1960s luxury touring coaches | Southcoast Motor Services

Delightful touring coaches

28 luxurious armchair seats. 1961 & 1963

Built by Harrington of Hove and delivered new to Southdown of Sussex in the early 1960s, fleet numbers 1722 and 1749 were used on exclusive luxury tours throughout Britain and the Continent.

Each is fitted with 28 sumptuous, well spaced reclining armchair seats, making them just right for smaller groups and wedding parties requiring a touch of old-fashioned luxury.

Coaches

Built in 1961, coach 1722 has a more traditional feel, reminiscent of the late 1950s. Seats are covered in an authentic rose motif material with brown with cream trim. The vehicle is fitted with a distinctive curved-glass roof, letting light flood in.

Coach seats

Coach 1749 dates from 1963 and each of the 28 individual seats features a contemporary peppermint-green trim. An innovative passenger ventilation system is fitted and large 'panoramic' picture windows give unparalleled views of the passing countryside.

Coach seats

Coaches

The interior layout of each coach is identical. Seats are arranged in a 2+1 configuration - on entering the coach, a column of comfortable double-armchair seats is arranged to the left-hand side and single-armchair seats to the right.

Both coaches are fitted with air assisted suspension, revolutionary for the period, giving a particularly comfortable ride. Side lockers and a rear boot provide additional space - ideal for luggage or picnics.

Pictures of the coaches

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Coach seating plan

Accessibility

A guide to using the vehicles

Our vehicles were built in the 1960s and as such were not designed and are not equipped to carry some mobility impaired people. We will do our very best to assist where we can and provide here a guide to indicate how accessible each of our vehicle types are.

Coaches

The entrance is 600mm wide and there are polished steel handrails to the left and right. From flat ground without a kerb there is a 400mm climb to the lower platform. To assist, a portable step is available from the driver.

Once on the lower platform, there are 2 further steps of 295mm to the slightly inclined floor. Steps are silver with green treads providing some contrast.

Seats are not fitted with handrails but do have low head rests which are of some help to hold on to. Between the seats there is a minimum aisle width of 355mm.

Double-deck buses

The entrance is divided by a central polished steel handrail giving a width of 520mm either side. From flat ground without a kerb there is a 330mm climb to the lower step. However, this is reduced where there is a roadside kerb.

Once on the lower step, there are 2 further steps of 200mm to the level lower deck floor. Steps are green with black nosing providing some contrast.

Seats have polished steel handrails attached to the tops and vertical poles are fitted where necessary. Between the seats there is a minimum aisle width of 400mm.

Access to the top deck of buses

Access to the top deck is via a fairly steep staircase which turns through 180 degrees. There are 7 steps, each up to 280mm deep. Silver handrails are fitted both sides.

The staircase on our open-top bus is partly exposed to the elements. Extra care should be taken when using this vehicle as steps and surfaces may become slippery in damp or wet weather.

Emergency exits

Additional exits are located at the rear of all vehicles for use in an emergency. Such exits are standard to buses and coaches in the UK and may involve a drop. Please make yourself familiar with the emergency exits when first joining the vehicle and be aware that others may need assistance when using them. It might not always be possible for the driver to assist.

Walking frame and wheelchair users

Either one walking frame or one folded self-propelled wheelchair can be accommodated on-board each of our vehicles (they cannot be battery operated). The walking frame or folded wheelchair must be placed in the boot of coaches or under the staircase in buses. They may not be left in gangways, block entrances/exits or placed in such a position likely to hinder evacuation of the vehicle in an emergency.

Unfortunately, it is not possible for users to remain seated whilst the wheelchair is loaded onto the vehicle. Please also bear in mind that there are no lifts or ramps fitted to any vehicle, so the assistance of others may be required when boarding or alighting.