As good as it gets.
Being something of a proud Luddite, any further development in the world of coaching to me was superfluous. This was it, anything which came later was an irrelevance. The combination of AEC Reliance '760 with Plaxton's Supreme IV bodywork was a pinnacle. Even the livery here of Cambridge based Premier Travel was excellent... real colours, no bendi paint, no flash over in white with vinyl splodges and stripes.
The 12.47 litre (naturally aspirated) Reliance was a treat to drive with masses of bottom end grunt and was practically un-stallable. Pulling from 10mph with a full load in fourth gear was quite possible though not recommended.
This was the second time in quick succession that I'd encountered this coach, here in it's home town and once before as an exhibit at a Showbus Rally held at Thorpe Park. Unfortunately Leyland deemed the AEC plant at Southall a luxury they couldn't sustain and the year following WEB 408T's manufacture, the year of this picture 1979, AEC manufacture ceased. Premier Travel were by this time unusual in continuing to specify 10.00x20 tube type tyres as seen here.
Little did I know when I took this picture that I'd one day be the proud operator of it.
As good as it gets.
Being something of a proud Luddite, any further development in the world of coaching to me was superfluous. This was it, anything which came later was an irrelevance. The combination of AEC Reliance '760 with Plaxton's Supreme IV bodywork was a pinnacle. Even the livery here of Cambridge based Premier Travel was excellent... real colours, no bendi paint, no flash over in white with vinyl splodges and stripes.
The 12.47 litre (naturally aspirated) Reliance was a treat to drive with masses of bottom end grunt and was practically un-stallable. Pulling from 10mph with a full load in fourth gear was quite possible though not recommended.
This was the second time in quick succession that I'd encountered this coach, here in it's home town and once before as an exhibit at a Showbus Rally held at Thorpe Park. Unfortunately Leyland deemed the AEC plant at Southall a luxury they couldn't sustain and the year following WEB 408T's manufacture, the year of this picture 1979, AEC manufacture ceased. Premier Travel were by this time unusual in continuing to specify 10.00x20 tube type tyres as seen here.
Little did I know when I took this picture that I'd one day be the proud operator of it.