?
windrush:
Is that a Reg Knowles twin headlamp conversion fitted?Pete.
The twin headlamp set up was fitted when my father purchased the wagon in 1975 by the dealer CTS in Darlington. I was always lead to believe it was a factory conversion.
The original corner panel was used, with additional fibreglass added to provide the new holes.
I needed new headlamps some years ago as the chrome was failing, so I fitted four outer lamps. All four on dip and all four on high beam. No problem seeing in the dark!.. Causes a few issues sat MoT time though…
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
This S 80 was a dissapointment to me, but It didnt put me off them.0Mr Dunbar, I have just stumbled across your post.
Could you please elaborate on why you were unhappy with this particular wagon?
Well for a start it was heavey on fuel compared to my S36 with the Leyland 680 PP, The 220 ■■■■■■■ didn’t go well at all, Perhaps I got a bad one It does happen, Plus the cab IMO was to flat fronted & wasn’t streamline enough, for head on winds, But of course this is just my thoughts, Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
This S 80 was a dissapointment to me, but It didnt put me off them.0Mr Dunbar, I have just stumbled across your post.
Could you please elaborate on why you were unhappy with this particular wagon?Well for a start it was heavey on fuel compared to my S36 with the Leyland 680 PP, The 220 ■■■■■■■ didn’t go well at all, Perhaps I got a bad one It does happen, Plus the cab IMO was to flat fronted & wasn’t streamline enough, for head on winds, But of course this is just my thoughts, Regards Larry.
Can’t argue with you.
■■■■■■■ is thirsty, but does go well. A headwind is not good even now…
I have found the clock gauge the best method for setting the injectors, much more accurate than the torque wrench. Mind you I only run at 22 tonnes with a steam engine on. Wouldn’t fancy 32 tonnes in modern traffic…
I guess you had an 8 speed box? Did you drive it as a 12?
I am maybe wrong but I think if these Sabrina fanatics had walked into Fodens factory in the 60s and called any of their models Sabrinas they would have been chased down the street. Eddie.
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
This S 80 was a dissapointment to me, but It didnt put me off them.0Mr Dunbar, I have just stumbled across your post.
Could you please elaborate on why you were unhappy with this particular wagon?Well for a start it was heavey on fuel compared to my S36 with the Leyland 680 PP, The 220 ■■■■■■■ didn’t go well at all, Perhaps I got a bad one It does happen, Plus the cab IMO was to flat fronted & wasn’t streamline enough, for head on winds, But of course this is just my thoughts, Regards Larry.
Can’t argue with you.
■■■■■■■ is thirsty, but does go well. A headwind is not good even now…
I have found the clock gauge the best method for setting the injectors, much more accurate than the torque wrench. Mind you I only run at 22 tonnes with a steam engine on. Wouldn’t fancy 32 tonnes in modern traffic…
I guess you had an 8 speed box? Did you drive it as a 12?
Mine was the 12 speed, Regards Larry.
erfguy:
I am maybe wrong but I think if these Sabrina fanatics had walked into Fodens factory in the 60s and called any of their models Sabrinas they would have been chased down the street. Eddie.
Quite right to Eddy, Sabrina was allways the ERF, more so in the erea where I live, Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
This S 80 was a dissapointment to me, but It didnt put me off them.0Mr Dunbar, I have just stumbled across your post.
Could you please elaborate on why you were unhappy with this particular wagon?Well for a start it was heavey on fuel compared to my S36 with the Leyland 680 PP, The 220 ■■■■■■■ didn’t go well at all, Perhaps I got a bad one It does happen, Plus the cab IMO was to flat fronted & wasn’t streamline enough, for head on winds, But of course this is just my thoughts, Regards Larry.
Can’t argue with you.
■■■■■■■ is thirsty, but does go well. A headwind is not good even now…
I have found the clock gauge the best method for setting the injectors, much more accurate than the torque wrench. Mind you I only run at 22 tonnes with a steam engine on. Wouldn’t fancy 32 tonnes in modern traffic…
I guess you had an 8 speed box? Did you drive it as a 12?Mine was the 12 speed, Regards Larry.
Mine is the 8, but there are 12 in there if you know where to find them, although you cannot use them all, only 11 as low 4 is higher than direct crawler unlike the 9 speed version.
Did you have Lock Actuators?
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
This S 80 was a dissapointment to me, but It didnt put me off them.0Mr Dunbar, I have just stumbled across your post.
Could you please elaborate on why you were unhappy with this particular wagon?Well for a start it was heavey on fuel compared to my S36 with the Leyland 680 PP, The 220 ■■■■■■■ didn’t go well at all, Perhaps I got a bad one It does happen, Plus the cab IMO was to flat fronted & wasn’t streamline enough, for head on winds, But of course this is just my thoughts, Regards Larry.
Can’t argue with you.
■■■■■■■ is thirsty, but does go well. A headwind is not good even now…
I have found the clock gauge the best method for setting the injectors, much more accurate than the torque wrench. Mind you I only run at 22 tonnes with a steam engine on. Wouldn’t fancy 32 tonnes in modern traffic…
I guess you had an 8 speed box? Did you drive it as a 12?Mine was the 12 speed, Regards Larry.
Mine is the 8, but there are 12 in there if you know where to find them, although you cannot use them all, only 11 as low 4 is higher than direct crawler unlike the 9 speed version.
Did you have Lock Actuators?
Aye, they were better than the S36 with its transmission hand brake,Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
FodenS80:
Lawrence Dunbar:
This S 80 was a dissapointment to me, but It didnt put me off them.0Mr Dunbar, I have just stumbled across your post.
Could you please elaborate on why you were unhappy with this particular wagon?Well for a start it was heavey on fuel compared to my S36 with the Leyland 680 PP, The 220 ■■■■■■■ didn’t go well at all, Perhaps I got a bad one It does happen, Plus the cab IMO was to flat fronted & wasn’t streamline enough, for head on winds, But of course this is just my thoughts, Regards Larry.
Can’t argue with you.
■■■■■■■ is thirsty, but does go well. A headwind is not good even now…
I have found the clock gauge the best method for setting the injectors, much more accurate than the torque wrench. Mind you I only run at 22 tonnes with a steam engine on. Wouldn’t fancy 32 tonnes in modern traffic…
I guess you had an 8 speed box? Did you drive it as a 12?Mine was the 12 speed, Regards Larry.
Mine is the 8, but there are 12 in there if you know where to find them, although you cannot use them all, only 11 as low 4 is higher than direct crawler unlike the 9 speed version.
Did you have Lock Actuators?Aye, they were better than the S36 with its transmission hand brake,Regards Larry.
That would have been the TK Bedford you had Larry before you got promoted to a Foden,or would that be demoted to a Foden ? 
Dennis.
FodenS80:
windrush:
Is that a Reg Knowles twin headlamp conversion fitted?Pete.
The twin headlamp set up was fitted when my father purchased the wagon in 1975 by the dealer CTS in Darlington. I was always lead to believe it was a factory conversion.
The original corner panel was used, with additional fibreglass added to provide the new holes.
I needed new headlamps some years ago as the chrome was failing, so I fitted four outer lamps. All four on dip and all four on high beam. No problem seeing in the dark!.. Causes a few issues sat MoT time though…
It will either be a Knowles conversion, or somebodies panel conversion, but unlikely to be a Foden fitment. Reg developed a separate circular panel as a ‘bolt on’ extra because those large 11 inch headlamps were hopeless, he offered it to Foden but they (as normal!) ignored him and carried on as usual. Same with the Knowles gearbox he developed, fantastic but again Foden’s were not interested. One of the reasons why he later gave up with Foden and changed to selling Fiats, their people actually listened to the folk who used them and acted on it according to Reg!
Pete.
windrush:
FodenS80:
windrush:
Is that a Reg Knowles twin headlamp conversion fitted?Pete.
The twin headlamp set up was fitted when my father purchased the wagon in 1975 by the dealer CTS in Darlington. I was always lead to believe it was a factory conversion.
The original corner panel was used, with additional fibreglass added to provide the new holes.
I needed new headlamps some years ago as the chrome was failing, so I fitted four outer lamps. All four on dip and all four on high beam. No problem seeing in the dark!.. Causes a few issues sat MoT time though…It will either be a Knowles conversion, or somebodies panel conversion, but unlikely to be a Foden fitment. Reg developed a separate circular panel as a ‘bolt on’ extra because those large 11 inch headlamps were hopeless, he offered it to Foden but they (as normal!) ignored him and carried on as usual. Same with the Knowles gearbox he developed, fantastic but again Foden’s were not interested. One of the reasons why he later gave up with Foden and changed to selling Fiats, their people actually listened to the folk who used them and acted on it according to Reg!
Pete.
Everybody listened when Mrs. Knowles spoke Pete, she was very knowledgeable about anything to do with Fodens and knew part numbers off the top of her head, they also took notice of her method of credit control, if you didn’t pay your account then your name went up on the blackboard behind the counter for all the other customers to see.