Last week we reviewed one of Australia’s most iconic intercity/touring coaches; the GM Denning Mono. This week let’s look at the bus that had the unenviable job of replacing it.
Denning knew it had a hit with the Mono, and took a careful and measured approach in designing its replacement. It kept most of the Mono’s proven features, and made improvements to its few imperfections. Starting with the styling, it got rid of the notched roof replacing it with a smooth flat surface from front to rear, with a slight curve downward near the front windshield. The old separate visible pillared windows were blacked out and the fluted stainless steel siding was axed. These updates improved not only its appearance but its aerodynamics as well.
Standard powerplant was GM’s Silver 6V92TTA with 350 hp and 1020 ft. lbs. of torque. Optional was the 8V92TA with 435 hp and 1252 ft. lbs. Transmissions were a 6-speed Spicer manual or an Allison automatic.
Hi-Screen
Hi-Deck
Double-Deck
Denning soon offered two additional versions to the standard model; first were the Hi-Screen and Hi-Deck, which raised the front windshield up to a flat straight roof. More extensive was the “Double-Deck” – a true double-decker, with a 500 hp version of the 8V92TA.
While these coaches were as popular as ever, Denning as a company was having some challenges. In 2004 the company’s founder, Alan Denning retired and sold the business. It has since transferred a number of times but exists today as “Custom Denning” and produces the Endeavour urban transit bus and the Adventurer touring coach. It just recently introduced a BEV model, the Element.
Adventurer
BEV Element
Fun fact: How did Denning come up with the “Landseer” name? One theory is that it’s a mish-mash of “land-seeing”, but the more accepted one is Landseer is the name of the street where the Denning plant at Acacia Ridge, Queensland, was located.
More great research and pics Jim, on the evolution of the Denning intercity coach. I actually preferred the earlier Buffalo-style notched roof. More classic and iconic, if dated. These designs appearing, somewhat more homogeneous.
Pretty ambitious to build a double decker in a somewhat limited market. I wonder how many they built. They just have not caught on much, certainly not in the US.