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Accession
286 17/12/00 Registration number TDV217J
1970 Leyland Panther PSUR1B/1R with
Marshall B3000 B47D body.
Last of a batch of seven ordered by
Exeter City Transport prior to passing
to the National Bus Company, this
vehicle was delivered to the Devon
General fleet. On 1st January 1971 the
DG fleet became absorbed into the
Western National fleet. The Panther was
converted to a Publicity and Promotions
vehicle for the WN Group by May 1980 and
served in this role for no less than 20
years, during which period it carried
five different liveries in addition to
Exeter green and Devon General poppy
red. No 217 was donated to WHOTT by
First Western National in December 2000
and was restored by WHOTT members to
original Exeter livery. During its time
with WHOTT this vehicle has proved to be
an excellent shop window, promoting the
Trust and serving as a sales outlet.
Widely seen across the southwest, it has
attended events at Helston in the far
west and Southsea in Hampshire, as well
as Colerne in Wiltshire. It also made an
appearance at the London Bus Museum at
Brooklands. |
