A ride around Dover in a Leyland National. 

I love the sounds of this bus, i miss it was always my favourite. And I remember back in winter it was always lwarm on that back seat a real character been a fan since i was kid

I just love Leyland Nationals. It all started when I was stood at a bus stop in September1992 and the mk1 Nationals were pulling up at the bus stop across the road, and as soon as I heard that tick over, that was it, I was hooked and then longed to be a passenger on one. I can't believe more than 20 years on, I'm still hooked.

I can't believe this beautiful old bus is nearly 42 years old now.

Part of the soundtrack to my childhood years in Dover! I remember that distinctive Leyland National sound very clearly. We used to joke that there was a little man peddling away like mad inside that vent at the back end. I used to find all that hissing and whining quite alarming. When the engine was just ticking over it made what we called a "glugging" sound. Me and my friends were a bit eccentric. Most of these buses were in red East Kent livery, but after the company was privatised they adopted the retro maroon and cream colour scheme with the EK logo. Me and my similarly eccentric schoolmates would use the free courtesy buses operated by the local ferry companies to make pointless journeys between Dover Priory station, Dover Western Docks station, the International Hoverport and the Eastern Docks. The drivers didn't seem to mind that we were not genuine cross-Channel travellers. The ferry buses had the additional set of doors in the centre of the carriage. I recall the majority had tan coloured faux leather bench seating. Some were reupholstered with patterned velour. The remarkable thing about these incredibly noisy vehicles is they were bolted together like old liners. Thus repairs were relatively easy to carry out; just removing damaged panels and slotting new ones in their place. And, of course the much hated Pacer train was based on this design. God, I can't believe the useless knowledge I retain in my head!

For several years we had NPD146L and NPD154L in Portsmouth. Both were single door versions. I rode on them in 1994 and 1996 and loved sitting on the back seat listening to that 510 engine scream. Nothing will beat that experience.

Years ahead of their time

In 1995, when leaving Dover after getting off the ferry, I remember seeing a few mk1 Nationals on the L registration in use within the port itself. I was quite pleased to see this, even though in my home town they were still in regular use. I always thought all the NPD ones (ex London County) were single door so maybe this one has been converted to dual door. Some of the gear changes are a bit abrupt and at 4:30, that 510 is really being ragged. I hope it doesn't throw a rod through the block.

For her age she is a fantastic bus to ride in and drive. I know they weren't particularly popular when introduced (is anything new?) bus they were certainly ahead of their time.

Nice soundtrack. You do sit quite low in a National. Still looks good👍

Beautiful bus

There's another ex London Country NPD one about that was for sale last year - although that was a Greenway.

East Kent bought some and converted them to duel door for the docks service. At 4.30 the bus is climbing up the notorious Jubilee Way out of Dover - quite a long hard slog for an old girl like this!

We had some of her sisters (NPD141L etc) at Tring Garage, brand new, back around `72. 45 still sounds the same, but where did the centre doors and the moquete seats come from. She must have had a refurb at some time. I though all the old London Country Nationals had bit the dust.

She sure is a screamer, but they were the most fun. I still miss driving them.

Well she's coping pretty well indeed. These mk1s were pretty quick in day I guess and even by today's standards would leave a Dennis Dart behind.

That is a lot of thrash from one bus!

Ah ha yes, that's only because she was coming up Jubilee Way out of Dover which is pretty steep, but yes, some of the gear changes certainly do bump a bit!

driving the old girl a bit hard!!!!!!!!

لؤش ماتعيدون باصات الليلند بكل انواعه بربطانيه الي االخدمه بدل volvoالسويديه

surprised that didn't go bang going up Jubilee Way.. even up that hill there's no excuse for making it scream like that..