The Duple Laser was a design of a
coach
Coach may refer to:
Guidance/instruction
* Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities
* Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process
** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers
Transportation
* Co ...
bodywork built by
Duple between 1983 and 1986. It replaced the long-running Duple Dominant body as Duple's standard medium-height coach of the mid 1980s.
Variants
The original Laser was introduced in 1983 as Duple's entry-level / mass-market coach and was available on various 11 and 12 metre long mid-engined Bedford, Leyland and Volvo chassis. The design featured gasket glazing which distinguished it from the contemporary high-floor Duple Caribbean and semi-integral Duple Calypso (both of which had bonded glazing). Quad headlamps and a small chrome grille were shared with the Caribbean, although the Calypso's twin headlamps and wider grille could be specified as an option.
At the end of 1984 the Laser range was given a facelift and renamed the Laser 2. The main differences were a switch to bonded glazing and a revised front with twin headlamps and plastic grille, again shared with the contemporary Caribbean II. Additionally, the Laser 2 became available on mid-engined DAF chassis.
The Laser Express and Laser 2 Express were dual-purpose versions with bus-type entrance door and other modifications intended for use on express and interurban services. These were eligible for the British Government's
New Bus Grant until this subsidy on new buses was terminated in 1984.
Replacement
At the end of 1985 the new
Duple 320 and
340
Year 340 ( CCCXL) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Acindynus and Valerius (or, less frequently, year 1093 ''Ab urbe con ...
were launched as replacements for the Laser and Caribbean ranges respectively. The remaining stock of Laser coaches entered service during 1986.
Gallery
Image:WHITES TOURS - Flickr - secret coach park.jpg, Duple Laser on 11m Bedford YNT chassis with optional Calypso-style grille
Image:DON SMITH'S Murton - Flickr - secret coach park.jpg, Duple Laser on 12m Volvo B10M chassis
Image:NATIONAL WELSH - Flickr - secret coach park (8).jpg, Duple Laser Express on 12m Leyland Tiger chassis
Image:JAMES BEVAN OF LYDNEY - Flickr - secret coach park.jpg, Duple Laser 2 on 11m Bedford YNT chassis
Image:BADGERLINE - Flickr - secret coach park.jpg, Duple Laser 2 Express on 12m Leyland Tiger chassis
See also
*
Plaxton Paramount
The Plaxton Paramount was a design of coach bodywork built by Plaxton. It first appeared at the 1982 British Motor Show and was built until 1992.
In its more common single deck form it replaced the Supreme V and Viewmaster IV, and was replace ...
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List of buses
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References
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Buses of the United Kingdom
Intercity buses
Single-deck buses
Vehicles introduced in 1983