Enthusiasts
The British bus and coach industry has had a fascinating history. There are many enthusiasts and students interested in this history. Some of these enthusiasts know more about our operations than we do ! We recognise that there is a lot of interest in the Hookways operations and that we have contributed to this rich history with a fascinating variety of vehicles in the constituent fleets over the years. We have therefore put together an Enthusiast section for those interested in the development of the company. We have included a photo gallery showing past vehicles in our fleet and also a news section giving more details about developments that have taken place with the fleet over the years.
This section is growing as we acquire more archive material about the company. We welcome contributions from anyone who has any interesting items or comments to make. Do please let us know if you have an interesting story to tell about our operations or if you have something you’d like to share with other fans of the Hookways operation. We are always delighted to receive photos of our vehicles over the years and will be pleased to add these to the site for others to see.
From time to time we may also organise special events which might be of interest to transport enthusiasts so do visit every now and then to see what’s new.
Scroll and Click the images below to see a brief summary of the vehicle
HWU86N
Model: Bristol LH
Body: Plaxton
Hookways operated a more extensive network of local bus services prior to de-regulation of the British bus industry and the government’s new money for rural bus services. This vehicle is operating one such service and is seen while laying-over at Bideford, Pill.
D275 MCV
Model: Volvo B10M
Body: Plaxton
In March 1998 the remaining part of the business of W.J.O.Jennings of Bude was acquired by Hookways. The well known orange and white livery was replaced by the Hookways colours, but the Bude depot still trades under the Jennings name. Most of the vehicles were also acquired with the business including this smart Volvo/Plaxton seen in Plymouth in the original livery.
NPC453
Model: Seddon
NPC453 was an unusual little Seddon in the fleet of W.J.O.Jennings. Oldham based manufacturer Seddon were much better known for their lorries in the UK, but did build many buses and coaches, although more went for export than for home sale. Jennings had a liking for the marque and many years after this little vehicle was withdrawn three Seddon Pennine’s joined the fleet with the advent of the bus grant scheme in the 1970’s.
NMU554E
Model: Bedford VAM14
Body: Duple Viceroy 41 seat
NMU554E was one of a batch which started life with famous London operator Grey Green, who were often themselves seen in the West Country on express services.
HCP251G
Model: Bedford VAL
Body: Plaxton Panorama
Seen parked in the Meeth depot yard is HCP251G. This was a three axle Bedford VAL fitted with Plaxton Panorama bodywork.
LYU542P
Model: Bedford YMT
Body: 49 seat Willowbrook 008 (Spacecar)
LYU542P only stayed in the fleet for a short time. It was a 49 seat Willowbrook 008 (Spacecar) bodied Bedford YMT that had been in the National Travel (South East) fleet. Seen here parked in the Meeth depot yard.
LTU768T
Model: Volvo B58
Body: Duple Dominant II
A popular Volvo B58 in the fleet was LTU768T. It carried Duple Dominant II bodywork and is seen here on the forecourt of the New Inn at Meeth (now the Bull and Dragon).
DFJ324T
Model: Bedford
Body: Unicar
This Unicar bodied Bedford, DFJ324T, did quite a bit of work for the company.
UJY672V (left) & WTA328S (right)
Model: Salvador Caetano
Portuguese built Salvador Caetano coachwork has featured in the Hookways fleet since the 1970’s. Here two of the earlier examples in the fleet are seen side by side while on tour in Germany.
YNW33X
Model: Leyland Leopard
Body: Plaxton Supreme 51 seat
YNW33X is a vehicle which started life in 1982 in the Greenslades fleet, was later sold, but returned in 1993. It is a Leyland Leopard fitted with Plaxton Supreme 51 seat bodywork. Seen here in earlier colours at the Pinhoe depot, the vehicle has since been repainted. The vehicle is usually out stationed at Crediton for use on a contract there.
DLX31Y (7105HP)
Model: Scania K112
Body: Jonkheere Deauville P50 49 seat
DLX31Y was one of two Scania K112’s in the Hookways fleet Jonkheere Deauville P50 49 seat bodywork which had been new to Derek Randall of North Acton. This one came to the fleet in 1986 and was later re-registered 7105HP.
DLX31Y (7105HP) & MIA814
Model: Scania K112 & Mercedes Benz 0302
Demonstrating some of the conditions experienced by Hookways vehicles while on tour are Scania K112 7105HP (previously DLX31Y) and Mercedes Benz 0302 MIA814.
WTX458
Model: Volvo B58
Body: Duple Dominant
WTX458 was a Volvo B58 with Duple Dominant bodywork adapted to carry wheelchairs.
D510WNV
Model: Iveco (Fiat) 79-14
Body:19 seat Caetano Viana
Demonstrating the need for vehicles with special dimensions for some of the roads across Dartmoor and Exmoor is 19 seat Caetano Viana bodied Iveco (Fiat) 79-14. This vehicle joined the fleet in 1989 having been new to London operator Berryhurst.
F337CHE
Model: Volvo B10M-61
Body: Ikarus Blue Danube 49 seat
Hungarian built Ikarus Blue Danube 49 seat bodywork was fitted to F337CHE a Volvo B10M-61. This was one of two that came to the fleet in 1994 from Thames Transit. It had operated the “Oxford Tube” express service between London and Oxford here, but as can be seen from this photo, found its way to altogether far more exotic locations with Hookways !
7346HP
Model: Leyland Royal Tiger B50
Body: 49 seat Plaxton Paramount 3500
The private plate 7346HP was at one point attached to this 49 seat Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodied Leyland Royal Tiger B50. More usually the rear engined Royal Tiger was fitted with Roe Doyen bodywork. This example entered the fleet in 1994 and worked for Greenslades. It is seen here parked at Plymouth’s Bretonside bus and coach station.
XRP763W
Model: Volvo B58-61
Body: Jonkheere Bermuda 49 seat
XRP763W was a Volvo B58-61 fitted with Jonkheere Bermuda 49 seat bodywork. It arrived in the fleet in 1983 when two years old and was a very popular vehicle. It is seen here while on a continental tour.
AFJ739T
Model: Bristol LH
Body: Plaxton Supreme
This is our Exeter Depot Manager's preserved Plaxton Supreme bodied Bristol LH (AFJ739T). It was 3319 in the old Greenslades fleet when under National Bus Company ownership. The vehicle has been restored to the pre-privatisation "stripey" livery. The vehicle is one of a batch built to a width of 7ft 6in and length of 33ft specially to operate tours and excursions on Exmoor and Dartmoor.
