|
|
OLYMPIAN |
 |
|
In November 1975, Leyland
revealed a new project, codenamed B15, which was currently under way. The
B15 was eventually given the name Titan and launched in 1977. The Titan had
a length of 9.56m with a wheelbase of 5.02m. This was the only version
offered and the chassis came completely built up with a body. However, many
operators found the integral bodywork unsuitable and preferred to have
standing connections with specific body builders. Another project, codenamed
B45, was started to develop a new double-decker chassis with advanced
features of the Titan. The B45 was finally revealed at the 1980 British
Commercial Motor Show and was given the name Olympian.
The Olympian became the last and most successful bus chassis designed by Leyland. It gained popularity both in the domestic and overseas market with more than 30,000 units sold. The basic chassis layout comprised of 3 elements; the front axle and front end, the rear axle assembly and the engine compartment. For the first time on a double-decker chassis, the engine and radiator were separated. While the engine remained in a rear-vertical position, the radiator was placed at the front. The coolant was piped from the engine to the radiator via steel tubes. Such an arrangement enhanced the engine's cooling rate, making the Olympian very suitable for places with a hot climate such as Singapore and Hong Kong. The Olympian was originally offered in 2 wheelbase lengths, 4.95m and 5.64m, which could be fitted with a bodywork having an overall length of 9.56m and 10.25m respectively. A choice of either a Gardner 6LXB or a Leyland TL11 engine was also offered, coupled to a Leyland Fully Charged Hydracyclic gearbox with automatic transmission. The chassis type designation was in the same way as the Atlantean AN68 series. First up was the chassis name, Olympian, initialed as ON. Then the engine type, LXB or TL11. Finally, it's overall length, indicated by the number 1 (9.56m) or 2 (10.25m) and the letters R or L for right-hand or left-hand drive respectively. Later, 3-axled models were developed for the Far East market but that's another story in the Leyland Olympian 12m sub-page. When Leyland was taken over by Volvo on March 30, 1988, all of Leyland's bus models ceased production except for the Olympian. Overwhelming orders from the local and overseas market meant that the Olympian continued production at the Leyland Bus Assembly Line in Workington, England. In June 1993, after all the outstanding orders were completed, the plant at Workington was closed and the Leyland name was lost. Although production of the Olympian continued at a new plant in Irvine, Scotland, the new buses bear the name "Volvo Olympian". |
||
|
SELECT A VERSION |
|
GO TO... |
| LEYLAND PAGE |
