Colour Prestige 4 Coaching Reflections

Although this fascinating book, the latest in Venture's Colour Prestige Series, touches on the British coaching scene over most of the period following the Second World War, its main thrust is the battles that were fought by the 'lightweights' such as Bedford and Ford against the 'heavyweight' Leylands and AECs and then by British manufacturers generally against the onslaught from foreign names such as Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and DAF. That by itself would have been rather dry, and the author enlivens the story with anecdotes from his time working in the industry, both in traffic management and in the driver's seat. 'Coaching' could encompass everything from use on stage-carriage routes to prestige private hire and touring assignments to exotic places, and the story is told by means of a lively introductory text and extended captions, accompanied by a fine selection of pictures, many taken by GHF Atkins and the late Geoff Coxon, in each case a guarantee of excellence.