The Crossley
"Mancunian" double and single-deck buses
The "Mancunian" range of double and single-deck buses were introduced in 1933. The last ones were built in 1941.
Production can be split into six groups:
91701 to 91842 - 1933 to 1935 - Double-deck. 9120 cc VR6 engine or Gardner 6LW.
91901 to 91925 - 1934 - Single-deck.(sometimes listed as Alphas). 9120 cc VR6 engine
91926 to 91947 - 1937 and 1939 - "Streamline" single-deck. 8365 cc VR6 Type 2 engine
92201 to 92294 - 1935 to 1936 - Double-deck. 8365 cc VR6 Type 2 engine
92501 to 92853 (some never made) - 1938 to 1941 - "Streamline" double-deck. 8365 cc VR6 Type 2 engine or Gardner 5LW.
BODY STYLES
A standard Mancunian using a Metro-Cammell type metal framed body. This is chassis number 92221 from 1936 for Warrington Corporation.
The first Streamliner body on Mancunian chassis in November 1936.
One of the Crossley bodied single deck Mancunians supplied to Manchester Corporation.
The majority of Mancunians had Crossley bodies but chassis were supplied to other coachbuilders.
Engines used were the Crossley VR6 9120 cc diesel with Ricardo indirect injection, the short stroke VR6 Type 2 of 8356 cc with Ricardo Comet III indirect injection and the Gardner 5LW and 6LW direct injection diesels.
The chassis was priced at £1350 in 1937 for the single decker and £1400 in 1938 for the double decker.
SPECIFICATION
8365 cc (Crossley VR6 diesel)
8369 cc (Gardner 6LW diesel)
6974 cc (Gardner 5LW diesel)
6 cylinder monobloc (6LW)
5 cylinder monobloc (5LW)
4 ¼ inches (108 mm) (6LW and 5LW)
5 ½ inch (139.7 mm) (8365cc VR6)
6 inches (152.4 mm) (6LW and 5LW)
47.3 (8365 cc VR6)
(6LW)
(5LW)
direct (5LW, 6LW)
93.5 bhp at 1750 rpm (8365cc VR6)
99 bhp at 1700 rpm (8365cc VR6 with Ricardo Comet head from 1938)
102 bhp at 1700 rpm (6LW)
85 bhp at 1700 rpm (5LW)
Constant mesh optional from 1938.
Pre-selector.
Mounted in-unit with engine
17 feet 7 inches (5359 mm) (single decker)