Stanford Coachworks Newsletter:

Edition 31 - April 2023

 

In this month’s edition…

A Custom Conversion for a Charity Based in Kent

Read all about our latest custom-built minibus, specially designed to meet the requirements of our charity client.

Serving the Tour Bus Industry with Civilised Car Hire

It’s been a busy month for Stanfords and Civilised with the delivery of a huge variety of specialist production, tv and music industry vehicles.

Stanford’s Specialist Conversions: The Flat Floor & The Super Flat Floor

This month, we take a closer look at some of our specialist conversions including our Flat Floor Mercedes Sprinters and our exclusive Super Flat Floor conversions.

A Custom Conversion for a Charity Based in Kent

Looking to include some custom options in your next minibus? Our latest charity client was after a unique design for their new minibus which would meet all of their specific requirements.

Our latest Ford Transit wheelchair accessible minibus is based on the Ford Transit Jumbo (L4H3 model) and features a custom-built storage compartment in the rear saloon. To replace their minibus, the charity were looking for something bespoke that would tick all of their boxes. That’s where Stanford Coachworks come in to help!

What Will the Vehicle be Used For?

The Kent based charity specialises in supporting people who are living with Dementia or Alzheimer’s and their new minibus will be used to help transport clients to and from their day support services. Both storage and hygiene were main factors for the charity, so it was important that we designed custom compartments and included a wipe clean interior, without creating a clinical environment.

The Stanford Coachworks Conversion

  • Base Vehicle

    Stanford Coachworks conversion based on the Ford Transit Jumbo (L4H3 model).

  • Passenger Capacity

    Space for up to 11 passengers or 3 wheelchairs with seats removed.

  • Interior Design

    The passenger seating has been upholstered in wipe clean material with premium diamond stitching.

  • Passenger Saloon Entry

    Passenger entrance is via the side load door which features a large electric side step.

  • Storage

    The charity required plenty of storage so we installed custom-built lockable storage compartments.

  • Accessibility

    For wheelchair access we have installed an underfloor tail lift at the rear of the vehicle.

We are so pleased to have been given the opportunity to provide this charity with a minibus that meets all of their requirements. We hope that their new Ford Transit conversion helps support their day services and that the charity’s clients enjoy using their new minibus!

For the full specification and to find out more about this vehicle, head over to the Stanford Coachworks news page below.

Serving the Touring Industry with Civilised Car Hire

This month the Stanford Coachworks team have been working hard to convert numerous tour buses, production vehicles and professional caravelles for our long-term clients Civilised Car Hire.

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Civilised Car Hire are the industry leading splitter van and tour bus rental company for both the UK and European markets. Due to their well-trusted service and extensive industry knowledge, those based in the media industry are highly likely to have encountered one of Civilised’s bespoke conversions over the years! Stanford Coachworks have been working closely with Civilised for well over a decade now and we have taken on board feedback from many bands about their specific touring requirements to help keep their fleet looking top class.

Civilised latest editions…

Throughout April we converted a variety of Mercedes Sprinters, Volkswagen Crafters and Volkswagen Transporter T6s which all feature Civilised’s signature colourful interiors, designed to compliment the exterior decals. With every new conversion, comes new technology so to keep Civilised’s vehicles state of the art, we include a selection of the latest gadgets! The 2023 designs include a wireless charging station, the latest generation Apple TV, upgraded bluetooth sound system, on-board Wi-Fi and more.

  • Based on the Volkswagen Crafter L3H2

  • Production vehicle design

  • Can facilitate up to 8 passengers plus driver

  • Conference style seating configuration in passenger cabin

  • Full dressing room with fold-out LED illuminated makeup table in the rear cabin

  • Apple TV, bluetooth sound system, wireless charging station, WiFi, premium interior, LED illuminated dressing table with 240V power.

Volkswagen Crafter Production Vehicles

  • Based on the Mercedes Sprinter 315 L2H2

  • Tour bus design

  • Can facilitate up to 8 passengers plus driver

  • Forward facing seating configuration in passenger cabin

  • Large rear boot area for production equipment

  • Apple TV, bluetooth sound system, wireless charging station, WiFi, premium bio-leather seating with signature colourful stitching and piping.

Mercedes Sprinter Tour Buses

  • Based on the Volkswagen Transporter T6

  • Professional caravelle design

  • Can facilitate up to 6 passengers plus driver

  • Conference style seating configuration in passenger cabin

  • Premium diamond stitched seating design, LED blue / white lighting, fold-away centre table, USB and USB-c charging sockets.

Volkswagen T6 Caravelle

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Specialist Wheelchair Accessible Conversion - The Flat and Super Flat Floor Mercedes Sprinter

At Stanford Coachworks we pride ourselves on designing high-quality bespoke conversions to meet our customer’s requirements. We offer two specialist wheelchair accessible conversions, one of which is exclusive to Stanford Coachworks, on the Mercedes Sprinter. These conversions have been designed and tested by our highly-skilled coachbuilding teams to maximise passenger space in the rear saloon.

The Mercedes Sprinter Flat Floor conversion
The Mercedes Sprinter Super Flat Floor conversion

Flat Floor Conversions

With our L3 and L4 Mercedes Sprinter conversions, we offer a specialist Flat Floor design which has been created to eliminate all wheel arch intrusions in the passenger saloon. The elimination of these wheel arch intrusions allows for unrestricted passenger seat and wheelchair positions, resulting in maximum passenger capacity.

Customers are given plenty of options to choose from when it comes to our specialist Flat Floor conversions, take a look below.

  • Variety of internal or external tail lifts (speak to the SCW team if you’re not sure what works best for you).

  • Front cut in set entry or side load door passenger entry options.

  • Numerous seating configurations (subject to the vehicle’s layout).

  • Colourful interior designs (both wipe clean and moquette materials available - ask about our premium seating!).

  • Variety of manual, electric and fold-out side steps available.

  • Independent passenger saloon heating and air conditioning.

Super Flat Floor Conversions

We also offer a specialist conversion on the L4H3 Mercedes Sprinter, exclusive to Stanford Coachworks, that is again designed to maximise passenger space in the rear saloon. All wheel arch intrusions are also eliminated in the Super Flat Floor conversion however an additional feature is also included.

When designing the Super Flat Floor, we took on board an array of client feedback which gave us the idea to install a tail lift somewhere a little different. To protect the tail lift from damage and corrosion, we instead install it between the original vehicle floor and the Super Flat Floor. This encased position shields the tail lift from poor road conditions, therefore reducing maintenance costs.

Our Super Flat Floor conversions also provide plenty of options to choose from including the below.

  • Front cut in set entry or side load door passenger entry options.

  • Numerous seating configurations (subject to the vehicle’s layout).

  • Colourful interior designs (both wipe clean and moquette materials available - ask about our premium seating!).

  • Variety of manual or electric side steps that can be fitted below the side load door.

  • Independent passenger saloon heating and air conditioning.

With safety being a priority at Stanford Coachworks, all of our Flat Floor conversions are built and fully tested to meet strict National Small Series Type Approval regulations.

If you are interested or would like to find out more about about our specialist wheelchair accessible conversions, contact us today on 01375 676088.

You can also take a look at some of our recent conversions by clicking here to view our gallery.

 

Want to find out more about what we get up to at Stanford Coachworks?

Head over to the SCW Newsletters page to read all editions today.