The Bristol LH

The LH was a Lightweight vehicle with an Horizontal engine mounted amidships. It first appeared in 1967 and was developed by Bristol to provide the NBC companies with a small and light chassis for rural operation. As it was available in a short ( LHS ) or long (LHL) version in addition to the standard length (LH) it was seen as not only a replacement for the SU but also for vehicles of other sizes. There was a choice of Leyland or Perkins engines.

The LH was the first type produced by Bristol Commercial Vehicles for direct open market competition and so sales were not restricted to the NBC. Most were fitted with manual gearboxes which were not that popular as at that time as other new vehicles were semi-automatics.

Several operators specified semi-automatic gearboxes.

Body work in bus and coach form was built by many firms, Alexander, Duple, ECW, East Lancs, Marshall, Northern Counties, Plaxtons, Weymann and Willowbrook.

Prototypes

Three were built

LHX001 NHU 100F LH6P ECW B43F 1967

LHX002 CJJ 44H LH6L Plaxtons B49F 1968

LHX003 MBO 1F LHS6L Weymann B30F 1968

Production

It is believed that 1985 chassis were built. 15 received non PSV bodies.

LHS numbers 101 - 408 were allocated but that of LH209 does not appear to have been built. All had PSV bodies

LH numbers 101 - 1605 were allocated, all but four were built with PSV bodies. One was built as a car transporter and the other three carried Vanplan pantechnicon bodies.

LHL numbers 101 - 274 were allocated and built. 11 received non-psv bodies by Marsden (4) or Vanplan (7)

Production ceased as follows

LHS : 1983 LHS408 CLJ 413Y (now preserved)

LH : 1980 LH1605 AFB 597V (believed preserved)

LHL : 1982 LHL274 VNC829X (fitted from new with a second hand pantechnicon body. )

Data

Model LHS   LH LHL
 
Overall length  25ft 6in  32ft 6in 36ft 0in
Overall width 7ft 6in to 8ft 2.5in 7ft 6in to 8ft 2.5in 7ft 6in to 8ft 2.5in
Wheelbase  12ft 6in  16ft 2in 18ft 6in
Front overhang 6ft 3in 6ft 3in 6ft 3in
Rear overhang 6ft 8in 6ft 8in 6ft 8in
Turning circle  52ft 65ft  69ft
Chassis weight 3,288kg 3,464kg 3,843kg
Max gvw 8,618kg 11,176kg 11,176kg
Max seats 37 45 57
Tyres 7.50-20 8.25-20 9.00-20
 
Steering Marles 680 cam and roller Burman re-circulating ball
Power assisted Burman specified for London Transport BL1 - BL95
 
Engine

LEYLAND 0401

6cyl., direct injection, diesel, 6.54 litres capacity with a power output of 125bhp at 2,400 rpm. Max output 138bhp .Torque 300 lbs feet at 1,600 rpm
 
PERKINS H6.354

6cyl. direct injection, diesel, 5.8 litres capacity with a power output of 101bhp at 2,800 rpm. Torque 230 lbs feet at 1,300 rpm
 

A few early chassis were fitted with Leyland 0400 engines, whilst a few of the last received the Leyland 0402 engine.
 
Radiator Front mounted of 7 gallons capacity
 
Transmission Clutch. Hydraulic Borg and Beck 15 inch single dry plate.
 

Gearbox. Turner-Clarke T5/400 five speed synchromesh with overdrive in 5th gear. (some London LH's had 4 speed gearboxes.)

Fluid flywheel 18inch diameter with a gearbox from Self Changing Gears, direct acting epicyclic with Bristol output gear train.
 
Final Drive B.M.C spiral bevel single reduction with fully floating half shafts
 
Suspension

Semi elliptical over slung multi-leaf springs, under frame, front axle, outsideframe, rear. Telescopic shock absorbers over front axle
 
Brakes Dual circuit air pressure drum. Spring fail-safe parking brake
 
Fuel tank 25 or 35 gallons

 
 

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