Welcome to the Flxible Clipper Club of Australia Inc
The Ansair Flxible Clipper is a widely recognised and well remembered touring coach.
Built in Melbourne by Ansair Pty Ltd under licence from the Flxible Company in the USA, they were used Australia-wide as touring and express coaches during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, by Pioneer and other operators.
The inaugural meeting of what became the Flxible Clipper Club of Australia Inc, was held on 5th October 1983 with nine people connected by a common interest in owning and driving Ansair Flxible Clippers.
When first formed, the theme was the Clipper’s mechanical components and how to fix them. The members were also trying to find a way to prevent the bodies from rusting. That hasn’t changed and we are all still trying!
Gradually, interest was shown from other people who weren’t necessarily owners – just would be owners who liked the opportunity to travel on them and be around them whenever possible – hence the annual runs that involve whole families. The men still go into huddles and talk about Clippers, etc. After all, men will be boys – but with bigger toys!
Over the years, information from a number of sources has located over 100 of the 131 Clippers built in Melbourne between 1950 and 1960. Club members own collectively 50 Clippers, of which nearly one half may be undergoing restoration, or spare parts vehicles. There are approximately 28 Clippers currently up and running around Australia, and we have members and vehicles in all States and Territories.
Although the club was originally formed by Flxible owning enthusiasts, a number of owners with later vehicles of the type owned and operated by Pioneer have since joined. These include the Ansair built Scenicruiser & Transett and the fully imported General Motors built coaches – the luxury PD4106’s and PD4107’s (Jumbos). & coaches like the MCI, Eagle and Denning.
Our membership is open to anyone with an interest in touring coaches generally, whether they own one or not!
The Club wishes to thank Maris Sloan, Ian Cooper, John Thoroughgood, the late Bill Hardinge and the many Club Members who together have provided photos, articles, documents and videos for our website.