1964 LEYLAND LEOPARD PSU3/2RT
Vehicle Background:
During the early 1960s, it was apparent that double deck buses purchased in the immediate post-World War II period would soon require replacement. With the trend towards driver only operated single deck buses, the Department of Government Transport considered that its future buses should be of light weight construction. The Department issued instructions to the drawing office to develop a body design incorporating light weight materials and equipped with a smaller engine.
Two chassis were selected and heavily modified, one a Leyland Leopard and the other, an AEC Reliance chassis. Prototype bodies were built, using the criteria required by the Department. Light weight materials were incorporated in the body construction resulting in a saving of nearly one ton in weight. The aluminium body frame contributed substantially to this result. The completed bus was a marked improvement over the previous steel framed bodies of the Leyland ERT Royal Tigers and AEC Regal IV vehicles. Other unique features of the prototypes included air suspension, jet-air ventilation, vandal proof plastic moulded individual seats. The bodies weighed 6 ton 17 cwt and measured 33 feet in length. The buses carry 72 passengers (45 seated and 27 standing).
The Leyland Leopard prototype was registered m/o 3520, while the A.E.C. Reliance was m/o 3521. The Leyland was equipped with a Leyland 0.600 diesel engine for most of its service life. In August 1980 a more powerful 0.680 Leyland diesel was fitted. The Reliance was powered with an A.E.C. AH 590 engine of 9.6 litres displacement. The bodies were built at the Chullora bus workshops and were in fact the first vehicles bodied at the workshops complex. 3520 was completed on 28 August 1964 and 3521 entered service on 15 October 1964.
3520 was initially sent to Burwood, Kingsgrove, Willoughby and Brookvale Depots to enable the staff and the public alike to evaluate it new features. The bus was then permanently allocated to Burwood. Quite soon after their introduction, the staff nicknamed the pair of prototype buses "Mr Whippy". The name was a trade name for a company operating mobile Ice Cream Vans. Employees likened their appearance to these vehicles which were a local phenomena at the time. While the A.E.C. Reliance No 3521 was sold in 1977, the Leyland Leopard continued in normal passenger operation until 1982. It actually was the only old model bus to be painted in Mercedes MK. II livery. After that and until 1986 it was used as a staff bus at the Chullora bus
workshops.
Upon application by the Association in April 1986, the Urban Transit Authority (U.T.A.) agreed to place the bus on permanent loan to the Association. The transfer occurred on 10 May 1986. The State Transit Authority (S.T.A.) has since vested ownership in the name of the Association. Restoration was completed by 1988 and the vehicle repainted in original green and cream livery.
SPECIFICATION
ENGINE: Six cylinder Leyland diesel (680 C.I.D.), horizontally mounted mid way along the chassis under the floor. 150 B.H.P. @ 2000 R.P.M.
TRANSMISSION: Four speed air operated pneumocyclic gearbox and a crown wheel and pinion differential.
SUSPENSION: Air bag.
BRAKES: Full air foot brake and a mechanical hand brake.
