Volvo B57

Volvo B57 was a front-engined single-decker bus chassis manufactured by Volvo between 1966 and 1982. Since 1970 it was also available as the Volvo BB57, with the engine mounted on top of the front axle, giving the buses very little front overhang. The BB57 became a kind of replacement for the smaller B54, but as it was larger, the B54 got its true replacement later. The predecessor to BB57, the B615 had gone out of production in 1965, but apparently the demand for such a model was so high that they had to bring it back almost half a decade later, as the B54 proved to be too small.

Volvo B57/BB57
DP Owens Alexander Y Type bodied
Volvo B57
Overview
ManufacturerVolvo
Production1966-1982
AssemblySweden
Body and chassis
ClassBus chassis
Floor typeStep entrance
Powertrain
Engine6.7-litre front-mounted I-6
Volvo D70, TD70[1]
Chronology
PredecessorVolvo B715 (B57)
Volvo B615 (BB57)
SuccessorVolvo B7FA (B57)
Volvo B7F (BB57)
A vintage Repstad bodied BB57 from Sørlandsruta, near Molde in May 2008

Both B57 and BB57 could be built in three different wheelbase lengths: 5 metres (B57-50), 5.5 metres (B57-55) and 6 metres (B57-60).

This chassis type was rare in the United Kingdom, but was quite popular in rural parts of the Nordic countries.

Singapore

Singapore Bus Service introduced a fleet of 350 New Zealand Motor Bodies bodied B57s between 1980 and 1983 following a successful trial of a Metal Sections-bodied demonstrator in 1979. Of these, the first 200 units were fitted with Version 1 of the bodywork, which hard a raised angular roof for the front destination signage, and the balance 150 units fitted with Version 2 of the bodywork, which had a curved roof for the front destination signage. [2][3][4][5] All units were retired and sold to Bus Éireann, Ireland between 1994 and 1998 for use on school bus duties in rural areas.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, the Punjab Urban Transport Corporation placed 300 in service in Lahore.[6][7]

Australia

In Australia, four B57s were purchased by Neville's Bus Service[8] while another was purchased by Cairnstrans.[9]

References
  1. Commercial catalogue - Applications Letrika
  2. Volvos for Singapore Commercial Motor 8 December 1979
  3. "SBS buys 200 Volvo buses" The Straits Times 29 September 1980
  4. SBS takes delivery of prototype Business Times 28 November 1980 page 2
  5. Contract awarded to New Zealand Motor Bodies Business Times 20 June 1981 page 5
  6. Volvos for Pakistan Commercial Motor 23 February 1979
  7. "Volvo's Punjab booster Commercial Motor 20 December 1980
  8. Busabout / Coachways Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  9. Southtrans Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  • Media related to Volvo B57 at Wikimedia Commons
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