The Leyland Atlantean vehicles operated by the Public Transport Commission (now State Transit) differed completely from all previous double deck buses, in that they were rear engined. The power units are in a vertical position, mounted transversely across the chassis with a drive to the rear axle being through an angle drive, while the tail shaft is approximately 45 degrees to the rear axle.

1003 is one of 224 placed in service between 1970 and 1972. The registration and fleet numbers commenced at 1001 and finished at 1224 The chassis and mechanical components were manufactured in England while the steel framed bodies were constructed as by Pressed Metal Corporation (PMC) of Revesby, Sydney, N.S.W. Orders were placed with Leylands in the late 1960Õs and the first of the chassis were constructed in 1969. 1003 was one of the very first off the production line and its chassis No L 902559 indicates that it was built in 1969. The body was completed on 26-4-1970. The vehicle entered service on 3-5-1970 the first day of operation of Atlanteans. In fact it was the first Atlantean to operate in revenue service from Mona Vale depot.

The first of the new buses were stationed at Mona Vale and Brookvale depots for Warringah area services. Subsequent deliveries were to Randwick, Pagewood, Willoughby and Waverley depots. The largest allocations of them were at Randwick and Waverley for the very heavily patronised Eastern suburbs services. Towards the end of their service lives, approximately 30 were transferred to Ryde and its satellite depot Leichhardt for inner city and Victoria Road services. In their final years, the Atlanteans sphere of operations gradually decreased, and remarkably they finished their days where they had begun on the Warringah Peninsula.

All buses of the type were withdrawn and sold between 1977 and May 1986, when the last government operated double deckers were phased out. The last trip was on the Route 189 to Taylors Point. Well over half the Atlanteans were purchased by private bus operators, the vast majority of them being deployed as school buses in rural New South Wales.

1003 was withdrawn in March 1981 with accident damage. It was acquired later that year by a syndicate of members for preservation. By January 1984 the vehicle had been completely overhauled and by the following March was registered  MBI-003. As the bus is now 30 years old, it qualifies for inclusion in the vintage and veteran scheme.

SPECIFICATION
Engine:            
Leyland six cylinder engine diesel (680 CID),  vertically mounted transversely across the rear (150 B.H.P. @ 2000 R.P.M.).

Transmission:
Four speed air operated pneumocyclic gearbox incorporating an angle drive

Rear Axle:
Crown wheel and pinion differential.

Brakes:
Dual circuit air operated foot brake and a mechanical parkbrake on the rear wheels only.

Steering:       
Power assisted hydraulic.