Corgi OM45501 BMMO CM5T motorway coach "Midland Red"

• Fleet No: 4801
• Registration No: 801HHA
• Destination: LONDON Motorway Express
• Branding: Birmingham - London Motorway Express

The Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co. Ltd operated stage-carriage services across a vast network in the Midlands region, built up from the company's birth in 1904. Long distance coach services spanning the United Kingdom and extended tours began in the 1920's. Midland Red, as the company was better known, was unique in that between 1923 and 1970, it designed and constructed most of its own vehicles. A leader in bus design, the BMMO reached its pinnacle when it introduced the CM5T coach in 1959. This vehicle was an upgraded version of the company's latest coach and was especially designed to provide the nation's first motorway express coach service. 801 HHA (fleet number 4801), ran the Birmingham to London service the day the M1 was opened on 2nd November 1959. The onboard toilet ad leopardskin upholstery was a 'first' as were the speeds attained, which were in excess of 80mph, thanks to the use of a turbocharger