1973 Leyland Atlantean

Type of Vehicle - Bus
Year Built/Registered - 1973
Vehicle Description - Leyland Atlantean
Reg No - HGD 903L
Fleet No - LA 697
Livery/Operator - Greater Glasgow Passenger Transport Executive

Chassis: Leyland 7301503
Type: AN68/1R DD
Body: Alexander Atlantean AL25/4570/47
Seating: H45/31F

HGD 903L was new to Glasgow Corporation Transport in June 1973 and delivered in the final GCT livery.

Re-painted to Greated Glasgow Passenger Transport Executive livery in July 1973, LA 697 was one of the first Atlanteans to receive the new Verona Green lower panels, Goldcup Yellow between decks, with Snowdrift White for window surrounds and roof. The stylised 'GG' logo was applied to the forward Goldcup Yellow side panels.

Issued to Newlands garage in June 1973, LA 697 was transferred to Parkhead in July 1973, to Gartcraig in April 1977 and Possilpark in April 1980.

Upon conversion to driver training in September 1980, LA 697 was painted all over White and in June 1990 received the Strathclyde Buses driver recruitment livery.

As a driver trainer, LA 697 was based in Knightswood from September 1980 and transferred to Larkfield in April 1982, back to Knightswood in August 1986 and finally returning to Larkfield in May 1996.

HGD 903L was withdrawn in November 1997 and purchased for preservation in 1998, repainted white in July 2000, whilst restoration continued until July 2009.

LA 697 is the last known surviving dual door example from this unique batch of buses and had a cameo role in the award winning film 'NEDS' by Peter Mullan, released January 2011.