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British touring coach bodywork
Page 68
Page 69
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A further contraction in the number of luxury touring coach bodies available from British coachbuilders is evident this year, although the major models have undergone striking restyling resulting in a very high standard of design and appearance. The challenge to the major coachbuilders—Duple and Plaxtonfrom "Metropolitan-Cammell-Weyrnann Ltd. and Park Royal Vehicles Ltd., announced with such verve two years ago came to very little and Park Royal is not represented in the list this year. The MCW Metropolitan is still listed, however, although still restricted to one model for Bedford and Ford chassis with an overall length of about 32ft gin.
The Duple Compact and Plaxton body for the Bedford J2S and the Duple Vista and Plaxton body for the Bedford VAS are available in virtually unchanged design and specification. For all larger chassis, however, the new body styles are available. The Duple Viceroy is now the only body available from the Duple Group for Bedford VAM and VAL and Ford Ft 192 and R226 chassis, the Viscount body having been dropped. Plaxton's contribution for the abovementioned chassis is the Panorama Elite, which has replaced the Panorama I body.
The Panorama Elite is also the main Plaxton body for underflooror rear-engined chassis and is built in lengths of about 10, 11 and 12 metres. Although the Panorama II, which is of similar outline to the outmoded Panorama I, is still available it has not been listed as demand is minimal. This model, incidentally, has sliding window units, while the Elite has sealed windows and forced-air ventilation.
Sliding window units are an optional alternative on the Viceroy range to sealed windows arid forced ventilation, although the latter features are standard on the Commander .IV
body which Duple offers for underfloorand rear-engined chassis. A 12-metre version of this body will eventually be available, although none is listed as yet.
Surprisingly, there is still a continuing demand for the Bedford S3 chassis with its front axle right at the front of the coach, instead of set-back as on all other medium and large chassis, and to meet this demand, the Bella Vega body is still available from Duple, and the Panorama from Plaxton.
The controversial Alexander M-type body ("M"' for motorway) is listed, while a 12-metre version of the popular Alexander Y-type is also available. The Eastern Coach Works 36ft Coach body for rear-underfloor-engined chassis is still listed, although a 12-metre version has yet to be introduced.