Between 1919 and 1989, Duple Coachbuilders have been associated with the majority of the great names in British coach and bus designs, working with equally well-known UK chassis producers to bring a wide range of public transport vehicles to our roads. Duple Bodies & Motors was formed in 1919 by Herbert White in Hornsey, London. Before World War I he had briefly built cars under the Bifort name down in Hampshire. He developed the name Duple following an idea he had in which the name was intended to convey the principle of a single vehicle being suitable for a dual role. The type had enormous appeal to small business owners in particular who had a working van/private vehicle by merely removing the decking at the rear of the car and fitting a van top.
The 1950s saw stiff competition for bodybuilders and together with workers’ strikes Duple suffered quite badly and moved from London to Leicestershire, namely Kegworth and then Loughborough at which point the business was renamed Duple Motor Bodies (Midland) Ltd. Competitors kept the company on its toes and new designs were introduced to combat its rivals. Company acquisitions were also made including Burlingham of Blackpool. In 1961 the permitted length for coaches was increased to 36ft with a maximum width of 8ft 2½in, which meant larger vehicles to be produced. In 1964, Duple launched the Commander, built initially at the Hendon works but subsequently in the Blackpool factory.
In a favourite livery of Southdown with its signature two-tone dark and light green colour scheme with black and gold dropped shadow lettering, heading for Devon and Cornwall. External trim is finished in silver. Our model is registered HCD 385E from 1967. The interior features a beige floor, green seating and grey fittings. The new tooling on the Duple Commander allows for variations to front and rear wheels, additional roof windows and vents and various front grille options.