Plaxton Panorama Elite

The name Plaxton Panorama Elite called the British manufacturer Plaxton an omnibus structure in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. The structures were manufactured from 1968 to 1975. A variant with wider, double door doors was built as a Plaxton Elite Express. All variants are Gemeinhim called Plaxton Elite. Predecessor was the Plaxton Panorama I, successor to the Plaxton Supreme. A total of around 6,000 bodies were produced. Together with the Duple Dominant Company Duple Coachbuilders they were the ubiquitous bus models in Britain in the 1970s. Some buses with elite construction are currently still in public transport on the island of Malta in use.

The Plaxton Elite had curved sides and a double arched front and rear, while front and rear window were the same. The body of the windscreen was slightly retracted. The length has been emphasized by up to four chrome trim, grille and headlights were encased in a dominant chromium mask. The design of the chrome mask part was performed by the predecessor Panorama I. There were several body lengths 11-12 m length available.

In the version Elite I, the emergency exit was directly behind the driver's seat. The corresponding window and the window behind the Einsteigstür on the opposite side were smaller and had a lower height than the rest of the side window. The two chrome strips on each side ran together to the rear. The circular rear lights are disposed vertically. Normally was under the rear window of a backlit display to display the name of the bus company.

The version of Elite II had a more squarer bezel headlights and grille. The small side windows have been adjusted in height to the other side window.

The front of the Elite version III resembled largely the Elite II Only the target display was surrounded by a square chrome frame. The two round taillights were replaced by a single, vertical, diamond-shaped rear light. The side chrome strips were designed in different versions depending on customer requirements. The position of the first Notaustieges remained behind the driver's seat, but has been moved further in the course of the series to the rear.

All three variants were also produced the Express configuration with wider, two-piece doors. Thus, the buses could be used as a cost-saving cross-country as well as city bus.

For some customers, a smaller version was built with 2.3 m width.

For superstructures on the chassis Bristol chassis due to the location of the radiator and the fan was no room for the usual target display. This was therefore assembled in a recess above the windshield. This version was known as Bristol Dome and later also used in constructions in other chassis.

The structure was placed on chassis from various manufacturers, including:

Plaxton Elite, Bedford chassis 466

Plaxton Elite III chassis Bedford RI

Plaxton Elite II, used for the Magical Mystery Tour in Liverpool

Scarborough, North Yorkshire Bedford Vehicles Bedford VAL Ford R-Series
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