Surprise Visit

There was a nice reunion on Wednesday the 17th of November at the Museum. We had a visit from a Mr. Ian Williamson aged 80 of Followfield, Manchester who had just experienced one of the ‘Store Tours’ guided by Chris van Schaardenburgh our Curator of Vehicles. Mr. Williamson, was employed from 1943 by his Uncle Hubert Hackett (b. 1908) who ran a the largest fleet of coaches in Manchester during the War, one of which was our very own 1948 Maudslay Marathon as seen our Commercial Gallery.

Mr Williams, who drove the bus regularly told us some fascinating stories in relation to the Maudslay. He recalls that is was purchased by the company in 1948 from Oswald Tillotson’s of Salford, but had to be recalled because of engine trouble, but this was soon put right. It was part of the fleet booked to take Manchester United fans to the FA Cup final at Wembley in 1948, and returned to Lancashire triumphant – the team beating Blackpool 4-2. Early on it had a collision with a land-mark water fountain in Cheadle Village due to unpredictable steering issues – the fountain never spouted water again. And in 1952, whilst the bus was parked up in Moss Side, it was stolen by an opportunist, but only briefly and returned safely to the fleet.

Whilst visiting Mr. Williamson also presented us with the Maudslay's original starter handle shaft, of which we very gratefully have accepted as a gift. He also very kindly assisted us with our label on the Maudslay, informing us that the all-over colour was originally post-office red, with the aluminium strips brightly polished. He also told us that our estimated top-speed of 50mph was well off the mark, and should be in excess of 75mph! He should know, he drove it!!!