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VEHICLE INFORMATION - JWV 273W SOLD FOR PRESERVATION - February 2008 To Reduce Loading Times This Page Uses Thumbnail Images. To View An Enlarged Version Please Click On The Image And Use The Back Button On Your Browser To Return To This Page.
Registration Number - JWV 273W Year Of Registration - 1981 Chassis - Bristol Type - VRT/SL3 Chassis Number - VRT/SL3/2887 Engine - Gardner 6LXB (180bhp) Gearbox - 5 Speed Semi-Automatic (Type RV90) Body - Eastern Coach Works Body Number - 24675 Seating Capacity - 74 (H43/31F) Former Owners April 1981- 1986 Southdown (National Bus Company) 1986 - April 2000 Brighton & Hove (Go Ahead Group).
MORE ABOUT THE BRISTOL VRT ...... The advent of the Leyland Atlantean, in production from 1958, changed the shape of the British double-decker bus. Its transverse-mounted rear engine layout became the norm and since 1969, when the last of the front-engined chassis went out of production, has only been challenged by a small number of models. Successor to the popular Bristol Lodekka, the VRT was the first double-deck chassis from Bristol Commercial Vehicles to feature a transverse-mounted rear engine. The VRT, complete with its rather complex transmission design, was not greeted with great initial enthusiasm by all in the bus industry. Series 2 and 3 Bristol VRTs were a considerable improvement on the original version and became the standard National Bus Company double decker. Following many years of service, there exists a silent majority of bus companies for whom the Bristol VRT has proved a successful machine. A number are still in regular service throughout Great Britain. JWV 273W was new to Southdown Motor Services in April 1981. The vehicle was originally fitted with a Leyland 0.680 engine, one of just 29 examples built to this specification as a direct result of a Gardner engine shortage. At the time of deregulation the vehicle passed to Brighton & Hove and was subsequently converted to Gardner 6LXB power in November 1992. JWV 273W remained in service with Brighton & Hove until the end of Bristol VRT operation and joined the Woottens fleet shortly afterwards. Extensively refurbished in April 2002, this vehicle was a regular performer on school services throughout South Buckinghamshire. In late 2000 this bus was re-registered WJI 2849, but returned to its original number during March 2006. The vehicle was withdrawn and sold for preservation in February 2008. In 16 years of production 4,531 VRT chassis were produced. The Bristol VRT was finally replaced in 1981 by the Leyland Olympian, which was designed by Bristol Commercial Vehicles.
JWV 273W seen in service with Brighton & Hove.
Gardner diesel engines have held an unrivalled reputation for reliability and economy in commercial vehicles since they were first used in 1930. L Gardner and Sons Limited perfected the first high speed, direct injection, diesel engine in 1929. This Worldwide first by a British company, which revolutionised commercial road transport, has never been fully recognised.
More information about this bus can be found at http://web.ukonline.co.uk/robsly/jwv273w.html |
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Credit & Debit Cards Accepted Members of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Route One Awards - Shortlisted for Coach Operator of the Year 2007 Showbus Award Winners National Express Approved Operator Member of the Buckinghamshire County Council Next Bus Project
Copyright © 1999 Woottens Luxury TravelThis Page Was Last modified: July 02, 2008 |
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