RVPT Forum

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774 was a coach acquired by Ribble sometime in the 1960's it was
fitted with some sort of new air suspension which I did not like at
all I only drove it once to Blackpool and swapped coaches with a
frind of mine when we got there who was madly in love with the coach )) .
Anyone know what happened to this coach I have never seen or heard of it since I left Ribble in the early 70's .

Ron .

Hi Ron
774 was unique in Ribble's fleet, it was a rear engined Leyland Panther, which was more common as a low entry bus [Prestons single deck fleet of the 1970's were Panthers] I think 774 may have been the first high floor model designed for coach use.
774 had a dual purpose body by Marshall again this was a little different as the floor line sloped upwards to the rear.
Photos of it with a Panther badge on it's grille at the 1964 commercial motor show are reproduced in a couple of books.
It was based at Preston much of it's life, but was not a reliable performer and spent lots of time in the garage.
The air suspension was an optional extra. Ribble had experience with the Gay Hostess and White lady atlanteans and the cavalier tour coaches with the Dunlop system used , I believe one of the Burlingham PD3's and an early Atlantean bus were fitted as test beds.
I travelled to school the odd time on 774 and as a schoolboy was taken by the floaty ride and remote engine noise, a bit more glam than the usual PD2.
I would have thought the electric change gears and surely lighter steering than a Leopard would make the driving experience a bit less labour intensive than a Leopard, even if you were about to throw up your full english breakfast by the time you wallowed into Blackpool !!
As to it's fate, it was withdrawn from service a little before it's similar aged Leopard shed mates, it passed to Norths the dealer at Leeds and sadly found no buyer and was scrapped there.
Hope that helps fill a few memory gaps.
Graham

Hi Graham from time to time memories of the one and only time
I drove 774 come flooding back at the time, I had only held a PSV
for less than a year and that journey from Preston garage to Blackpool Coliseum in 774 made me start to think that maybe I should have taken a change of underwear to work with me that day)))) .
I was very quick to see an inspector at Blackpool and get
authorization to change coaches with my very good friend Michael
Wilson who is now assistant manager at the transport museum in
Leyland.
The early early Atlantean buses especially the low bridge version I used to love to drive and could never get enough of them ) .
I am very sorry to here how 774 ended its days though and it great pity it was never bought by someone and preserved.
Regards .
Ron .