THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - SO 3740

BACKGROUND HISTORY

Announced in 1927, the Leyland Tiger 6 cylinder-engined chassis was, like its counterparts - the ' Lion’ 4- cylinder and the ' Titan’ double-decker - the most advanced passenger transport chassis range yet produced. Innovations such as four-wheel brakes and self-starters were soon copied by Leyland’s rivals and many features introduced on these models became standard practice for the next 25 years.

The 'Ti ger' was manufactured initially in three variants - TS1, TS2 and TS3 - and over 1,800 were built between 1928 and 1 932 when the improved TS4 model was announced. Only about half a dozen have survived.

HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE

Chassis No 60381 was delivered In November 1929 to Scottish General (Northern) Omnibus Company Ltd of Elgin. having been ordered by Northern Omnibus Services, Elgin. It was registered S0 3740 and had a 32-seat body built by Porteous of Linlithgow. On 1st January 1930 SG(N)OC was taken over by W Alexander & Sons Ltd and SO 3740, one of five Tiger TS2s. was numbered 171 in the latter's fleet, becoming P63 in 1932. In February 1934 it received a new Alexander body and a Leyland 8.6 litre diesel engine in place of its original petrol engine. In this form it operated, latterly from Larbert depot, until April 1951 when it was sold to a showman at Inverlochy near Fort William.

After about a dozen years traveling to fairgrounds all over the North East it came to rest as a caravan near Keith, Banffshire where it was discovered in 1974 and purchased for restoration.

RESTORATION DETAILS

The vehicle when acquired was in a very derelict condition. The mechanics were complete although the radiator was missing but the body interior had been gutted and the frame was in an advanced state of decay.

Restoration work required stripping and refraiming all of the body except the front bulkhead, glazing and repanelling throughout. The interior was retrimmed and seats of a similar pattern to the original were acquired and fitted.

On the mechanical side, the braking system was completely overhauled and the shoes relined. The engine cylinder head was overhauled and other mechanical parts were used as necessary from a similar chassis purchased for spares. A radiator was finally located and fitted after considerable searching. Repainting was carried out to 1934 livery style.

The project took five years, being completed in 1982 and the bus is believed to be the oldest surviving Tiger in Scotland.