A Custom Christmas Present for a Hampshire Family
At Stanford Coachworks, we believe that wheelchair accessible minibuses should be far from boring. Whether it be bold colours, exciting patterns or executive exterior features, we want our disabled clients to enjoy using each and every one of our custom-built vehicles.
The Farrugia family’s new accessible minibus is based on a L2H2 Ford Transit Custom.
Our latest wheelchair accessible minibus is a little more individual and has been designed specifically for a family in Hampshire who wanted something special for their disabled son, Jack. The Farrugia family contacted us earlier this year with a requirement for a bespoke accessible conversion, similar to a high-end car, which can provide a comfortable environment for the family to travel together in. Jack and his family love watching football and regularly support their favourite team, Portsmouth, at Fratton Park. Therefore, Jack’s new vehicle had to provide an interior space large enough to secure his specialist wheelchair along with additional passengers however, still be small enough to easily park and manoeuvre.
The Conversion
After discussing the benefits of a variety of different minibuses, the Farrugia family opted for a metallic black L2H2 Ford Transit Custom with front and rear parking sensors, an in-dash SatNav and LED lighting. Inside, the Transit features five passenger seats, one in the front and four in the rear which include removable seat fixings to create space for Jack’s wheelchair. When the Farrugia family came to visit us for their pre-build meeting, they explained to us blue was Jack’s favourite colour, so we showed him some examples of our blue diamond stitch seats, which he absolutely loved. From this, we knew that we had to make this vehicle as perfect as possible and include plenty of accents of Jack’s favourite colour. All of the seats in Jack’s new minibus, including the driver and front cab passengers, have been upholstered in a hard-wearing premium bio-leather with blue diamond stitching, piping and seatbelts.
The passenger seats in Jack’s minibus feature diamond stitching and piping in his favourite colour.
Many Monaco Features
We wanted to make Jack’s minibus as luxurious as possible for him and his family so we incorporated a number of different features from our Monaco conversions inside. This includes colour changing roof lighting, a smart television with Apple TV and a bluetooth soundbar system. To help create a social seating setting for the family, we decided to create a half-height bulkhead as opposed to a full one. This means that the driver and front cab passenger are still able to communicate with passengers n the rear, much alike an ordinary car.
Jack’s new vehicle features plenty of entertainment options including an Apple TV.
In the rear saloon we have also fitted a number of handy features including USB and USB-C charging sockets, low-level blue lighting and blue / white LED roof lighting. To keep Jack and his family comfortable whilst travelling, we have also installed rear saloon heating and air conditioning systems.
Easily Accessible
To help assist Jack in and out of his new minibus, we have fitted an internal tail lift at the rear entrance. Once inside, Jack’s family will be able to safely secure his wheelchair in place using the wheelchair clamps and upper cant rail tracking. These wheelchair clamps can then be securely stored inside of a custom-made clamp box with, of course, a matching blue cover! Jack’s family can also access the rear saloon via the side load door. Beneath this, we have installed an electric side step operated by a switch on the half-height bulkhead.
We have installed an internal tail lift to help Jack easily access his vehicle.
The Handover
At the handover, the heavens opened over Hampshire but that didn’t stop Jack, who still managed to get a good look at his new bespoke minibus, which he and his family were thrilled by. Paul Dedman, of the Stanfords sales team, spent time with Jack’s dad, Laurence, to show him all of the exciting features on their new minibus. We would like to say thank you to the Farrugia family for their custom and we were happy to hear that Jack was pleased with his new set of wheels. We hope that they enjoy plenty of adventures and trips to Portsmouth football matches in the new vehicle!
