62 LEYLAND NATIONAL

22nd September 1972, Page 126

22nd September 1972

Page 126

Page 126, 22nd September 1972 — 62 LEYLAND NATIONAL

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c/o British Leyland Truck and Bus Division, Leyland, Preston PR5 1SN.

This is the first time that Leyland National ha; had a separate stand at the Show and gooc use is made of the space to display t complete vehicle and a sectioned versior which reveals the structure.

The Leyland National, which was first seer at the 1970 Earls Court Show, is built at t brand new plant at Lillyhall, near Workington Cumberland, and features an integral type o construction which is still uncommon ir British-built buses, The integral constructior suits mass production better than the traditional cpachbuilding methods anc benefits from many standardized desigr features. Four common areas are built intc each bus irrespective of length, these are the front end including driver's compartment anc front axle, centre door (where fitted), rear axle and power pack, the extreme rear end witlcooling /heating equipment, pillars and roa bows.

The body and underframe is built as E complete unit using both riveting and weldirig. as a means of jointing panels. Sub-assemblie; and areas which are not damage prone are welded. Exterior panelling is mainly of stee but skin panels below the waistline and thE roof are in alloy.

The sectioned exhibit clearly shows detailE such as the ring frame structure which givet the bus its roll-over strength, the epox) powder coating giving corrosion protection the fireproof, non-slip flooring, and the outel skin panel /ring frame riveted joints. ThE exhibit also shows clearly the self-levelling ail suspension layout. A turbocharged version a the Leyland 500 engine, the 510, is mountec on its side well to the rear of the near axle ant drives forward via fouror five-speed semi oi fully automatic gearbox to the primal-) reduction gearing which is located at the fron. of the axle. A short universally jointec propshaft connects the gearbox and axle tc allow movement of the axle and passe: through the axle casing. The final spiral beve gearing has a ratio of 3.08 to 1. The Leylanc 510 engine is offered in 180 or 200 bhp a. 2000 rpm form. The complete bus on thE stand is an 11.3-metre (37ft) and can carr) 40 seated passengers.