Here we have a very nice Alexander T-type bodied Leyland Leopard, PRA109R, being driven by myself around parts of the Peak District in Derbyshire. We were running as part of a 4 vehicle convoy, which by coincidence were all Alexander bodied single deckers.
PRA109R was new to National Bus Company subsidiary, Trent Motor Traction, in October 1976 as fleet number 109. It later spent time with Lancaster City Transport, Chesterfield Transport (Whites of Calver), Stagecoach Bluebird and Silver Fox Coaches of Renfrew. It was acquired by members of the Chesterfield 123 Group in 2006, and restored into the Whites of Calver blue and yellow livery it previously carried. A very nice example of a vehicle being restored in a later livery rather than the usual as new.
I've not driven that many Leopards, as I didn't pass my test until most of them had long since gone. I have had a short drive of this one in the past, a few years ago, but without a camera on hand then ti film it. I thought I was jinxed, as my first attempt to film it during the daytime ended in failure, so I was very lucky to have been allowed to have another go, many thanks go to Shayne Howarth for making this happen.
Alexander T-type bodied vehicles are relatively rare compared with the much more common Y-type that was in production at the same time. It is even rare still having been supplied new to a company south of the Scottish border. It is a fairly utilitarian vehicle, and certainly unrefined, but all the better for it in my opinion. It makes all the right noises, including the direct-air gear selector and honking braking system, which most Leopards seemed to have.
This video is the edited highlights of my 45 minute drive from Castleton to the outskirts of Chesterfield. I was trying to keep up with the Tiger in front, but lost him in the end, and with this being a fairly high geared Leopard, I just couldn't catch up on the long Peak District hills!
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Enjoy!
30 дек 2021
