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 The last ones were built in 1934 when it was superceded by the Mancunian.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 Condor double deck bus
(Crossley Motors photograph from the Chris Heaps collection)

The first Condor bus (90401) delivered in 1930 with Crossley body.

Crossley Condor double deck bus
(Crossley Motors photograph from the David Plant collection)

One of the Condors supplied to Manchester Corporation Transport Department. This is 90447, one of the second batch.

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

Engine/gearbox/transmission

Body/chassis

capacity

6796 cc (38/110 petrol)
8360 cc (Gardner 6L2 diesel)
8369 cc (45/85 diesel)
9120 cc (48/100 diesel)

cylinders

6 cylinder monobloc

bore

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)

stroke

5 1/2 inches (139.7 mm) (petrol)
6 inch (152.4 mm) (Diesel)

compression ratio

15:1 (45/85)

RAC Horse Power

38.4 (petrol)
43.4 (45/85 and 6L2)
47.3 (48/100)

valves

side (petrol)

injection

direct
indirect (48/100 VR6)

max power

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)

fuel consumption (typical)

n/a

max speed (approx)

n/a

Gears

4 speed sliding mesh
pre-selector
mounted amidships

Clutch

dry plate

Rear axle

differential offset to off side (right)

 

wheelbase

16 feet 7 1/2 inches

length

n/a

width overall

n/a

weight

n/a

steering

cam and lever

suspension - front

semi elliptic springs

suspension -rear

semi elliptic springs

brakes

n/a

wheels/tyres

n/a

 

 

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© Malcolm Asquith 2006