WHAT is claimed to be the first WV Leyland Panther
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rear-engined singledecker to enter service in Britain is now being operated by W. C. Standerwick Ltd. on their Blackpool-London express service. The bus, on hire from the parent company, Ribble Motor Services Ltd., is fitted with a 49-seat, dual-purpose body. by Marshall of Cambridge (Engineering) Ltd. In most respects this body is identical with 10 dual-purpose bodies on Leyland Leopard chassis delivered earlier this year, but differs in respect of the luggage compartment and the floor, the latter sloping slightly upwards towards the rear to give greater height for the underslung 0.600 diesel engine.
The luggage compartment is accessible by three lift-up panels on the near side and two on the off side, and has a capacity of 178 Cu. ft. This compares with 132 Cu. ft. in the rear and side lockers of the underfloor-engined model. An Eaton two-speed rear axle is fitted to the chassis, and the high ratio of 3.313/4-52 to 1 has permitted speeds of up to 75 m.p.h. on the motorways. Single-leaf air suspension, with which Ribble have been experimenting for nearly two years, is fitted, and this type of suspension has been favourably received by both drivers and passengers.
A Ribble Panther will be exhibited by Leyland Motors Ltd. in the demonstration park at the forthcoming Commercial Motor Show.