AEC Reliance

The AEC Reliance bus is a model of the British manufacturer AEC in Southall, West London, England. The model was produced 1953-1979. A total of over 8000 buses of this type were built. The name was already in use 1928-1931 for an earlier model of this manufacturer.

In 1953, two prototypes were produced. The set up of Duple was made ​​, the other by Park Royal Vehicles. The serial production began in 1954 and ran from 1981.

During the production period, the original chassis with a length of 9.14 m to 10.9 m at first (1962) and later at 12 m was extended. For use various diesel engines were 7.7 to 12.4 liters. The engine was installed underfloor between the axles. Were used synchronized transmission of AEC and ZF as well as a semi-automatic transmission of AEC. Bodies were delivered next duple and Park Royal Vehicles by Marshall and Weymann Motor Bodies. When building largely customer-specific requirements have been taken into account, as in the UK, however, a passenger door was usually only available at the front.

The Reliance was during its production time in competition with the Leyland Tiger Cub and Leyland Leopard, although the company AEC was taken over in 1962 by Leyland Motors. From 1966, lost both the Reliance and the Leopard market share to the Volvo B58.

In the 2000s were still some buses of this type in public transport on the island of Malta in use.

Rolling stock

AEC Reliance Burlingham MU3R with construction of a city bus, built in 1956, 43 seats

AEC Reliance 2U3R with construction of Marshall as a city bus, built in 1965, 53 seats

AEC Reliance 6U3ZR with Y- Construction of Alexander as a multi-purpose bus, built in 1969, 57 seats

AEC Reliance 6U3ZR with panoramic elite structure of Plaxton as coach, built in 1971, 53 seats