Coach Body Cost ,E3,500
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THE body of a new Leyland Tiger coach, which has just been placed in service by Luxury Landlines, Ltd., on the 428-mile route from Wellington to Auckland, New Zealand, is estimated to have cost more than £3,500. The vehicle cruises at 40 m.p.h. and completes the journey at an average speed of 281 mph. It has been given the fleet name "Viking"
Crawley Ridley and Co., Wellington, built the full-fronted body, the furnishings of which resemble those of the Vickers Viking aircraft of the King's Flight. The seats, which consist of foam rubber hung in elastic cords, are almost direct adaptations of the aircraft seats.
Special precautions have had to be taken to proof the coach against the fine pumice dust which it encounters on the desert road on the central part of the island.
During the journey, a hostess prepares tea in a well-appointed pantry at the rear of the coach. It is equipped with built-in stainless-steel cabinets and a sink with hot and cold water. Twoway radio apparatus is installed so that the driver may keep in touch with the drivers of other coaches and with two stations on the road. Built-in radio loudspeakers and an intercommunication system are also fitted.
The chassis employed for the coach is a model OPS.3 of 19-ft. wheelbase. An OPS.2 type. of 17-ft. 6-in. wheelbase, which was placed in service just over a year ago by Luxury Landlines, Ltd., covered 130,000 miles in the first 10 months. All seats have been booked for an average of three weeks in advance and there has not been a vacant seat since last December.
Mr. G.. K. Prisk, managing director, is having a third vehiele built for the company.