Daimler demonstrator.
I should really have know better than to think it was a good idea to try to colourise a grainy low-res old photo, but the subject matter spurred me on. I've always had a soft spot for the 1960s / 1970s era of British built rear engined single deckers.
As the former of those two decades turned into the latter, PMT were in the throws of turmoil thanks to getting into bed with Daimler and their Roadliner. Buses were being hired in from all over the place to assist in keeping the wheels turning.
By this time Daimler had stretched their dependable Fleetline chassis to enable it to take 36ft long bodywork (11m). That fact would effectively allow it to be touted around as a face-saver rerplacement / alternative to the Roadliner. Not unreasonably the manufacturer's demonstrator SDU 930G (seen here) with Alexander W Type bodywork was loaned. That loan translated into an order which negated the need for one last batch of Roadliners. PMT had also borrowed AEC's Swift demonstrator and found it to eclipse the Daimler in trials, but no orders for it were forthcoming.
Anyway, here's SDU 930G inside Stoke garage in the company of traditional PMT fayre. The eagle eyed will probably note Roadliner 6000 EH drawn it at the back of the premises.
Perhaps prophetically, the Fleetline's destination is set to 'AA' . . . where it spent the rest of its working life after 'de-mob' operating for Dodds of Troon on its part of the 'AA' co-operative's services.
Daimler demonstrator.
I should really have know better than to think it was a good idea to try to colourise a grainy low-res old photo, but the subject matter spurred me on. I've always had a soft spot for the 1960s / 1970s era of British built rear engined single deckers.
As the former of those two decades turned into the latter, PMT were in the throws of turmoil thanks to getting into bed with Daimler and their Roadliner. Buses were being hired in from all over the place to assist in keeping the wheels turning.
By this time Daimler had stretched their dependable Fleetline chassis to enable it to take 36ft long bodywork (11m). That fact would effectively allow it to be touted around as a face-saver rerplacement / alternative to the Roadliner. Not unreasonably the manufacturer's demonstrator SDU 930G (seen here) with Alexander W Type bodywork was loaned. That loan translated into an order which negated the need for one last batch of Roadliners. PMT had also borrowed AEC's Swift demonstrator and found it to eclipse the Daimler in trials, but no orders for it were forthcoming.
Anyway, here's SDU 930G inside Stoke garage in the company of traditional PMT fayre. The eagle eyed will probably note Roadliner 6000 EH drawn it at the back of the premises.
Perhaps prophetically, the Fleetline's destination is set to 'AA' . . . where it spent the rest of its working life after 'de-mob' operating for Dodds of Troon on its part of the 'AA' co-operative's services.