Restyled . . the Duple Commander coach
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ACOMPLETELY restyled version of the popular Duple Commander coach body for 1967/8 production has been announced by Duple Group Sales Ltd., The Hyde, Hendon, London NW9.
Named the Commander HI, the coach is available in 36 ft. and 32 ft. 6 in. versions, and orders have already been received from Eastern National Omnibus Co. Ltd., George Ewer and Co. Ltd., Kenilworth Tours Ltd., The North Western Road Car Co. Ltd., Potteries Motor Traction Co. Ltd. and York Bros. (Northampton) Ltd.
Like its predecessor, the Commander III is designed for mounting on AEC Reliance, Leyland Leopard, Bristol RE and, in 36 ft. form only, Daimler Roadliner SRC6 chassis. Production will be undertaken in the group's Blackpool factory; the 36 ft. version will seat 51 passengers and the shorter version 43.
Construction of the new Commander is based on the well-proved Duple metalframed body with timber subsidiaries. Dome and canopy panels are of glass reinforced plastics and main roof and side panels are of aluminium. Standard equipment includes forced air ventilation with four blower units in the front canopy and individual Jet Vents, two Weathershields three-way opening lights in the roof and fluorescent lighting.
The styling of the new Commander is an attractive combination of the Hendon-built Viceroy body and the wide-bay side elevation already associated with the existing Commander design. A new full-width grille is a prominent feature of the frontal design.
MORE BRISTOL ORDERS
ORDERS FOR a further 45 bus chassis from non-THC undertakings have been received by Bristol Commercial Vehicles Ltd. Liverpool City Transport has ordered 25 RELL single-deck chassis with Gardner 6HLW engines, four-speed semi-automatic transmission and leaf suspension, while Lancashire United Transport has placed a repeat order for 20 RESL chassis with 6HLW engines, semi-automatic transmission and leaf suspension.
Generous luggage accommodation is provided, with 128 cult. rear lockers standard on the Reliance and Leopard chassis (36 ft. model), 185 Cu. ft. divided between rear and underfloor lockers on the 36 ft. Bristol chassis and no less than 215 cu. ft. in underfloor lockers on the Daimler Roadliner chassis (without spare wheel). Optional extras include side luggage lockers on the Reliance and Leopard models.