35308 WSLExclusive First Editions 36ft BET 6 Bay Leyland Leopard

35308 Exclusive First Editions 36ft BET 6 Bay Leyland Leopard Single Deck Bus in Southdown livery.

Southdown Motor Service LTD was created in 1915 midst the turbulence of WWI, it was formed by the joining of three major operators: Worthing Motor Services, London & South Coast Haulage Co and the country services of the Brighton, Hove & Preston United Omnibus Co.

Over the following years Southdown acquired many other smaller companies, which brought a diverse collection of vehicles into their fleet, though from the start they showed a preference for busses of Leyland manufacture, which would last until their acquisition in 1969 by the state owned National Bus Company.

Today Southdown lives on as part of the Stagecoach group, which still runs the Portsmouth to Brighton 700 ‘Coastline’ route and still uses some of Southdown’s original depots.

Southdown is remembered for many things, leading the field in British and Continental coach tours, their network of express services from London to the coastal towns of Hampshire and Sussex, but mostly for their fleet of pristine ‘cars’ decorated in a distinctive apple green and cream livery, which left a lasting impression on locals and holidaymakers alike.

To celebrate the centenary of Southdown, Bachmann Europe are delighted to offer this limited edition EFE collectors model. Each model features its own numbered certificate produced in a beautiful and unique design style. Our model depicts the preserved 36’ Marshal bodied Leyland Leopard BUF 122C, which first entered service with Southdown in 1965. Decorated in the classic livery, numbered 122 and shown working on route 18 to Brighton. This certificated EFE model will be a must have for all fans of historic buses, The Southdown Company and model bus collecting.