Rear-engmed bus from
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Seddon? PLANS FOR GARDNER ENGINED MODELS
• A straight-framed rear-engined bus weighing probably less than 6 tons complete with a new Pennine-built single-deck body is the product with which Seddon Motors Ltd., Oldham, is seriously thinking of making a major entry into the UK passenger market.
The final decision to take this step will come very soon, but already operators who have been shown drawings and specifications have indicated considerable interest in the design—especially as its price will be very competitive with existing makes.
The new Seddon p.s.v. design (which follows increasing sales of Seddon-Pennine p.s.v. and Pennine-bodied chassis of other makes, notably Bristol) would be made in 33ft and 36ft lengths, both with a rearmounted Gardner 6LX engine. The body floor would be mounted directly on to the flat frame, without the need for intermediate cross-bearers. '
A new Pennine-built steel body, with some plastics panelling and an unusually high proportion of stainless steel, has been designed and would be standard. It would be of semi-integral Style, but the design would not rely upon body strength for overall stiffness. The simple, strong chassis would also accommodate other makes of body if required.
Only six greasing points,all fed from central manually operated lubricating control, and a completely maintenance-free suspension, are examples of the thought which has been given to reducing servicing costs.
The standard front-entrance layout would provide two steps, a short ramp and then a shallow step into the main, flat-floored saloon. The exit would be centrally placed.
Although the vehicle would not be fully integral, the chassis and standard body built by Seddon's subsidiary, the recently expanded Pennine Coachcraft Ltd., would be engineered as one.