1959 AEC REGAL IV 9823E

Vehicle Background:
Bus 3197 is an example of a second series underfloor bus. The word "Underfloor" was the terminology used to indicate that the engine was mounted horizontally under the floor amidships between the forward and rear axles of the vehicle. Orders were placed for 388 bus bodies to be built to the same specifications. 182 were built on AEC Regal IV chassis, while the remaining 206 were constructed on Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster chassis. The bodies were built by three different body builders in Sydney and the differences were quite minor in detail. 3197 had a body built by Clyde Engineering Co, Granville, Sydney and was new on 3.8.1959. Other examples were built by Cycle Components Manufacturing Co of Guildford and Commonwealth Engineering Co. Ltd of Granville. Delivery commenced in 1959 and concluded in 1961.

When new all these buses were equipped with automatic transmissions. After continued maintenance problems, the automatic control transmission option was disconnected in all vehicles in 1971. The buses then reverted to semi automatic operation.

These vehicles were known as the second series buses owing to them having automatic transmission and having an updated body design to improve passenger amenities. All were equipped with two sets of sliding windows, the lower ones being for the seated passengers and the higher windows for the standing patrons. These buses also featured improved destination displays, each one having two destination blinds. The top aperture being for the main destination and the bottom one being for supplementary information such as the Via destinations, first stop details or other signage. The buses were purchased by the Department of Government Transport to finalise the tramway replacement programme and to enable the last of the pre World War II buses to be withdrawn from service.

While the bus operated at Randwick depot for most of its service career, its final period of operation was from Brookvale depot. The bus was withdrawn in September 1978 and sold to Fellowes's Bus Service, Swansea, Newcastle. The Company reregistered and operated the vehicle until August 1983 as m/o.4349.

The vehicle was acquired for preservation soon after and has now been reinstated to its original guise as 3197. It is preserved in near original condition.

SPECIFICATION

ENGINE: Six cylinder O.H.V. AEC diesel 11.3 litre displacement, bore 4.72", stroke 5.59", 150 B.H.P. @ 1800 R.P.M.

TRANSMISSION: Four speed electropneumatic operated epicyclic gearbox and a worm drive differential.

BRAKES: Air operated foot brake and mechanical park brake.