Leyland National

Leyland National
London Transport Leyland National on Finchley Road on route 268 in July 1978
Overview
Manufacturer	Leyland
Production	1972–1985
Assembly	Workington, England
Body and chassis
Doors	1, 2 or 3
Floor type	Step entrance
Chassis	Integral
Powertrain
Engine	Leyland 510 Leyland 0.680 Leyland TL11 Gardner 6HLXB Gardner 6HLXCT
Transmission	Leyland Voith 851
Dimensions
Length	10.3 m, 10.6 m, 10.9 m, 11.3 m, 11.6 m
Chronology
Predecessor	AEC Swift Bristol RE Daimler Fleetline Daimler Roadliner Leyland Panther
Successor	Leyland Lynx

The Leyland National was an integrally-constructed British step-floor single-decker bus manufactured in large quantities between 1972 and 1985. It was developed as a joint project between two UK nationalised industries – the National Bus Company and British Leyland. Buses were constructed at a specially built factory at the Lillyhall Industrial Estate, Workington. Styling was carried out by the famed Italian vehicle stylist Giovanni Michelotti, well known to British Leyland, having worked for both Triumph (Herald, TR4, GT6, 2000/2500, 1300, Dolomite and Stag) and Scammell lorries (Routeman GRP cab).

It was intended to replace all the rear-engined single-decker buses offered by British Leyland, including the AEC Swift, Bristol RE, single-deck Daimler Fleetline, Daimler Roadliner and Leyland Panther.

The Leyland National was built with integral, modular construction and a rear engine. All components were designed for ease of construction and replacement. Until 1978, it was always built with a distinctive roof mounted pod at the rear, housing the heating equipment, which consequently blew warm air out at roof level. At first the pod was almost the length of a bay and appeared designed to give a Trans-Atlantic feel. In 1976 a new shorter version of the roof pod was introduced along with the battery being relocated to the front under the cab. The Leyland National was available in three lengths, the majority being 10.3m and 11.3m. It was easy to spot the longer ones as its main side windows were all the same length, on the shorter models the windows were shorter except for one in the middle (where the exit doors were on dual door variants) which was the same length as on the longer models.The third length was 10.9m, specially produced for Australian operators due to stringent axle weight limits. This used the front section of the 11.3 metre bus and the rear action of the 10.3 metre bus. One 10.9 metre bus (the prototype) was sold to a Scottish operator (Rennies of Dunfirmline) and was fitted out to dual purpose specification for use on express services.