Plaxton 'droop'.
One of the less endearing features of British coaches, particularly longer Plaxtons of the late 60s, '70s and early '80s was the tendency to break their backs. In my experience the most resilient of them all were the early Supremes which usually survived quite well. 12m Elites and late '70s Supremes were the worst. The Elite was not aided by the re-location of the Emergency door from behind the driver to the position of what would ordinarily be the penultimate window bay on the 'off side'. The lightweight steel box section bearers of the later Supremes simply rotted out. Of course 'coach' bodies, unlike their 'bus' sisters required luggage accomodation, and in a mid engined standard low deck coach of the era, had to be at the rear. To facilitate maximum space, the option to have chassis extensions was seldom taken up, thereby leaving the rear overhang (perhaps nearly 11 feet) of the body to support itself plus all passengers and potentially their luggage.
Here, ex Castleways Leyland Leopard Plaxton Elite EDG 250L demostrates the issue. Note what should be a straight waist-rail from around the area of the rear wheels. Sadly this preserved coach didn't survive long after this picture was taken, though I'm not sure whether it was this body issue which finally put paid to it. Ironically, the often slated Duple Dominant equivalent ... renowned for body rot, didn't usually suffer in this manner and I can only ever recall seeing one actually broken ... against dozens of Plaxtons.
Plaxton 'droop'.
One of the less endearing features of British coaches, particularly longer Plaxtons of the late 60s, '70s and early '80s was the tendency to break their backs. In my experience the most resilient of them all were the early Supremes which usually survived quite well. 12m Elites and late '70s Supremes were the worst. The Elite was not aided by the re-location of the Emergency door from behind the driver to the position of what would ordinarily be the penultimate window bay on the 'off side'. The lightweight steel box section bearers of the later Supremes simply rotted out. Of course 'coach' bodies, unlike their 'bus' sisters required luggage accomodation, and in a mid engined standard low deck coach of the era, had to be at the rear. To facilitate maximum space, the option to have chassis extensions was seldom taken up, thereby leaving the rear overhang (perhaps nearly 11 feet) of the body to support itself plus all passengers and potentially their luggage.
Here, ex Castleways Leyland Leopard Plaxton Elite EDG 250L demostrates the issue. Note what should be a straight waist-rail from around the area of the rear wheels. Sadly this preserved coach didn't survive long after this picture was taken, though I'm not sure whether it was this body issue which finally put paid to it. Ironically, the often slated Duple Dominant equivalent ... renowned for body rot, didn't usually suffer in this manner and I can only ever recall seeing one actually broken ... against dozens of Plaxtons.