1968 LEYLAND LEOPARD PSU3/2R

Vehicle Background:
In the mid 1960's the Department of Government Transport (D.G.T.) commenced its programme of re-equipping the bus fleet with new vehicles. At the time, the Department still followed traditional practices and favoured British built chassis. Leyland Motors Ltd was still Britain's largest producer of bus chassis and its range of products included the Leopard. This chassis was selected as being the type that most suited the Department's specifications, and as a result an order was placed for 232. Pressed Metal Corporation (P.M.C.) of Revesby, Sydney, was the successful tenderer for the contract to manufacture the bodies. The vehicles were numbered and registered 3522 to 3753 and were delivered in 1967 and 1968. It was planned that the 232 Leopards would replace the oldest buses in the fleet on a one for one basis. The eldest vehicles were the 90 Leyland OPD1 and the 143 Albion SPCX19W crash gearbox double deck buses.

When introduced, the new Leopards were painted in the traditional green and cream livery. At mid life refurbishment, all buses were repainted in the blue and white colour scheme adopted in October 1972 by the Public Transport Commission (P.T.C.) of NSW. These vehicles differed from the previous underfloor buses in that they had air suspension, fresh air ventilation, wider doors, with the rear door being relocated to the centre. Safety items included dual circuit fail safe air brakes, and a safety edge centre door on the last 50 buses of the batch (viz. 3704 to 3753). When the doors open, the rear brakes automatically apply, preventing the driver from depressing the accelerator and moving the bus. 3752 had this safety equipment, a feature that was fitted on all subsequent buses.

When the later model "Blue Leopards" entered service, the 232 Leopards became known, even in official circles as the "Green Leopards". Even after repainting into the Blue and White corporate colour scheme, the term still lingered as the newer model buses had quite a number of modifications.

While more than half the fleet were allocated to Newcastle at one time or another, 3752 only ever saw service from the now closed Enfield depot. The bus was the last of its type to enter service. It commenced on 2 January 1970 and was withdrawn on 31 December 1985 after only 16 years on the road. Upon application from the Association in April 1986, the Urban Transit Authority (U.T.A.) agreed to place the vehicle on permanent loan. The State Transit Authority (S.T.A.) has since vested ownership in the name of the Association.

The bus was restored by 1988 and the vehicle repainted in the original green and cream colour scheme.

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.

BRAKES: Dual circuit air foot brake and mechanical hand brake.