Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
In Essex, Wesley Tierney holds tightly to his collection of 23 vintage buses, despite the pressure to sell them. Ever since he was 10 years old and accompanied his father, who drove a Leland Lynx in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Tierney has been captivated by buses. His deep-rooted passion led him to purchase the exact bus his father once operated from a private collector in Newcastle. Now, at 34 years old, Tierney has painstakingly restored it to match its former glory from his childhood days. His estimated value of approximately £200,000 for the collection has done little to sway him, even amidst the pleas from his wife, Laura Tierney, 31, to sell them.
The couple, who reside in Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex, and have been married for a decade, showcased six buses during their wedding in June 2024. When Tierney took his buses out for a spin, his wife happily assumed the role of a conductor, complete with a full uniform and a ticket machine hanging around her neck. While Laura’s support is unwavering, she remains hopeful that the sale of the buses can fund an extension and a kitchen renovation in their home. Despite her eagerness for him to part ways with the collection, Tierney remains steadfast in his dedication to preserving the vintage vehicles.
Tierney’s interest mainly lies in buses from the 1930s and 1940s, with his oldest model dating back to 1929. Salvaged from scrap heaps and requiring extensive restoration work, Tierney views himself as the guardian of these historical artifacts. His fascination with pre-World War II buses stems from their unique character, allowing him to transport himself back in time when cruising along quiet country lanes. The collection, spanning different farms in Hertfordshire, has served as a means for Tierney to take friends on memorable trips and to showcase the charm of vintage buses, particularly during nighttime excursions through the bustling streets of London.
Recreating his father’s childhood bus set Tierney back £7,000, but the sentimental value far outweighs the cost. Embarking on journeys across the country, Tierney delights in witnessing the vibrancy of his buses, especially when adorned with glowing bulbs in the evenings. As the life of the party, owning a bus brings an unparalleled sense of excitement and nostalgia, making Tierney’s decision to hold onto his cherished collection all the more understandable
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.