The Crossley DD42 double deck bus

The prototype of the "DD42" range of double deck buses was built in 1944 with production starting in 1945. The last ones were built in 1952. 1,114 were made in total.

Production can be split into several groups:

92901 to 92903 - 1944 - Prototypes with only 92901 completed. 8600 cc Crossley HOE7 engine.

93201 to 93900 - 1945 to 1947 - DD42/3. 7ft 6 inch wide.  8600 cc Crossley HOE7/1 direct injection engine. (251 made)

93901 to 94232 - 1947 and 1948 - DD42/4 8ft wide and DD42/5 7ft 6 in wide. 8600 cc Crossley HOE7/1 direct injection engine. (306 made)

94701 to 94799 - 1948 to 1950 - DD42/8 8ft wide and DD42/7 7ft 6 in wide. 8600 cc Crossley HOE7/4B direct injection engine. (200 made)

94800 to 95200 - 1948 to 1950 - DD42/8 8ft wide, DD42/6 and DD42/7 7ft 6 in wide. 8600 cc Crossley HOE7/4, 7/4B, and 7/5B direct injection engine. (300 made)

95301 to 95908 - 1950 to 1952 - DD42/8 and 8A 8ft wide and DD42/7 7ft 6 in wide. 8600 cc Crossley HOE7/5 direct injection engine. (58 made)

BODY STYLES

Crossley DD42 bus

The first production 8 foot wide DD42/4, as new, in 1947.
(chassis 93906)

Crossley DD42 bus

One of the DD42/3s supplied to Stockport.

The majority of DD42s had Crossley bodies but some chassis were supplied to other coachbuilders.

The engine used was the Crossley HOE7 8600 cc diesel with direct injection. The buses were made in two widths, the DD42/1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 were 7 feet 6 inches wide and the DD42/4, 8 and 8A were 8 feet wide.  There were no buses made designated  DD42/2. 

The chassis was priced at £1630 in 1950.

SPECIFICATION

Engine/gearbox/transmission
Body/chassis

capacity
8600 cc (Crossley HOE7 diesel)
cylinders
6 cylinder monobloc 
bore
4 1/2 inches (114.3 mm) 
stroke
5 1/2 inches (139.7 mm) 
compression ratio
15.6:1
RAC Horse Power
48.6
valves
overhead
injection
direct 
max power
100 bhp at 1750 rpm (HOE7/1, 2, 3 & 4)
114 bhp at 1750 rpm (HOE7/5)
fuel consumption (typical)
7 to 11 miles per gallon (imp)
max speed (approx)
n/a
acceleration 0-30 mph in 24.4 secs
Gears
4 speed constant mesh.
4 speed synchromesh.
Brockhouse Turbo transmitter.
Gearbox mounted in-unit with engine
Clutch
dry plate
Rear axle
differential offset to near side (left)

 

wheelbase
16ft 7.5 inches (5067 mm)
length
.
width overall
7ft 6 inches (2286) or 8ft (2438 mm)
weight
8 tons 2cwt (DD42/5)
steering type
Marles cam and double roller
suspension - front
semi elliptic springs
suspension -rear
semi elliptic springs (underslung)
brakes
vacuum asssited
wheels/tyres
twin wheels at rear

 

 

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© Malcolm Asquith 2008