Soudley Valley Leyland Tiger Cub WDF 569

1950s LIGHTWEIGHT SINGLE-DECKER BUS

The Tiger Cub was a lightweight chassis launched by Leyland in 1952 after criticism that its Royal Tiger was too heavy. Over 4500 Tiger Cubs were built by 1970, by which time the later Leopard chassis was very popular.

Independent bus companies outside the large groups were generally small and operated in thinly populated areas. Many used secondhand buses but some did buy new. Bevan Brothers (Soudley Valley Coaches) of Soudley, Cinderford, Gloucestershire, was a high quality operation and bought this Leyland Tiger Cub in May 1959. WDF 569 spent most of its 20 year life running services into Cinderford and Gloucester although its seats were fitted with headrests for private hire.

Preservation

The bus was received by the Museum in September 1980 and stored until restoration started. It was completed in 2000.