Wadhom's 11m bus
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VVADHAM STRINGER (Coachbuilders) Ltd of Waterlooville, Hampshire, has revealed its first 11m Vanguard single-deck bus, reports NOEL MILLIER.
Based on a Volvo B58 chassis with air-over-leaf suspension, it has its body welded direct to the chassis and has a far lower floor line than any other mid-engined design available in the UK.
The body is built to give maximum protection to the saloon in the event of a rollover. A multiple ring structure with rectangular tubular steel sections are carbon-dioxide welded together to form an integral assembly with themselves and the chassis. A strong A-frame and front bumper is used to protect the driver and entrance area from impact.
The bus is designed to comply with all current and proposed British, EEC and ECE legislation.
CM test-drove the bus and it seemed impressively quiet and vibration-free. Fitted with a Self Changing Gears semi-automatic gearbox and an engine de-rated to 185bhp, the Volvo Vanguard seemed a viable and attractive city bus with potential as a dual-purpose express or, with attention to cosmetic detail, a luxury coach.
Wadham Stringer and Volvo are both looking for small batch production to customers' requirements and have an eventual target of 150 buses a year.
The Volvo Vanguard prototype is comparatively light at nine tonnes unladen weight and, priced at just under £40,000, clearly provides the basis for economic and reliable public transport.
The body is suitable for twodoor layout and is planned for a 16-year service life.