Leyland PSU3 'Mr Whippy' 3520

Government Transport bodied two buses, a Leyland Leopard and an AEC Reliance, at their Chullora workshops with prototype light-weight designs.

Aluminium framed, and using new materials like fibreglass, design features including air bag suspension, jet-air ventilation and vandal-proof moulded plastic seats (soon replaced by conventional vinyl ones).

3520, the Leyland prototype, was completed in August 1964. It entered service spending time at Burwood, Kingsgrove, Willoughby and Brookvale depots to enable staff and passengers to evaluate the design features. Staff soon named both the prototype buses ‘Mr Whippy’ after the similar looking ice cream vans.

It was later allocated to Burwood where it saw out the rest of its service. In 1980 the original 0.600 engine was replaced with a more powerful Leyland 0.680. 3520 continued in passenger service until 1982, when it was withdrawn and used as a staff bus at Chullora workshops. It was the only ‘old’ bus to be painted in the Mercedes-Benz Mark II livery.

In 1986 the bus was placed on permanent loan to the Museum by the Urban Transit Authority. Restoration was complete in 1988 to original green and cream livery, and the vehicle is fully operational today. Extensive suspension and axle works were completed in 2025.

Specifications:

Engine: 11.6 litre six cylinder Leyland 0.680 diesel engine developing 150 B.H.P. at 2000 RPM.

Transmission: Four speed air operate pneumocyclic gearbox to a crown wheel and pinion differential.

Brakes: Air foot brake and a mechanical park brake.

Body: Chullora workshops.

Status:

Operational