Figure 1.--Here we see a British charabanc on a Nunney excursion. We would guess that the photograph was taken about 1925. Notice that everyone is wearing coats. It was clearly not a warm summer day. This may look like a large vehicle, but we note longer ones.

A charabanc or "char-à-banc" which the British began calling a 'sharra-bang' began as a type of horse-drawn sporting vehicle in France (1840s). Char à bancs translates as 'carriage with wooden benches'. This of course was a good description of the conveyence/vehicle. It was a popular way of transporting a group of people together to a sporting event or hunting party. With the development of motorized vehicles, the British produced it as an early motor coach largek=ly for excursions (1920s). It was an open-topped vehicle which was common before the modern coach or bus became standard. It was esentially an existing horse-drawn vehicle which was updated by just adding a motor. We have noticed a few in movies, including the BBC film 'All the King's Men' as well as 'Cider with Rosy'. In each of these the village church organised a day at the seaside and the congregation went there by charabanc. Given how often it rains in Britain, that seems like a throughly sensible innovation. Actually we are mistified having traveled quite a bit in Britain, I would want a top because rainy whether is more common there than in America. We wonder how much money was saved by not putting on the top. Of course there was one advantage. Everyoe had great views as they were motoring though the counrside. Which is why it was most commonly used for sight-seeing excursions or work-place outings to the countryside or beaches. Many businesses would organize annual outings for their workers. It should be understood that for the most part the people involved here were modest income day trippers or workers. Notice that they are family groups. They did not have a lot of money nor were roadside facilities commonly available as is the case today--no sparking clean McDonalds at major interesections. Nor were existing inns and pubs often all that intersted in accomdating these people. The day trippers, largely consisting of family groups and they were not big spenders. They were usually more interested in a hot cup of tea than a cool pint. And many brought sandwiches and snacks with them so they would not have to pay for meals. You would think that this would the idel platform for football hooliganism, but the British were a little more civilized for that in the 1920s. The vehicles disappeared as soon as they appeared. We seen few operating after the 1920s. The word has even been deleted from modern dictionaries. A British reader tells us, "Most places in the U.K. are not too far from the sea or the countryside and these were hired for special occasions. Businesses often did this or individuals would take advantage of three-day holidays like Whit weekend. Charabanc travel was often for day tours. a factory might have a work's outing and this type of vehicle would be hired. Many of the small companies became the coach companies of present day bus tour operatives. These vehicles evolve into the motor coaches of today. They were oI saw pen top vehicles, but often came with a side window frame and a convertible cover for inclimate weather. A charabanc in 1949 looked like a coach but it has a covered room. My gran used to refer to a coach excursion, 'I've booked a Shara.' of course short for a charabanc. Modern Greenline buses developed from a family business operating charabanc excursions". charabancs rapidly disappeared after the 1920s as more luxurious modern busses/coachhes (with tops) appeared. There is talk of charabancs in the 1950s but we can not confirm that. Seems there is an authentic charabanc operated in the Midlands while there are authentic reproductions at seaside towns and social museums that create history towns from buildings salvaged from demolition sites. The Black Country Museum is such a museum.

Origins

A charabanc or "char-à-banc" which the British began calling a 'sharra-bang' began as a type of horse-drawn sporting vehicle in France (1840s). Char à bancs translates as 'carriage with wooden benches'. This of course was a good description of the conveyence/vehicle. It was a popular way of transporting a group of people together to a sporting event or hunting party. They continued to horse drawn into the 20th century. We have not found many photographs of the the horse-drawn charabancs, but note one in use for tourists in the English Lake District during 1914. Tucks and busses were still a rarity in Britain and Europe in general.

Motorization (1920s)

It was esentially an existing horse-drawn vehicle which was updated by just adding a motor. With the development of motorized vehicles, the British produced it as an early motor coach largely for low-cost excursions (1920s). It was an open-topped vehicle which was common before the modern coach or bus became standard. This occurred mostly after World War I. Motorized trucks and busses wre not very commin in Europe before World War I. They were in America, but not Europe. Unlike World War II, American industry had a limited impact on the War. Yje primary American industrial contribution to the War was trucks and motors. And after the War we see motorized vehicles begining to replace horse power in Europe. We have noticed a few charabancs in movies, including the BBC film 'All the King's Men' as well as 'Cider with Rosy'. In each of these the village church organised a day at the seaside and the congregation went there by charabanc. Given how often it rains in Britain, that seems like a throughly sensible innovation. Actually we are mistified having traveled quite a bit in Britain, I would want a top because rainy whether is more common there than in America. We wonder how much money was saved by not putting on the top. Of course there was one advantage. Everyoe had great views as they were motoring though the counrside. Which is why it was most commonly used for sight-seeing excursions or work-place outings to the countryside or beaches. Many businesses would organize annual outings for their workers.

Modest Income Day Trippers

It should be understood that for the most part the people involved here were modest income day trippers or workers. Notice that they are family groups. They did not have a lot of money nor were roadside facilities commonly available as is the case today--no sparking clean McDonalds at major interesections. Nor were existing inns and pubs often all that intersted in accomdating these people. The day trippers, largely consisting of family groups and they were not big spenders. They were usually more interested in a hot cup of tea than a cool pint. And many brought sandwiches and snacks with them so they would not have to pay for meals. You would think that this would the idel platform for football hooliganism, but the British were a little more civilized for that in the 1920s.

1920s Hayday

The vehicles disappeared as soon as they appeared. We seen few operating after the 1920s. The word has even been deleted from modern dictionaries. A British reader tells us, "Most places in the U.K. are not too far from the sea or the countryside and these were hired for special occasions. Businesses often did this or individuals would take advantage of three-day holidays like Whit weekend. Charabanc travel was often for day tours. a factory might have a work's outing and this type of vehicle would be hired. Many of the small companies became the coach companies of present day bus tour operatives.

Modern Motor Coaches

These vehicles evolve into the motor coaches of today. They were oI saw pen top vehicles, but often came with a side window frame and a convertible cover for inclimate weather. A charabanc in 1949 looked like a coach but it has a covered room. My gran used to refer to a coach excursion, 'I've booked a Shara.' of course short for a charabanc. Modern Greenline buses developed from a family business operating charabanc excursions". charabancs rapidly disappeared after the 1920s as more luxurious modern busses/coachhes (with tops) appeared. There is talk of charabancs in the 1950s but we can not confirm that. Seems there is an authentic charabanc operated in the Midlands while there are authentic reproductions at seaside towns and social museums that create history towns from buildings salvaged from demolition sites. The Black Country Museum is such a museum.

Sources

"Charabancs: A grand day out," Visit Nunney website.

Created: June 28, 2003
Last updated: 1:12 PM 2/22/2018