Hong Kong Front Engined Bus Collection
Hong Kong’s population drastic increased (3M in 1960 to 5M in 1980) in the late 70s due to instability in nearby Asia regions. The British Hong Kong Government had to find a way to accommodate such large amount of immigration, and they started building new public housing estates in rural areas and on the hills due to limited land resources.
Bus companies in Hong Kong, found that their rear engined Fleetlines were overheating on the hilly territories, and they were too slow on the newly-built motoways. Both CMB and KMB would like a front-engined double decker that could be one-man operated, carries over 100 passengers, less likely to overheat and runs quick enough on the motorway.
Leyland were proud with their rear-engined OMO buses, Fleetline and Atlantean, and reluctant to go back to front-engined models.
1975 – Volvo Ailsa B55
CMB purchased the first Volvo Ailsa in Hong Kong (AV1- 9.8m UK spec), They later bought 7 dual door 10.3 version, and 2 tri-axle 12m version in 80s (only 3 in the world). However, the Scottish manufacturer underestimated the humidity and high heat in sub-tropical Asian cities and electrical fire were a common scene. 6 out of 10 Ailsa were burnt down from 1979-1988.
1976 – Guy Victory J
KMB found that South African bus body builder BUSAF, would put a double decker body on the front-engined sigle-deck Guy Victory J. They immediately bought 4 from them. But the bus was a little bit taller than UK/HK standard and the handling was poor.
1977 – Dennis Jubilant
Dennis decided to come back to the bus market after 11 years (probably their best decision). They found that KMB were struggling to find a new front-engined OMO double decker, so they made their dream came true. 4 Dennis Jubilant prototype, with KMB designed body and BACo parts, were born. KMB were very happy with the result and immediately placed their first order of 50 buses with Alexander body, including an Air-Con prototype.
1978 – Leyland Victory Mk2
Now Leyland is stunned, and maybe started panicking. The Dennis Jubilant seems to be a great success and Leyland’s market share is dropping in the far east. Fortunately to Leyland, they have acquired Guy, and they attempted to win back their customers by improving the Victory J model. And therefore, the Leyland Victory Mk2 was born.
The Leyland Victory Mk2 were quicker, and have a good handling. However, in the 1980s, people found that the bus would easily flip itself when you make a sharp turn at high speed, due to a design fault. Bus companies then started to replace them with newer rear-engined buses on motorway routes.
Fun fact:
The word "Guy" were pronounced very similar to "chicken" in Cantonese. Drivers and enthusiasts started to call Guy Victory and Leyland Victory "Chicken". Some genius then came up with a poultry naming system with these front engined OMO buses. Jubilant was nicked named "Duck" and the slightly bigger Ailsa B55 was "Goose"…… and after loads of fire incidents on the Ailsa, they were sarcastically named "Roasted Goose".
