ronmccullock
Crosville Seddon Pennine RU ABU 451J Demonstrator
In March 1969, the Oldham based truck and bus manufacturer Seddon introduced the rear-engined single-deck bus chassis the Pennine RU (the designation indicating the rear underfloor engine position) to take on the models offered by British Leyland in the form of the AEC Swift, Bristol RE, Daimler Roadliner and Leyland Panther. Seddon thought they had the desired recipe with the well-tried Gardner 6HLX engine mated to a Self-Changing-Gears semi-automatic gearbox (basically the same as used by the British Leyland range of models I mentioned), but this recipe did not produce a good result in the RU. There were problems with the use of a short propeller shaft to take the drive to the rear axle, this problem along with a tendency for the RU to overheat were the only shortcomings of what was a competitive priced chassis, with over 200 in service by 1972. Seddon ceased production of the Pennine RU chassis in 1974, with only 274 built (source BLOTW).
My view shows a Seddon Pennine RU (B45D) ABU 451J demonstrator (registered in 1971) with bodywork built by Seddon's own bodybuilding subsidiary, Pennine Coachworks. This demonstrator was on loan to Crosville Motor Services Ltd who would be the largest single customer for the Seddon Pennine RU with 100, only because they could not get the Bristol RE. The demonstrator is in the Crosville Tilling livery, soon to be replaced with the NBC leaf green livery. Notice the Seddon Diesel badge on the front.
Compare this photograph with my previous photograph of the SELNEC Northern Pennine bodied AEC Swift. In my opinion the Pennine Swift has a cleaner front, just check the fog lights, they look better on the Swift.
Lets play I spy, next to the Seddon is one of Crosville's ex North Western Park Royal AEC Regent buses. Behind the Seddon is a Foden truck with the famous Micky Mouse cab.
I won this slide on eBay with full copyright, I do not have to name the photographer, but I will to keep the troublemakers at bay, the photographer is Mr Cliff Essex.
Crosville Seddon Pennine RU ABU 451J Demonstrator
In March 1969, the Oldham based truck and bus manufacturer Seddon introduced the rear-engined single-deck bus chassis the Pennine RU (the designation indicating the rear underfloor engine position) to take on the models offered by British Leyland in the form of the AEC Swift, Bristol RE, Daimler Roadliner and Leyland Panther. Seddon thought they had the desired recipe with the well-tried Gardner 6HLX engine mated to a Self-Changing-Gears semi-automatic gearbox (basically the same as used by the British Leyland range of models I mentioned), but this recipe did not produce a good result in the RU. There were problems with the use of a short propeller shaft to take the drive to the rear axle, this problem along with a tendency for the RU to overheat were the only shortcomings of what was a competitive priced chassis, with over 200 in service by 1972. Seddon ceased production of the Pennine RU chassis in 1974, with only 274 built (source BLOTW).
My view shows a Seddon Pennine RU (B45D) ABU 451J demonstrator (registered in 1971) with bodywork built by Seddon's own bodybuilding subsidiary, Pennine Coachworks. This demonstrator was on loan to Crosville Motor Services Ltd who would be the largest single customer for the Seddon Pennine RU with 100, only because they could not get the Bristol RE. The demonstrator is in the Crosville Tilling livery, soon to be replaced with the NBC leaf green livery. Notice the Seddon Diesel badge on the front.
Compare this photograph with my previous photograph of the SELNEC Northern Pennine bodied AEC Swift. In my opinion the Pennine Swift has a cleaner front, just check the fog lights, they look better on the Swift.
Lets play I spy, next to the Seddon is one of Crosville's ex North Western Park Royal AEC Regent buses. Behind the Seddon is a Foden truck with the famous Micky Mouse cab.
I won this slide on eBay with full copyright, I do not have to name the photographer, but I will to keep the troublemakers at bay, the photographer is Mr Cliff Essex.