61 BRISTOL

22nd September 1972, Page 119

22nd September 1972

Page 119

Page 119, 22nd September 1972 — 61 BRISTOL

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c/a British Leyland truck and bus division, Leyland, Preston PR5 1 SN.

Two chassis are on show which have numerous small but important changes since last seen at Earls Court.

The LHL (of which there are now 675 in service) is an 18ft 6in. wheelbase single-deck chassis and uses a Leyland 401 horizontal underfloor engine and a five-speed synchromesh gearbox. For 1973 the electrical wiring system has been improved by making it fireproof, the handbrake has been redesigned to make its action lighter and repositioned to the cab side to make it easier to use. A heavy-duty rear axle replaces the previous one to give improved life and reliability and now has a 5.57 to 1 reduction ratio. Revised Burman steering gear is incorporated which gives lower steering effort. This feature becomes standard on coach chassis and will be adopted on buses later. The gearchange linkage has also been improved.

The other exhibit is a VRT/SL2 double-deck chassis. This model was first introduced towards the end of 1968 and some 530 are already in service; it qualifies for a bus grant and can be built as low as 13ft 5in. or as high as 14ft 4in. The VRT shares the improved electrics and handbrake of the LH and features new rear lights which have a plug and socket connection. Only a lens change is needed to make these lights comply with the dual intensity requirements due soon. Wheelbase is 16ft 2in. The Gardner 6LXB rear transverse-mounted engine drives through a Self-Changing Gears gearbox. Special equipment includes a radiator shutter and radiator water-level indicator. A full dual circuit air braking system which includes spring brakes on the rear axle is used.