The Crossley
"Condor" double deck buses
The "Condor" range of double deck buses was introduced in
1930. The last ones were built in 1934 when it was superceded by the Mancunian.
152 petrol engined chassis were produced with numbers 90401 to 90403 and 90406
to 90500 between 1930 and 1931 and 90701 to 90757 between 1931 and 1932.
214 diesel versions were made. Chassis numbers 90468, 90481 and 90498 were fitted with
45/85 diesel engines as trial vehicles. Numbers 90501 to 90503 were fitted with Gardner 6L2
engines in 1930. For the main production run
90801 to 90900 were made between 1930 and 1932,
91001 to 91100 between 1932 and 1933 and 91401 to 91408 in 1934.
A single 3 axle model with Wilson pre-selector gearbox numbered 91301 was made as a demonstrator in 1934.
BODY STYLES
(Crossley Motors photograph from the Chris Heaps collection)
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The first Condor bus (90401) delivered in 1930 with Crossley body.
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(Crossley Motors photograph from the David Plant collection)
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One of the Condors supplied to Manchester Corporation Transport
Department. This is 90447, one of the second batch.
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Engines used were the Crossley 38/110 six cylinder petrol engine, the Gardner 6L2,
the Crossley 45/85 direct injection diesel, the Crossley 48/100 direct injection diesel,
and in the 91400 range the Crossley VR6 diesel with Ricardo indirect injection.
The chassis was priced at £1230 in 1930.
SPECIFICATION
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Engine/gearbox/transmission
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Body/chassis
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capacity
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6796 cc (38/110 petrol)
8360 cc (Gardner 6L2 diesel)
8369 cc (45/85 diesel)
9120 cc (48/100 diesel)
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cylinders
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6 cylinder monobloc
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bore
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4 inches (101.6 mm) (petrol)
4 1/4 inches (108 mm) (45/85 and 6L2)
4 7/16 inches (112.7 mm) (48/100)
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stroke
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5 1/2 inches (139.7 mm) (petrol)
6 inch (152.4 mm) (Diesel)
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compression ratio
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15:1 (45/85)
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RAC Horse Power
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38.4 (petrol)
43.4 (45/85 and 6L2)
47.3 (48/100)
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valves
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side (petrol)
overhead (Diesel)
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injection
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direct
indirect (48/100 VR6)
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max power
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90.5 bhp at 2000 rpm (petrol)
74 bhp at 1300 rpm (6L2)
85 bhp at 1800 rpm (45/85)
100 bhp at 1800 rpm (early 48/100)
88.5 bhp at 1600 rpm (late 48/100)
90 bhp at 1600 rpm (VR6)
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fuel consumption (typical)
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Diesel - 9.3 mpg (30 litres/100 km)
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max speed (approx)
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n/a
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Gears
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4 speed sliding mesh
mounted
amidships
ratios - 1:1, 1.43:1, 2.56:1,3.68:1
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Clutch
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single dry plate
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Rear axle
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differential offset to off side (right)
ratio 5.75:1
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wheelbase
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16 feet 7 1/2 inches (5067 mm)
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length
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25 feet 11 inches (7900 mm)
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width overall
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n/a
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weight
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chassis - 4 tons 3 cwt (4200 kg)
body - 2 tons 10 cwt (2500 kg)
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| track | front - 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm)
rear - 5 feet 10 inches (1778 mm) |
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steering
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cam and lever
turning circle - 60 feet (18.3 metres)
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suspension - front
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semi elliptic springs
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suspension -rear
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semi elliptic springs
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brakes
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vacuum assisted 17 inch 432 mm) drums.
Handbrake operates rear drums only.
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wheels/tyres
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n/a
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RETURN TO CROSSLEY PRE
WAR BUSES
© Malcolm Asquith 2010