The National was born when the newly formed British Leyland Motors Holdings joined forces with the equally new National Bus Company to build a standard single decker that was suitable for all areas of the country. Hence its name.
The new bus was unveiled at the 1970 Commercial Motor Show at Earls Court and visitors took in its modular construction, Michelotti styling and distinctive roof-mounted ventilation pod. In a bid to level up the country’s economy, it was to be built at a brand new factory in Workington, which was suffering with the decline in the Cumberland steel industry. ERM35K was the first National to be handed over to an operator on March 13th 1972. Symbolically, it was Cumberland.
Model finished as Greater Manchester PTE Phase 1 Leyland National 1051/1R short body single door type, registration HNE647N in Manchester PTE orange and cream livery.
Please note - livery artworks are illustrative only, the body style and door type does not always correspond to prototype.