Some Cavalier facts:
Operators of the largest Cavalier/Grenadier fleets

1.Southdown : 64 
2. Ribble : 45
3. Yelloway : 31
4. Ewer Group (Grey-Green+Orange) :29
5. Northern General : 20  (10 Reliance, 10 Leopard)
Timpsons :10 ( Reliance)
Gliderways : 12
Trent : 5
Barton
Thomas Bros (Port Talbot) (2)
Greenslades/Devon General
Charlies Cars, Bournemouth (on Albion Aberdonians)
East Yorkshire :8.  ( Tiger Cub, 4 Leopard 36')
Hebble : 3

Neath & Cardiff (7)

 

Cavaliers built by Harringtons 

First introduced in 1960, the Cavalier was built over a fairly short period,until 1966 as unfortunately the Rootes Group. who owned Harringtons by this time, decided to cease coach-building to concentrate on other activities within the group.

Preserved Southdown 1722 (2722 CD). Leyland L2T-Harrington Cavalier C41F. Originally C28F,and used on Southdown's own tour programme, which included the 21-day Grand Tour of Britain, which depart twice-weekly during the summer season. The livery is as-delivered with cream upperworks, which I think was far more elegant than the later all-green version.

Southdown 1744 (8744 CD). Seen at the 1965 Epsom Derby, 1744 was one of 2 36ft Cavaliers in the Southdown fleet. Originally intended to be 31 seaters for Continental Tours, they were delivered as 49 seaters (then Southdown's standard capacity for 36 footers), as it was believed there could be problems loading them on to Channel ferries because of their longer rear overhang. As can be seen they were used on Excursions and Private Hire instead.




Ribble 1036 (PCK 618) is a Leyland L2T Leopard, with 32 Chapman reclining seats in the Cavalier body. In common with Southdown's Cavaliers, the Ribble ones also had air suspension.



Interior view of Ribble 1036 showing the Chapman reclining seats. These are the original seats which have been retrimmed in the original pattern moquette. the seats are about 50 years old ! as they started life in Burlingham-bodied Royal Tigers, which were replaced by the Cavaliers.


AFJ 86B. AEC Reliance new to Greenslade of Devon, a BET company. Now in preservation with Brijan Tours of Botley, Hampshire. It is operated on a class 5 MOT, so not licensed as a PCV, which stops the temptation to send it out on unsuitable private hire work when Brijan are short of vehicles. The front dash panel, as built, is a Grenadier panel, and the coach is built to 7ft 6 inch width for use on the narrow bridges on Dartmoor.


Flight's of Birmingham has always bought high-class coaches, and so naturally bought  a Cavalier.
477  AOP is an AEC Reliance and was fitted with tables and reversed seats for use as the Aston Villa team coach.

Below: Flights re-acquired 477 AOP in the late 90s and restored it to original condition, including the tables and reversed seats which were fitted to carry Aston Villa FC. This must have been one of the first coaches fitted with 'extras' especially for football teams (unless you know different!)




A large user of Harrington bodies was Surrey Motors of Sutton, who naturally took Cavaliers, and forunately 699 RPA has been preserved. It is seen at an early Cobham Open day and Rally



Western Welsh 145 (ABO 145B) is a good example of a 'standard' Grenadier 315 on an AEC Reliance chassis.
It is preserved and is seen at the 2011 Worthing Rally