Created 21-Jun-19
Modified 8-Mar-24
Following the policy for single-deck buses, Rhondda also moved from the Royal Tiger to the lighter Tiger Cub chassis for their next two batches of coaches. Both used the PSUC1/2 model chassis intended for coach bodies, in particular it allowed a boot to be incorporated.
The first batch came in 1957 and had Strachans Everest bodies, a design produced in relatively low numbers. The coachbuilders full name at the time was Strachans Successors Ltd and the company went back to 1928 and the dissolution of the Strachan and Brown partnership. Rhondda had previously bought three Daimler Y types with Strachan and Brown bodies back in 1922 but as far as I can ascertain no other bodies came from the company in its various forms. 357-359 (UNY 8-10) had C41C bodies and introduced a rather attractive maroon, red and cream coach livery which, however, remained unique to the three vehicles. By the 1959 season on they had received a mainly cream livery with a red central band, later featuring a red skirt towards the end of their life.
All three were withdrawn in 1964 and replaced by the Bedford VALs. They were sold via North's and soon found further use, with 359 (UNY 10) being exported.
The second trio of Tiger Cubs arrived in 1959 and featured Weymann's classic 'Fanfare' body. 360-362 (XTG 360-362) had C41F bodies and replaced the AEC Regal coaches which had actually been withdrawn the previous year. They carried a cream and red livery with the red being initially above and below the side windows with a flash at the front. Later on a red skirt was also added and a final development was the loss of much of the bright moulding at skirt level. 360-362 were withdrawn in 1969 and like the earlier Tiger Cub coaches, found new homes quickly through North's.
© David Beilby
