Post
by TimBrown » 09:46 Tuesday 24th May 2022
This bus had a long career with Midland Red North after an early stint with Midland Red East, my records show allocations and further use after withdrawal at 23 years of age;
647 PUK 647R Bodywork Leyland National
SA 08/77, WS 05/80, Midland Red (East) (647) 09/81, WDN 09/82. Midland Red (North) (647) SY 09/82, overall advertisement: Chris Jenkins (Proton car dealer), Shrewsbury by c. 1994, Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury by 01/95, U 05/96, WL 08/96, Arriva Midlands North (647) 04/98, SY 02/00, WDN 08/00. Ramm (d), Sudden 12/00, Roberts (Cloion Coaches), Clawddnewydd 01/01, WDN by 09/02. North Wales Police 03/03 (presumed for static training purposes).
My guess would be that restoration of this bus isn't going to be simple; Leyland Nationals were exo-skeletal with all the stress panels on the outside unlike BMMO monocoques which had them on the inside. I believe that the window pans, as well as the side panels below the window, are crucial to the integrity of these buses, as both are made from steel they suffer from 'age-related' rust and corrosion, so there will be many new sections and much double sided rivetting to make the body sound. From memory, I think Nationals also suffered corrosion of the front and rear suspension mountings and many later short-pod marks shook themselves to bits around the front windscreen and cab area prior to front anti-rollbars being legally removed. Perhaps Mr 943KHA can elaborate on the finer details, as I only drove Nationals in service, never had to maintain or restore one! Whatever, I wish the new owners all the best and look forward to seeing this bus on the road at rallies in the future.