| AEC Bridgemaster | |
|---|---|
,_M%26D_and_EK_60_rally_(2).jpg) Park Royal bodied AEC Bridgemaster (forward-entrance) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | AEC |
| Production | 1956–1963 |
| Assembly | Southall, England |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 7,702 cubic centimetres (470.0 cu in; 7.702 L) AEC AV470 Inline 6 Turbo-diesel (first two prototypes) 9,668 cubic centimetres (590.0 cu in; 9.668 L) AEC AV590 Inline 6 NA |
| Power output | AEC AV470: 120 brake horsepower (120 PS; 89 kW) @ 2,300 rpm 1,200 newton-metres (890 lbf⋅ft) @ 1,700 rpm AEC AV590: 128 brake horsepower (130 PS; 95 kW) @ 1,800 rpm 430 pound-feet (580 N⋅m) @ 1,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 4-speed AEC synchromesh |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 5,029 millimetres (16.5 ft) |
| Length | 9,144 millimetres (30 ft) |
| Width | 2,438 millimetres (8 ft) |
| Height | 4,130 millimetres (13.55 ft) |
| Curb weight | 7,350–7,470 kilograms (16,204–16,469 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | AEC Renown |
The AEC Bridgemaster was a front-engined low-height double-decker bus chassis manufactured by AEC from 1956 to 1963.
The AEC Bridgemaster was introduced by AEC in 1956 to meet the demand of low-height double-deckers from municipal and independent bus operators across the United Kingdom, which were barred from purchasing the Bristol Lodekka. It was designed as a fully-integral vehicle, utilising two sub frames like the contemporary Routemaster.[1] Four pre-production examples were bodied by Crossley with an aluminium body; production examples bodied by Park Royal were introduced from 1958 with steel body frames at the request of British Electric Traction.[2]
In 1960 a forward-entrance version with slightly different driveline layout was introduced.[3] A total of 180 were produced before it was superseded by the AEC Renown in 1963.[4] East Yorkshire Motor Services were the largest customer, purchasing 50.[2][5][6]
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,_M&D_and_EK_60_rally_(2).jpg/250px-Stagecoach_in_East_Kent_bus_19946_(MFN_946F),_M&D_and_EK_60_rally_(2).jpg){kind=small}
,_M&D_and_EK_60_rally_(2).jpg/2000px-Stagecoach_in_East_Kent_bus_19946_(MFN_946F),_M&D_and_EK_60_rally_(2).jpg "AEC Bridgemaster")
![AEC Bridgemaster initial styling concept.[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AEC_Bridgemaster_sketch.jpg)
![Rear-entrance AEC Bridgemaster chassis layout.[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AEC_Bridgemaster_chassis.jpg)
![AEC Bridgemaster body frame.[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AEC_Bridgemaster_body_frame.jpg)
![First pre-serial AEC Bridgemaster, registration YDH225, chassis number MB3RA001, bodywork by Crossley with H41/31R layout, entered into service with Walsall in Nov. 1956.[7][6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AEC_Bridgemaster_YDH225.jpg)
![Second pre-serial AEC Bridgemaster, registration 9JML, chassis number MB3RA002, bodywork by Crossley with H41/31R layout,[6] in the service of the Birmingham Corporation.[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AEC_Bridgemaster_9JML.jpg)