Leyland Lion PSR1
Encyclopedia
The Leyland Lion, coded as PSR1, is Leyland Motors' first production rear engined single decker. A total of 88 were built between 1960 and 1967, which was low for the time. It was the third of five Leyland bus models to be called Lion.
's transverse rear engine and Z-drive transmission, Leyland Motors sought further applications for it (the Dromedary 8x4 petrol tanker sold in the thousands—but only as a Lesney Matchbox toy; only one full size example entered service). By combining the Atlantean power-pack with a Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster
chassis frame, Leyland produced a vehicle equivalent to North American transit buses. This was the Leyland Lion PSR1.
Standard power unit was the Leyland O.680 rated at up to 200bhp with the Leyland O.600 with outputs from 125-140bhp as an option, these were mounted vertically and transversely at the rear. The front axle was a Worldmaster unit and the rear was similar to the Worldmaster unit but with the driving head inverted. Leyland SCG Pneumocyclic transmission was offered in 5 or 4-speed versions, with electric or pneumatic control. Drive was transmitted from engine to gearbox through either a centrifugal clutch or in later models via a fluid-friction coupling which enabled a solid connection at higher road speeds. An Eaton two speed driving head to the axle was optional. For the Australian market only a third non-driving axle, mounted ahead of the rear axle, was also offered. This was based on the Worldmaster rear axle but without a driving head, and was fitted into a suspension system based on that of the Albion
Reiver 6x2 lorry. The purpose was to reduce axle loading. Most of the 6x2 Lions went to West Australian Railways and had passenger and cargo bodies fitted; the one exception to this was used by a West Australian Independent.
An Atlantean style glass fibre bustle could be supplied to cover the engine, or coach-builders could enclose it, examples were built to both styles. Leyland mocked up a version of the bustle with fins and tail-lights from the contemporary Austin Cambridge A55 but this did not enter production.
who took 52 with local bodies resembling those of Mercedes-Benz
and Magirus-Deutz vehicles entering service at the same time. 30 were sold to Australia
, including six three-axle versions. Two were sold to an operator in New Zealand
, two to the Egged organisation in Israel
and one each went to Spain
and Turkey
. The Spanish one received a striking high-floor luxury body, that showed the Atlantean-style bustle, by Ayats
, and was operated by Chacosa in the Alicante
-Madrid
line.
Background
Having expended a large amount of time and money developing the Leyland AtlanteanLeyland Atlantean
The Leyland Atlantean is a model of double-decker bus built by Leyland in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1986....
's transverse rear engine and Z-drive transmission, Leyland Motors sought further applications for it (the Dromedary 8x4 petrol tanker sold in the thousands—but only as a Lesney Matchbox toy; only one full size example entered service). By combining the Atlantean power-pack with a Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster
Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster
The Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster, sometimes simply known as the Leyland Worldmaster, was a mid-underfloor-engined bus chassis built by Leyland between 1954 and 1979.-Description:...
chassis frame, Leyland produced a vehicle equivalent to North American transit buses. This was the Leyland Lion PSR1.
Description
The high straight chassis frame was made of high-duty steel channel sections and was similar to that of the Worldmaster. Springs, controls, and brakes were as specified for that model. The engine, transmission, radiator etc were Atlantean-type components.Standard power unit was the Leyland O.680 rated at up to 200bhp with the Leyland O.600 with outputs from 125-140bhp as an option, these were mounted vertically and transversely at the rear. The front axle was a Worldmaster unit and the rear was similar to the Worldmaster unit but with the driving head inverted. Leyland SCG Pneumocyclic transmission was offered in 5 or 4-speed versions, with electric or pneumatic control. Drive was transmitted from engine to gearbox through either a centrifugal clutch or in later models via a fluid-friction coupling which enabled a solid connection at higher road speeds. An Eaton two speed driving head to the axle was optional. For the Australian market only a third non-driving axle, mounted ahead of the rear axle, was also offered. This was based on the Worldmaster rear axle but without a driving head, and was fitted into a suspension system based on that of the Albion
Albion Motors
Albion Automotive of Scotstoun, Glasgow is a former Scottish automobile and commercial vehicle manufacturer, currently involved in the manufacture and supply of Automotive component systems....
Reiver 6x2 lorry. The purpose was to reduce axle loading. Most of the 6x2 Lions went to West Australian Railways and had passenger and cargo bodies fitted; the one exception to this was used by a West Australian Independent.
An Atlantean style glass fibre bustle could be supplied to cover the engine, or coach-builders could enclose it, examples were built to both styles. Leyland mocked up a version of the bustle with fins and tail-lights from the contemporary Austin Cambridge A55 but this did not enter production.
Sales
Although designed with North America in mind none were sold there. The largest customer was the government of IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
who took 52 with local bodies resembling those of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
and Magirus-Deutz vehicles entering service at the same time. 30 were sold to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, including six three-axle versions. Two were sold to an operator in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, two to the Egged organisation in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and one each went to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The Spanish one received a striking high-floor luxury body, that showed the Atlantean-style bustle, by Ayats
Ayats
Ayats is the trading name of Carrocerías Ayats SA, a Spain-based coachbuilder. The company constructs a range of coach bodies on a variety of chassis, and also manufacture their own integral products. Their products are used throughout Europe. The company was established in 1905 by Mr...
, and was operated by Chacosa in the Alicante
Alicante
Alicante or Alacant is a city in Spain, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of Alacantí, in the south of the Valencian Community. It is also a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 334,418, estimated , ranking as the second-largest...
-Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
line.
Survivors
One survived Lion was converted into a mobile home in New Zealand. Another example (Western Australian Government Railways DP90) is preserved by the Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia.Sources
- Jack, The Leyland Bus Mark Two, Glossop 1982
- Smith(ed), Buses Annual 1964, London 1963