In 1974 there was a change to the NBC standardisation project in favour of increased modernisation. This allowed the introduction of the Leyland Atlantean AN68/1R with a Park Royal body (a standard adopted by London Country). Southdown received 47 such vehicles and they did look very smart. Many worked on the Coastliner and Solenteer, longer distance, limited stop services from Portsmouth (to Brighton and Southampton respectively). It is a case of “what might have been” had the NBC not imposed their policies – perhaps Southdown might have taken this vehicle as the next standard after the Titan PD3/4s?
The changeover years….