MARTIN S. CURTIS
A detailed history of the Leyland/Volvo Olympian by successful road transport author, Martin Curtis. The Leyland Olympian was probably the last mass-market double-deck bus produced in the UK with several thousand constructed both for the domestic and export market. Apart from the UK, significant sales for the type occurred in, for example, Hong Kong, where a three-axle version was hugely successful. The Olympians origins date back to the 1970s with Leyland looking to build upon the earlier B15 (the integrated Titan bought in large numbers by London Transport) and the B45 project (effectively the replacement for the Bristol VR). The first of the Olympians was constructed in 1980, with customers ranging from many of the PTEs, through to municipal operators, constituents of the National Bus Company, with large numbers later supplied to London Transport. Under Leyland, the bulk of the production was handled at the companys Workington factory but, in 1988, Leyland Bus was acquired by Volvo and production was subsequently shifted to Volvos factory at Irvine in Scotland. Production of the type ceased in 2000 although many, including some in London, remain in service. This exciting new book provides a definitive history of the Leyland Olympian, one of Britains most significant buses. Written by Bristol Lodekka author Martin Curtis, the book contains a wealth of 175 mono and colour photographs with detailed and informative captions. This book will deserve a place on every enthusiasts bookshelf!
