Rambler Coaches 1924-2018. The Rowland Years

This new publication by Stephen Dine charts the foundations of the company laid down by Dick Rowland in 1924, when moving to the seaside town of Hastings from Margate in Kent.  His business flourished in the 1930’s but with the onset of the Second World War, his coaches were requestioned in early 1940 and business activities would not resume again until 1946. 246 x 186mm in portrait format, softback and has 394 pages with 344 photos.

The 1950’s and 60’s were considered boom years for excursions and private hire bookings with the fleet reaching three vehicles by the mid 1960’s. Sadly in 1966 Dick passed away, although his young son Colin persuaded his mother to keep the business going and in 1974 he was joined by a new business partner, John Goodwin. The fleet and its diverse activities gradually grew and by 2010 the company had reached its largest fleet at some 41 vehicles.

Its interesting history has been told through its former owner, Colin Rowland and written by the owner of Empress Coaches, Stephen Dine, taking Colins personal memories up until his retirement and the sale of Rambler Coaches in 2018, which had justifiably built a reputation for an immaculate fleet with its green, black and cream liveried coaches being instantly recognisable not only around the UK but also when on tours into Europe.