ROYALIST REVIVED
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by Derek Moses
UOLLOWING closely on the news that a leading bus builder is to have a real crack at the luxury coach market (COMMERCIAL Moron, August 19) another leading bus builder, Park Royal Vehicles Ltd. has announced its intention to re-enter the luxury coachbuilding field, this time in a big way. This announcement was made by Mr. J. W. Shirley, director and general manager of the company, when a new 41-seat luxury coach on an Albion Viking VK43L rear-engined chassis was shown to the trade Press recently.
The proposed introduction of the new coach was actually announced in COMMERCIAL MOTOR, December 10, 1965, when this Leyland Motor Corporation venture was welcomed by the writer as a development "which should interest coach operators, starved as they are of the wide choice of luxury coachbuilders they once enjoyed". At that time it was reported that 15 coaches were to be built, all on Albion Viking chassis and to be sold through Leyland dealers.
Remembering previous excursions into the full-luxury coachbuilding field by Park Royal which were short-lived, it was heartening to hear Mr. Shirley state that this latest venture was only a beginning. It was the intention of Park Royal to persevere in this market, he said.
A small production run of the Royalist is planned for 196'7 (additional to the 15 already announced) and these will be on Vikings. In 1968 larger-scale production is planned, however, and other chassis will also be bodied, including the popular Bedford and Ford light coach chassis.
Meanwhile, the prototype coach is beginning a lightning tour of dealers before the Commercial Motor Show and a Vikingbased Royalist will be on the Park Royal stand at the Show.
The new Royalist coach bears no resemblance to a namesake brought out 14 years ago. On this occasion no trouble has been spared to produce a really eyecatching vehicle, and—equally important— a vehicle comfortable and attractive to ride in.
Design consultant Mr. John Reid and his staff were called in to style the new coach body completely. I understand that the resultant vehicle produced by Park Royal is considered by them to be a very good interpretation of what they envisaged.
Certainly the new coach is eye-catching and a little unusual in appearance, though none the less attractive for that. One unusual feature for a luxury coach is the absence of bumpers of any description. Whether coal operators will approve is one thing, but think the addition of bumpers here wou spoil the appearance.
The interior of the Royalist is light at spacious, with excellent visibility for passengers. The rear seats are raised ov the engine compartment and yet the ca rail is so high that passengers in this se still get an excellent view out of the sit windows, not to mention the view forward Composite construction has been er ployed with framing in selected hardwoc and teak waists at the sides, reinforced wi steel and aluminium alloy brackets at plates.
Coachbuilt seats with individual squat are fitted, the cushions and squabs beir filled with Vitafoam sponge rubber ar covered in brown Replin with matchir Lionella to seat backs. Smiths 702 heatir and ventilating equipment is employed ar individual jet vents are also fitted. The roof and cove panels are in offLite Suwide, window finishers in pie mcd Arborite and side lining nels are covered in Doeskin Arborite, ilist the flooring beneath the seats is in rk grey Aerowalk. These colours are mdard, but the interior colour scheme n be varied by employing three different )quettes with corresponding colours to ,! rear face of the seat squabs and the ngway carpet. These are red, brown and An ingenious centrally pivoted entrance or has been fitted; the door opens inwards that the inside of the door is exposed to passenger when in the open position. :rtainly the coach operators complaining lack of choice should find the Royalist attractive alternative.
RV Show Exhibits
In addition to the Royalist coach, one of !. highlights to be exhibited at the Corn:rcial Motor Show will be a fronttrance, central-exit Park Royal body on :yland Panther chassis—one of 200 being ilt for Stockholm with 39 seats and mding room for 32 people.
Another very interesting vehicle will be 78-seat Roe-bodied Daimler Fleetline for :eds City Transport. This doublecker will be no less than 32 ft. 9 in. long d, despite its length, will be of three-bay sign. Roe will also show, on their own Ind, a 77-seat double-decker on Leyland lantean chassis for Oldham Corporation d a 48-seat single-decker on AEC Swift assis for Leeds City Transport which ll appear on the AEC stand.
Park Royal Group exhibits will be cornned by a Park Royal 77-seat double:cker on Atlantean chassis for Sheffield ty Transport and a Roe 76-seat double:cker, also on Atlantean chassis, for the 'est Riding Automobile Co. Ltd.