A Historic Lineup
The superb line-up of eight vehicles restored to their original state by many years of work by Mike Sutcliffe.
In the foreground is: P5
1921 G Reg. C 2367 Chassis No. 9961 Engine: Leyland S5.36hp 4 cyl Petrol Gearbox: Leyland 4 speed manual Body:
1921 Phoenix 43-seaterOpen top DD Bus (Ash frame, ply-backed aluminium panels) The Model G Leyland chassis was originally called the War Office Class A Subsidy and it is identical to the thousands produced by Leyland Motors during WW1. This bus was delivered new in 1921 toTodmorden Corporation,Yorkshire, with a body built inTodmorden by the Sutcliffe Bros (no immediate relation) who traded as the Phoenix Cabinet & Joinery Co. Mike's family originate from Todmorden and when the remains were found, totally derelict in a hedge in Essex in 1974, he could not resist the challenge of rescuing it for preservation - it was his first Leyland restoration, completed in 1984, now 24 years ago! The engine, gearbox and rear wheels were found in Percy Volkes' scrapyard in Sussex where the engine had been submerged in a lake since 1938. When the sump was removed, you couldn't even see the crankshaft because the engine was full of silt; the pistons had to be removed using two 6-ton hydraulic jacks but, after cleaning all the parts, the only work needed was to grind in the valves - a tribute to Leyland's magnificent engineering quality!
Entered by Mr. MA.. Sutcliffe M.B.E. of Totternhoe, Beds.
© Leyland Society, 2008