Guy Wulfrunian
Encyclopedia
The Guy Wulfrunian was a front-engine double-decker bus
chassis
produced by Guy
from 1959 to 1965.
, and, of 137 vehicles built, 126 went to West Riding (6 more were acquired second hand). Single vehicles were tried by operators in Lancashire
, Wolverhampton
and West Wales
, but this did not lead to any further orders. After maintenance and reliability issues, West Riding cancelled an order for a further 25 vehicles.
The cost of developing the vehicle, combined with the lack of sales, led to an enormous losses for Guy, who first went into receivership in 1961, before finally ceasing production for UK bus market in 1969.
and the Daimler Fleetline
, in that it combined a front entrance and a front engine (other operators were favouring rear-engined vehicles).
This was the first bus to have air suspension
, disc brakes and independent front suspension. The engine, a 10.45-litre Gardner 6LX, was located beside the driver, with the front axle moved back to create space for the entrance. However, the use of so many untested features led to reliability issues, particularly with the brakes and suspension.
In most of the Wulfrunians built, the staircase was situated on the nearside of the vehicle, immediately behind the entrance; to accommodate this the four piece folding entrance doors were of different sizes. The nearside rearward ascending staircase gave the driver full view of the stairwell. In the lower saloon, after the area taken up for the staircase, the first twin seat faced rearwards, and gave a cosy, relaxed feel to the interior.
Two demonstrators were built, 7800DA and 8072DA, both vehicles were painted in Wolverhampton Wanderers colours of yellow and black. 7800DA had several more seats than 8072DA.
The majority of vehicles were fitted with Roe
bodies.
Double-decker bus
A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or 'decks'. Global usage of this type of bus is more common in outer touring than in its intra-urban transportion role. Double-decker buses are also commonly found in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and former British colonies and protectorates...
chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
produced by Guy
Guy Motors
Guy Motors was a British company based in Fallings Park, Wolverhampton that made cars, lorries, buses, and trolleybuses.-History:Guy Motors Ltd was founded in 1914 by Sydney Guy who had been the Works Manager of nearby Sunbeam. A factory was built on the site at Fallings Park, Wolverhampton...
from 1959 to 1965.
History
The Wulfrunian was developed jointly by Guy and the West Riding Automobile CompanyWest Riding Automobile Company
The West Riding Automobile Company, under the fleet name of West Riding, was a bus company that served the Wakefield area of Yorkshire, England from 1923.-Company history:...
, and, of 137 vehicles built, 126 went to West Riding (6 more were acquired second hand). Single vehicles were tried by operators in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
and West Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, but this did not lead to any further orders. After maintenance and reliability issues, West Riding cancelled an order for a further 25 vehicles.
The cost of developing the vehicle, combined with the lack of sales, led to an enormous losses for Guy, who first went into receivership in 1961, before finally ceasing production for UK bus market in 1969.
The vehicle
The Wulfrunian was introduced at the Commercial Motor Show in 1958 as a "concept" vehicle designed for one man bus services (i.e. without a conductor). However, it was unusual compared to other developments at the time, such as the Leyland AtlanteanLeyland Atlantean
The Leyland Atlantean is a model of double-decker bus built by Leyland in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1986....
and the Daimler Fleetline
Daimler Fleetline
The Daimler Fleetline is a rear-engined double-decker bus chassis built between 1960 and 1973 in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, and from 1973 until 1980 in Farington, Lancashire, England. However, the last complete vehicle did not enter service until 1983...
, in that it combined a front entrance and a front engine (other operators were favouring rear-engined vehicles).
This was the first bus to have air suspension
Air suspension
Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an engine driven or electric air pump or compressor. This pump pressurizes the air, using compressed air as a spring. Air suspension replaces conventional steel springs. If the engine is left off for an extended period, the car will settle...
, disc brakes and independent front suspension. The engine, a 10.45-litre Gardner 6LX, was located beside the driver, with the front axle moved back to create space for the entrance. However, the use of so many untested features led to reliability issues, particularly with the brakes and suspension.
In most of the Wulfrunians built, the staircase was situated on the nearside of the vehicle, immediately behind the entrance; to accommodate this the four piece folding entrance doors were of different sizes. The nearside rearward ascending staircase gave the driver full view of the stairwell. In the lower saloon, after the area taken up for the staircase, the first twin seat faced rearwards, and gave a cosy, relaxed feel to the interior.
Two demonstrators were built, 7800DA and 8072DA, both vehicles were painted in Wolverhampton Wanderers colours of yellow and black. 7800DA had several more seats than 8072DA.
The majority of vehicles were fitted with Roe
Charles H. Roe
Charles H. Roe Ltd. was a Yorkshire coachbuilding company. It was for most of its life based at Crossgates Carriage Works, in Leeds.In 1947 it was taken over by Park Royal Vehicles. Two years later, along with its parent, it became part of Associated Commercial Vehicles in 1949, which was merged...
bodies.