Leyland Leopard 465 arrived on the Island March 24th, for preservation by prolific preservationist John Davis. The 36-foot-long vehicle had been towed (engine running to provide brakes) to Heysham behind a PD2 tow bus, and was driven on to the Ben-My-Chree before making the short journey to former TOURS depot at Summer Hill.
The vehicle is the latest preserved UK vehicle to arrive on the Island, joining former London Transport LS434 National BYW 434V owned by David Callister, and the Cunningham Collection Routemaster KGJ 621D, now at Jurby set for exhibition and the upcoming Isle of Man Motor Museum.
The vehicle is a 1963 Leyland Leopard PSU3/1R fitted with a B53F "BET'-style single deck body by Marshall of Cambridge. It is essentially a longer version of John's other Ribble Leopard 665.
The Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust records: "Like many operators Ribble embraced the 36 foot saloon when such vehicles became legal on the road from 1962. For almost the first time Ribble chose a BET standard design instead of their own or a manufacturer standard. Between 1963 and 1967 190 similar looking buses of this type entered the fleet. Marshall bodied the majority but 60 had Weymann bodies. Earlier examples had synchromesh gearboxes while later ones had semi automatic air boxes. There were also 55 similar looking buses of a shorter length with PSU4 chassis. Finally, Ribble also bought many dual purpose vehicles with the same body shell – see our 811
Delivered in overall red they soon became a familiar sight throughout Ribble territory. Many replaced double deckers, especially 53 seat low bridge types which had the same number of seats. They were particularly useful to the operating department in the summer when used a reliefs to express services, being a considerable improvement on low bridge PD2s in this respect. Conversely they were hard going on twisty country roads in rural areas.
465 entered service in June 1963 and was allocated to Blackburn's George Street garage where it stayed until 1970. By January that year it was at Southport before moving to Preston in mid 1975. By March 1977 it was at Skerton (Lancaster) depot where it remained. It was converted to act as a tow bus and that ensured its longevity being finally withdrawn in 1982. That was not the end of its association with Lancaster as it was acquired for towing by Lonsdale PSV Sales. After another 10 years it joined the RVPT collection.
Although safely stored undercover it was not on the short term list for restoration. In early 2015 RVPT member John Davis from the Isle of Man offered to take it and fully restore it. John already owns 665, a short Leopard. The Trust has accepted this offer and the bus will move to the island for restoration with a target of 2019, Ribble's centenary year."
David Callister's National undergoing renovation at Summerhill Depot.
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