AEC » Matador Articulated Bus

Semi-trailer buses in Australia were a superb alternative, high capacity people mover, which became popular during the second world war when double deck chassis could not be obtained from Britain. While semi-trailers trucks went on to become highly developed for freight transport, it was the walk-through "bendy" articulated bus that subsequently became the passenger carrying alternative. The Semi-Trailer bus body is of timber frame construction and was built by Parramatta Bus Co., Northmead, N.S.W. in December 1947. An A.E.C. Matador (model O853) was the original prime mover used to pull the trailer body. Choice of tractor unit was determined more by availability of war surplus stock than the need for a particularly rugged design. The chassis of the 4x4 AEC Matador was shortened in the company's workshop and fitted with a coach-built can to match the profile of the company-built 11.4 metre semi-trailer. The prime mover receved the design in a style of semi trailer. I know about 4 such trucks which were operator-built. One problem experienced in service was the difficulty in drawing the complete unit close to the curb at bus stops; there were also several reported incidents of semi-trailer buses drawing away from bus stops with the conductor still on the kerb.

Matador Articulated BusMatador Articulated Bus
Copyright to
northernblue109.fotopic
  1. Garry Luck
    2011-03-16 23:56:40

    The digitally coloured image is my work, which has been added without my permission. However as it is here it may as well stay. The source image was unfortunately of poor quality so this isn't one of my better pieces of work. The fotopic collection to which the view has been credited is currently unavailable and I am currently transferring all my work to www.flickr.com/photos/northernblue109.

Follow us

Database search

Brand:

Country:

Type:
 

Unknown models:


Do you know? View all »

Recent Comments:

Ashok Leyland » ALRD 20

I want to buy Ashok Leyland Alrd-20

AEC » Militant MkI ( model O859 / O860 )

The Coles crane in pic 24 is of great interest,I drove one of these Mk.4s in Germany back in 1970-71,it was nt in this colour scheme though!.Is this crane still around?.rnAlan

Ashok Leyland » Stallion MkIII / MkIV

I want sensor diagram and function about sensor bs111 military vehicles

Ashok Leyland » Stallion MkIII / MkIV

Please send me tecnical data als mk-4abs