1950's South Works Parade

 


South Works Parade


Our thanks go to Mr. Terry Margetts for sending in this picture, which he discovered while going through some old family photos.
It shows a group of newly constructed vehicles on the South Works Parade and was probably taken in the early to mid 1950's.
Terry's father, Mr. F.W. Margetts, was assistant chief engineer from 1950 until the mid 60's, retiring about 1974.
If anyone can suggest what the two vehicles either side of the "Mouth-organ" fronted lorry are, we would be interested to hear.

Click  here  for a larger version of the picture.





Since the plea for more information on this picture, we have received an email from Anthony Wilson who wrote in:

I noticed with great interest the picture taken at Leyland Motors which was sent in to you by Mr. Terry Margetts whose father was assistant chief engineer in the 50`s. I worked at Leyland Motors from 1953 until 1959, during my last two years I was in the Road Test section of the Research, or as it was called, the Proving Department. Much of my time was spent on the development of disc brakes, pneumocyclic transmissions and road applications of turbochargers using prototype PD3, Worldmaster and Atlantean chassis.
I believe that I can identify all the vehicles in the picture, bearing in mind that Leyland Motors ceased all production of bus bodies at the end of 1954, double deckers being the last types that were produced.

Looking at the picture from left to right:
1] Two of the last batches of DD bodies on PD2 chassis.
2] Weymann bodied Tiger Cub demonstrator.
3] The first SARO bodied Tiger Cub demonstrator.
4] A second SARO bodied Tiger Cub.
5] Alexander bodied Tiger Cub Demonstrator.
Both SARO & ALEXANDER produced special lightweight Bodies for the TIGER CUB
6] Tiger Cub chassis fitted with protection screens and small windscreen for delivery drivers taking chassis to the body builders from Leyland.
7] Leyland Heavy goods cab front on either Beaver, Hippo or Octopus chassis, cannot see the frame or axles. These cabs Were being built in the former bus body shops.
8] Identical to no:6 both were probably Tiger Cubs not Royal Tigers because the photo exercise seems to be about Cubs.
9] One of the early versions of the Leyland MARTIAN recovery vehicle and artillery tractor for the army, production versions made at Farington were fitted with cabs.
10] Comet 90 normal control goods chassis/cab.
11] PD2/20 double deck chassis for BMMO and later for Edinburgh Corporation and others.