This vehicle is the very first bus acquired by the Queensland Omnibus and Coach Society for preservation. It is one of 340 Leyland Panther route buses purchased by Brisbane City Council between 1968 and 1970 to replace Brisbane’s tram and trolleybus network. The Panthers hold great historical significance to Brisbane because they signify the end of one transportation era, and the evolution of another. In fact, this vehicle is the last of 136 Panthers manufactured by Denning at Acacia Ridge and the very last of the 340. Bus 721 entered service in May 1970 and operated route services for the people of Brisbane for over two decades.
Bus 721 is one of only 21 Panthers refurbished by Council during the mid-1980s with modifications including the installation of power steering, ‘Jet Air’ mechanical air ventilation system, retrimmed passenger seating, electronic route numeral equipment, and repainting into Council’s new orange and white ‘Citybus’ colour scheme. These refurbished Panther buses were known as ‘Manthers’. During July 1993, the vehicle was sold to Kevin and Beryl Doyle of Doyle’s Bus Lines at Springfield, who had been operating the bus in the Ipswich area under lease from Council. The Doyles graciously donated the bus to our organisation on Sunday 16 August 1998 shortly before they sold their business to the Pulitano family, owners of Park Ridge Transit.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of our organisation, Bus 721 was repainted by Coachworks between September and October 2021 into the last colour scheme it wore in service with the Brisbane City Council.
Vehicle Specifications
| Year | 1970 |
| Chassis | Leyland Panther PSUR1/1 |
| Engine | 11.1 litre, 6-cylinder Leyland 0.680 diesel engine, 150bhp at 1950rpm |
| Transmission | ZF 2 HP-45 two-speed automatic |
| Brakes | Westinghouse dual air brakes and spring handbrake |
| Steering | Power assisted (retrofitted) |
| Body | AB Denning & Co Pty Ltd, Acacia Ridge, Queensland |
| Construction | Tubular steel frame with exterior aluminium panelling |
| Colour | Yellowfire orange and white |
| Seating | 83 passengers (41 seated, 42 standing) |
| In Service | May 1970 to July 1993 |
Restoration of Bus 721
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of our organisation, Bus 721 was repainted by Coachworks between September and October 2021 into the last colour scheme it wore in service with the Brisbane City Council.
