SCT'61 Plaxton Body Styles 1961 to 1975 - Heavyweights
Plaxton built bodies in 'seasons' and these ran from September to August to fit in with the introduction of a factory shutdown holiday in the last two weeks of August each year. New styles were generally introduced in time for the start of the new season's construction, particularly in those years when a Commercial Motor Show was held.
Model names had been introduced with the exhibits at the 1950 Commercial Motor Show, bodies having been known previously by a letter/number combination. In the period covered by this gallery the model names used were Elite, Embassy and Panorama together with the Highway and Derwent bus models.
It details the coach bodies, season by season, for 30 foot (10 metre) chassis first, then the 36 foot (11 metre) versions followed by the 39 foot (12 metre) models. The Embassy models are shown before the Panorama ones in each season. After these are the Express versions and finally the bus bodies.
This gallery deals with those chassis which were generally considered to be 'heavyweight' and a table of the body styles built on each chassis type is presented at the end of the gallery.
For the 'lightweight' models please see the separate gallery.
Embassy 30'
EMBASSY (30'/10m). This was a replacement for the Consort IV body and was introduced for the 1961 season, built on A.E.C. Reliance, BMMO CL2 and Leyland Leopard chassis. The multiple side windows with top sliders for ventilation were inclined rather than vertical as on the earlier Consort range and the oval grille was replaced by a flatter one lower down. The centre entrance version, as seen here, was chosen by a number of operators, with only three choosing front entrance models.
EMBASSY (30'/10m). This was a replacement for the Consort IV body and was introduced for the 1961 and 1962 seasons, built in front entrance form on A.E.C. Reliance for only three operators. The multiple side windows with top sliders for ventilation were inclined rather than vertical as on the earlier Consort range and the oval grille was replaced by a flatter lower level one.
EMBASSY (30'/10m) For the 1963 and 1964 seasons this was basically a Panorama body following the basic design of the previous season's model but the waistline was now straight and it was fitted with top sliding windows for ventilation instead of fixed windows and forced ventilation. It was built, in centre entrance form only, on A.E.C. Reliance chassis for Gillard, Normanton and Wallace Arnold, Leeds.
EMBASSY (30'/10m) For the 1963 and 1964 seasons this was basically a Panorama body following the basic design of the previous season's model but the waistline was now straight and it was fitted with top sliding windows for ventilation instead of fixed windows and forced ventilation. It was built, in centre entrance form only, on A.E.C. Reliance chassis for Gillard, Normanton and Wallace Arnold, Leeds.
The interior view shows that when fitted with glazed cant panels the standard solid luggage racks were replaced by aluminium framed ones with nets to hold the luggage.
EMBASSY (30'/10m) For the 1965 and 1966 seasons this was basically a Panorama body but was fitted with top sliding windows for ventilation instead of fixed windows and forced ventilation. The side windows were divided by a thicker vertical pillar after the first main side window. The polished trim was fitted as standard below the windscreen and the first main side window. It was built, in centre entrance form only, on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis for Wallace Arnold, Devon;Wallace Arnold, Leeds and their subsidiary Feather Bros., Bradford.
Panorama 30'
PANORAMA (30'/10m) For the 1961 and 1962 seasons the Panorama body built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Tiger Cub and Leopard chassis had lost the 'kick-up' at the rear of the body to suit the rear screen of the previous model.. There was a slightly falling waistline and three large fixed windows. and a smaller one which incorporated the offside emergency exit.
PANORAMA (30'/10m) For the 1963 and 1964 seasons the Panorama body built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Royal Tiger, Tiger Cub and Leopard chassis followed the basic design of the previous season's model but the waistline was now straight and the three large fixed windows. were followed by two smaller ones, the first of which incorporated the offside emergency exit.
PANORAMA (30'/10m) For the 1963 and 1964 seasons the Panorama body built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Tiger Cub and Leopard chassis followed the basic design of the previous season's model but the waistline was now straight and the three large fixed windows. were followed by two smaller ones, the first of which incorporated the offside emergency exit.
PANORAMA (30'/10m) The 1965 and 1966 season body for heavyweight chassis with fixed windows and forced ventilation continued to be named Panorama and introduced the inward pivoting passenger door. The body had either the shallow side moulding as here or the deeper moulding from the previous season. The side windows were divided by a thicker vertical pillar after the first main side window. The polished trim was fitted as standard below the windscreen and the first main side window. It was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard, Tiger Cub and Royal Tiger chassis. Some were built in centre entrance form for Glenton Tours, London S.E.14 and for Essex County Coaches, London E.15. This particular example had the trim below the screen reduced to half the normal height and other modifications to the trim and seating at the operator's request.
PANORAMA (30'/10m) The Panorama body for the 1965 and 1966 seasons had fixed windows and forced ventilation and was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard, Royal Tiger and Tiger Cub chassis. The body had either the shallow side moulding as here or the deeper moulding from the previous season. The side windows were divided by a thicker vertical pillar after the first main side window. There was polished trim beneath the windscreen and the first main side window and the body had the inward pivoting door. Normally having a front entrance it was available also with a centre entrance, ordered by Glenton, London S.E.14, as seen here, and by Essex County Coaches, London E.15.
PANORAMA (30'/10m) The Panorama body for the 1965 and 1966 seasons had fixed windows and forced ventilation and was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard, Royal Tiger and Tiger Cub chassis. The body had either the deep side moulding as here or a shallower moulding introduced from this season. The side windows were divided by a thicker vertical pillar after the first main side window. There was polished trim beneath the windscreen and the first main side window and the body had the inward pivoting door.
Panorama I and II 30'
PANORAMA I (30'/10m) 1967 saw the introduction of the Panorama I body for the 1967 and 1968 seasons. This had three large fixed side windows with forced ventilation and was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard, Tiger Cub and Worldmaster chassis. The shallow side moulding extended from just below the top of the wheelarch to mid axle level. The side windows were divided by a thicker vertical pillar after the first main side window. There was polished trim beneath the windscreen and the first main side window and the body had the inward pivoting door. There was often the optional kerb viewing window in the door. In this photograph, taken from a higher viewpoint than usual, the nearside roof inlet for the air for the forced-air ventilation provided by the individual outlets on the underside of the luggage racks can be seen as well as all three of the three-way lifting roof-lights fully open.
PANORAMA I (30'/10m) 1967 saw the introduction of the Panorama I body for the 1967 and 1968 seasons. This had three large fixed side windows with forced ventilation and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, and Leyland Leopard, Tiger Cub and Worldmaster chassis. The shallow side moulding extended from just below the top of the wheelarch to mid axle level. The side windows were divided by a thicker vertical pillar after the first main side window. There was polished trim beneath the windscreen and the first main side window. Normally having a front entrance with the inward pivoting door,it was available also with a centre entrance,with a sliding door,as in this example for Glenton.
PANORAMA II (30'/10m) 1967 saw the introduction of the Panorama II body for the 1967 and 1968 seasons. This had three large fixed side windows with top sliding windows for ventilation and two examples were built on A.E.C. Reliance (XEV187F) and Leyland Tiger Cub (PVO624) chassis. The shallow side moulding extended from just below the top of the wheelarch to mid axle level. The side windows were not divided by a thicker vertical pillar after the first main side window as were those of the Panorama I. There was no polished trim beneath the windscreen and the first main side window. The body had the inward pivoting door. Some Panorama I bodies were fitted with top sliding windows for ventilation - JKO671-673E.
Panorama Elite 30'
PANORAMA ELITE (30'/10m) The Panorama Elite was available for the 1969 and 1970 seasons and was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis This introduced the curved side windows and a double side trim strip which ran above the wheelarches and met the front grille on the curve of the top corner. The body style was denoted in the space at the rear where the upper trim strip raised up. Fixed windows with forced ventilation were standard
PANORAMA ELITE II (30'/10m) The Panorama Elite II was introduced for the 1971 and 1972 seasons and was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis and continued the curved side windows of the Panorama Elite but had a revised squarer grille with the double side trim strip meeting the grille on the top corner and also having a space at the rear of the trim strips where they separated to carry the body style.
PANORAMA ELITE II (30'/10m) The Panorama Elite II was introduced for the 1971 and 1972 seasons built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard, Tiger Cub and Worldmaster chassis and continued the curved side windows of the Panorama Elite but had a revised squarer grille with the double side trim strip meeting the grille on the top corner and also having a space at the rear of the trim strips where they separated to carry the body style. Fixed windows with forced ventilation were standard. Glenton specified centre entrances for their deliveries
PANORAMA ELITE & ELITE II(30'/10m) This view shows the arrangement of the rear lighting which was used on the Panorama Elite and the Panorama Elite II models, from the 1969 season to the 1972 season,with two circular lighting panels one above the other.
PANORAMA ELITE III (30'/10m) The Panorama Elite III was available for the 1973, 1974 and 1975 seasons and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, and Leyland Leopard chassis and continued the curved side windows of the Panorama Elite II but had the double side trim strips separated by about four inches with the style name caried between them, normally at the front.
PANORAMA ELITE III(30'/10m) The Panorama Elite III was available for the 1973, 1974 and 1975 seasons and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, and Leyland Leopard chassis and continued the curved side windows of the Panorama Elite II but had the double side trim strips separated by about four inches with the style name caried between them, normally at the front. Glenton specified centre entrances for their deliveries
Embassy 36'
EMBASSY (36'/11m) For the 1961 and 1962 seasons the Embassy body with ventilation by means of top sliding windows was produced on A.E.C. and Leyland chassis and, apart from two examples with front entrances, was produced in centre entrance form only. It had a curved waistrail and a pronounced curvature to the front. The only customer for the centre entrance version was Wallace Arnold who took eighteen examples and specified the front flash of the side moulding to be that from the Consort IV era for standardisation with the earlier fleet.
EMBASSY (36'/11m). This was a replacement for the Consort IV body and was introduced for the 1961 and 1962 seasons. The multiple side windows with top sliders for ventilation were inclined rather than vertical as on the earlier Consort range and the oval grille was replaced by a lower level one. Only two were built in 36 feet long form with a front entrance, as here, the other example being 30YTC of Shipley. Ashton-under-Lyne.
EMBASSY (36'/11m) Introduced for the 1963 and 1964 seasons this was basically a Panorama body but was fitted with top sliding windows for ventilation instead of fixed windows and forced ventilation. It was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis, in centre entrance form only, and all were for Wallace Arnold.
EMBASSY (36'/11m) Introduced for the 1963 and 1964 seasons this was basically a Panorama body but was fitted with top sliding windows for ventilation instead of fixed windows and forced ventilation. It was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis in centre entrance form and all were for Wallace Arnold.
EMBASSY (36'/11m) The 1965 and 1966 season body for A.E.C. and Leyland chassis with top-sliding windows for ventilation was named Embassy. The body had a straight waistrail and the shallow side moulding, the only customer being Wallace Arnold. The polished trim was fitted as standard below the windscreen and the first main side window
EMBASSY (36'/11m) 'Continental steps'. A number of operators specified the automatic folding steps as seen here on the emergency exit. These could be used on the continent by passengers to enter or leave the vehicle in greater safety. It had been offered by Plaxton since 1955 when a Venturer II bodied Bedford SB was so fitted. Although seen here on an Embassy body the arrangement was also available on the Panorama body.
Panorama 36'
PANORAMA (36'/11m) For the 1961 and 1962 seasons the Panorama body was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard and Royal Tiger chassis and had lost the 'kick-up' at the rear of the body which had been introduced to suit the rear screen of the earlier model. There was a slightly falling waistline and four large fixed windows. and a smaller one which on the offside incorporated the emergency exit.
PANORAMA (36'/11m) For the 1961 and 1962 seasons the Panorama body was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard and Royal Tiger chassis and had lost the 'kick-up' at the rear of the body which had been introduced to suit the rear screen of the earlier model. There was a slightly falling waistline and four large fixed windows. and a smaller one which on the offside incorporated the emergency exit.
The Royal Tiger rebodies retained the style of grille from the 1959-1960 period Panorama.
PANORAMA (36'/11m) The rear of the Panorama body for the 1961 and 1962 seasons featured a two piece rear screen extending round the corners to meet the short window which followed the four long side windows. The Timpson's example seen here has the optional two piece side-hinged boot doors rather than the single piece top-hinged one. The rear panel included space for the operator's name and the registration number. On earlier models the two panels either side of the registration number had been used for the direction indicators.
PANORAMA (36'/11m) For the 1963 and 1964 seasons the Panorama body built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis followed the basic design of the previous season's model but the waistline was now straight and it now had three large fixed windows, followed by two smaller ones, the first of which, on the offside, incorporated the emergency exit. The roof projected forward a few inches beyond the windscreen.
PANORAMA (36'/11m) For the 1963 and 1964 seasons the Panorama body built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis followed the basic design of the previous season's model but the waistline was now straight and it now had three large fixed windows, followed by two smaller ones, the first of which, on the offside, incorporated the emergency exit. The roof projected forward a few inches beyond the windscreen.
PANORAMA (36'/11m) The 1965 and 1966 season Panorama body had three large fixed windows and forced ventilation and introduced the inward pivoting entrance door. The body was available with either the deep side moulding as here or the shallower moulding introduce for this season. The polished trim was fitted as standard below the windscreen and the first main side window. It was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis.
PANORAMA (36'/11m) The 1965 and 1966 season Panorama body had three large fixed windows and forced ventilation and introduced the inward pivoting entrance door. The body was available with either the shallow side moulding as here or the deeper moulding from the previous season. The polished trim was fitted as standard below the windscreen and the first main side window. It was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis and a kerb viewing window was often fitted to the entrance door.
PANORAMA (36'/11m) The 1965 and 1966 season Panorama body had three large fixed windows and forced ventilation and introduced the inward pivoting entrance door. The body was available with either the deep side moulding as here or the shallower moulding introduce for this season. The polished trim was fitted as standard below the windscreen and the first main side window. It was built on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis.
Panorama I and II 36'
PANORAMA I (36'/11m) 1967 saw the introduction of the Panorama I body for the 1967 and 1968 seasons and this continued to have three large fixed side windows with forced ventilation. The shallow side moulding extended from just below the top of the wheelarch to mid axle level. There was polished trim beneath the windscreen and the first side windows and the body had the inward pivoting door. There was often the optional kerb viewing window in the door. It was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol RELH, Daimler Roadliner and Leyland Leopard and Panther chassis.
Midland Red took a batch of Leyland Leopards win Panorama I bodies in 1970.
PANORAMA II (36'/11m) 1967 saw the introduction of the Panorama II body for the 1967 and 1968 seasons and this contined to have three large side windows but with top sliding windows for ventilation. The shallow side moulding extended from just below the top of the wheelarch to mid axle level. There was no polished trim beneath the windscreen or first side window and no thick pillar after the first side window. The body had the inward pivoting door. This was built in limited numbers on A.E.C. Reliance chassis, some being deferred until 1969 as with this example.
Panorama Elite 36'
PANORAMA ELITE (36'/11m) The Panorama Elite was available for the 1969 and 1970 seasons and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Daimler Roadliner and Leyland Leopard chassis This introduced the curved side windows and a double side trim strip which ran above the wheelarches and met the front grille on the curve of the top corner. The body style was denoted in the space at the rear where the upper trim strip raised up. Fixed windows with forced ventilation was standard
PANORAMA ELITE (36'/11m)
The Panorama Elite with curved side windows was available for the 1969 and 1970 seasons. It had fixed windows and forced ventilation and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol RELH, Daimler Roadliner, Leyland Leopard and Mercedes-Benz O.302 chassis. This body introduced the curved side windows and a double side trim strip which ran above the wheelarches and met the front grille close to the curve of the top corner. The body style was normally denoted in the space at the rear where the upper trim strip raised up although this Mercedes -Benz had a modified side trim, that on the Panorama Elite III. Fixed windows with forced ventilation were standard
PANORAMA ELITE (36'/11m)
The Panorama Elite with curved side windows was available for the 1969 and 1970 seasons. It had fixed windows and forced ventilation and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol RELH, Daimler Roadliner, Leyland Leopard and Mercedes-Benz O.302 chassis. Behind the entrance it had three large side windows and three smaller windows, the leading one of which, on the offside, housed the emergency exit. This body style had a double side trim strip which met the front grille on the curve of the top corner. The body style was denoted in the space at the rear where the upper trim strip raised up.
PANORAMA ELITE (36'/11m)
The Panorama Elite with curved side windows was available for the 1969 and 1970 seasons. It had fixed windows and forced ventilation and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol RELH, Daimler Roadliner and Leyland Leopard chassis. Behind the entrance it had three large side windows and three smaller windows, the leading one of which, on the offside, housed the emergency exit. This had a double side trim strip which met the front grille on the curve of the top corner. The body style was denoted in the space at the rear where the upper trim strip raised up.
PANORAMA ELITE II (36'/11m) The Panorama Elite II with curved side windows was available for the 1971 and 1972 seasons. It had fixed windows and forced ventilation and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol RELH and Leyland Leopard chassis. Behind the entrance it had three large side windows and three smaller windows, the leading one of which, on the offside, housed the emergency exit. The body had a double side trim strip which met the front grille at the top corner. The body style was denoted in the space at the rear where the upper trim strip raised up. This example has, unusually, top-sliding windows and no style designation and also has the roof mounted destination box known as the "Bristol dome" which could be fitted to chassis other than Bristol if requested.
PANORAMA ELITE II (36'/11m)
The Panorama Elite II was introduced for the 1971 and 1972 seasons and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol RE and Leyland Leopard chassis and continued the curved side windows of the Panorama Elite but had a revised squarer grille and with the double side trim strip meeting the grille on the top corner and also having a space at the rear of the trim strip where they separated to carry the body style. A small number were fitted with an additional centre entrance principally for London Tour work.
PANORAMA ELITE II and III
The treatment of the rear lights, and the bootlid was changed from the PEII to the PEIII as seen here. The PEIII had integrated lighting units replacing the two separate circular ones and had concealed hinges for the boot together with a wider illuminated panel to display the operator's name. The boot lid also lost its crease line which had extended between the two lighting units on the PEII.
PANORAMA ELITE III (36'/11m) The Panorama Elite III with curved side windows was available for the 1973, 1974 and 1975 seasons. It had fixed windows and forced ventilation and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol RELH, Leyland Leopard, Seddon Pennine and Volvo B58 chassis. Behind the entrance it had three large side windows and three smaller windows, the leading one of which, on the offside, housed the emergency exit. The body had a double side trim strip which met the front grille at the top corner and which separated into two, about four inches apart at the leading end. The body style was normally denoted at the front, just behind the entrance.
Panorama Elite 39'
PANORAMA ELITE (39'/12m) The Panorama Elite was built in 39 foot form for the 1969 and 1970 seasons on A.E.C. Reliance and Leyland Leopard chassis This introduced the curved side windows and a double side trim strip which ran above the wheelarches and met the front grille on the curve of the top corner. The body style was denoted in the space at the rear where the upper trim strip raised up. Fixed windows with forced ventilation was standard
PANORAMA ELITE II (39'/12m)
The Panorama Elite II was introduced for the 1971 and 1972 seasons and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol REMH and Leyland Leopard chassis and continued the curved side windows of the Panorama Elite but had a revised squarer grille and with the double side trim strip meeting the grille on the top corner and also having a space at the rear of the trim strip where they separated to carry the body style. This example also has the roof mounted destination box known as the "Bristol dome" which could be fitted to chassis other than Bristol if requested.
PANORAMA ELITE III (39'/12m) The Panorama Elite III was introduced for the 1973, 1974 and 1975 seasons and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol REMH , Leyland Leopard, Mercedes-Benz O.302 and Volvo B58 chassis. It continued the curved side windows of the Panorama Elite II but had the double side trim strips separated by about four inches with the style name carried between them, normally at the front. This example also has the coloured lights favoured by some operators mounted on the front roof dome.
PANORAMA ELITE III (39'/12m) The Panorama Elite III was introduced for the 1973, 1974 and 1975 seasons and was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol REMH , Leyland Leopard, Mercedes-Benz O.302 and Volvo B58 chassis. It continued the curved side windows of the Panorama Elite II but normally had the double side trim strips separated by about four inches with the style name carried between them, normally at the front. This example also has the roof mounted destination box known as the "Bristol dome" which could be fitted to chassis other than Bristol if requested.
Elite Express
ELITE EXPRESS. The Elite Express was introduced for the 1970 season and the first six examples were built in 36' form on Leyland Leopard chassis. It was similar to the Panorama Elite but had twin inward pivoting doors and a wider entrance making it suitable for the 'bus-grant' scheme which gave a 25% discount on the purchase price provided it was used on stage carriage services for a certain percentage of its mileage.
ELITE EXPRESS. The Elite Express was introduced for the 1970 season and following the first six built in 36' form on Leyland Leopard chassis, a number were built on A.E.C. Reliance chassis. It was similar to the Panorama Elite but had twin inward pivoting doors and a wider entrance making it suitable for the 'bus-grant' scheme which gave a 25% discount on the purchase price provided it was used on stage carriage services for a certain percentage of its mileage.
ELITE EXPRESS II. The Elite Express II was introduced for the 1971 and 1972 seasons and was built in both 30' and 36' versions on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol RELH, and Leyland Leopard chassis. It was similar to the Panorama Elite II but had twin inward pivoting doors and a wider entrance making it suitable for the 'bus-grant' scheme which gave a 25% discount on the purchase price provided it was used on stage carriage services for a certain percentage of its mileage.
ELITE EXPRESS III. The Elite Express III was introduced for the 1973 1974 and 1975 seasons and was built in both 30' and 36' versions on A.E.C. Reliance, Bristol RELH, Leyland Leopard and Volvo B58 chassis with the addition of a 39' version on Leyland Leopard in 1975. It was similar to the Panorama Elite III but had twin inward pivoting doors and a wider entrance making it suitable for the 'bus-grant' scheme which gave a 25% discount on the purchase price provided it was used on stage carriage services for a certain percentage of its mileage.
Highway
HIGHWAY Introduced in 1957, the Highway body was built in both 30 and 36 foot versions on A.E.C. Reliance and on Leyland Leopard and Tiger Cub chassis and was particularly popular among the North East independent operators. It continued in production until 1967.
HIGHWAY Introduced in 1957, the Highway body was built in both 30 and 36 foot versions on A.E.C. Reliance and on Leyland Leopard and Tiger Cub chassis and was particularly popular among the North East independent operators. It continued in production until 1967.
HIGHWAY Introduced in 1957, the Highway body was built in both 30 and 36 foot versions on A.E.C. Reliance and on Leyland Leopard and Tiger Cub chassis and was particularly popular among the North East independent operators. It continued in production until 1967.
HIGHWAY Introduced in 1957, the Highway body was built in both 30 and 36 foot versions on A.E.C. Reliance and on Leyland Leopard and Tiger Cub chassis and was particularly popular among the North East independent operators. It continued in production until 1967.
HIGHWAY Introduced in 1957, the Highway body was built in both 30 and 36 foot versions on A.E.C. Reliance and on Leyland Leopard and Tiger Cub chassis and was particularly popular among the North East independent operators. It continued in production until 1967.
Lancashire United took batches with a modified frontal treatment between 1961 and 1964 to a style referred to earlier by enthusiasts as a 'Conway'
MIDLAND RED Between December 1962 and June 1970 Plaxton completed 243 bodies for Midland Red on B.M.M.O. frames which were built on S16, S17, S21A & S23 chassis. All had B52F bodies except three S21As, which had DP48F layout, and the final 50 (S23s) which were B51F.
Derwent
DERWENT 36' At the 1962 Commercial Motor Show Plaxton exhibited a Leyland Leopard chassis with the new bus body, which had metal framing, after receiving an order for seven metal framed bodies from West Riding. Having had to order ten sets of frames, the other three sets were used for bodies mounted on A.E.C. Reliance chassis, the last of them in 1965.
Derwent II
DERWENT A revised Derwent body of composite construction was first produced in 1966 and was generally known as the Derwent II, although not carrying any lettering. It was built on A.E.C. Reliance, Swift, Bristol RELH, RELL, Daimler Roadliner, Leyland Leopard, Panther, Tiger Cub, and Seddon Pennine RU chassis in 30' and 36' lengths. It differed from the Highway in having flush glazing and curved screens, both front and rear, together with peaked domes.
DERWENT A revised Derwent body of composite construction was first produced in 1966 and was generally known as the Derwent II, although not carrying any lettering. It was built on A.E.C. Reliance, A.E.C. Swift, Bristol RELH, Daimler Roadliner, Leyland Leopard and Leyland Panther chassis in 30' and 36' lengths. It differed from the Highway in having flush glazing and curved screens, both front and rear, together with peaked domes.
DERWENT A revised Derwent body of composite construction was first produced in 1966 and was generally known as the Derwent II, although not carrying any lettering. It was built on A.E.C. Reliance, A.E.C. Swift, Bristol RELH, Daimler Roadliner, Leyland Leopard and Leyland Panther chassis in 30' and 36' lengths. It differed from the Highway in having flush glazing and curved screens, both front and rear, together with peaked domes.
Lancashire United took a number of bodies between 1967 and 1973 which were a combination of the Derwent II and the Highway. The body was basically a Derwent but with the rear end styling of the Highway without the peak and the two curved rear screens and the front end was of the Highway style. These were built on Bristol RESL and Seddon Pennine RU chassis for Lancashire United.
Lancashire United took a number of bodies between 1967 and 1973 which were a combination of the Derwent II and the Highway. The body was basically a Derwent but with the rear end styling of the Highway without the peak and the two curved rear screens and the front end was of the Highway style. These were built on Bristol RESL and Seddon Pennine RU chassis for Lancashire United.
Halifax took a number of bodies in 1970 and 1971 which were a combination of the Derwent II and the Highway. The body was basically a Derwent but with the rear end styling of the Highway without the peak and the two curved rear screens and the front dome was of the Highway style with curved screens. These were built on Seddon Pennine RU and A.E.C. Reliance chassis for Halifax.
Halifax took a number of bodies in 1970 and 1971 which were a combination of the Derwent II and the Highway. The body was basically a Derwent but with the rear end styling of the Highway without the peak and the two curved rear screens and the front dome was of the Highway style with curved screens. These were built on Seddon Pennine RU and A.E.C. Reliance chassis for Halifax.
Seasons (September to August). e.g. 1961 Season ran from September 1960 to August 1961.
The table lists the various combinations of body/chassis which were built each season.