2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the Leyland National going into production and entering service in the UK. Love it or hate it, the Leyland National was an attempt by British Leyland to standardise on a single vehicle type incorporating developments in new and emerging vehicle technology of the 1970s. The result, a project between Leyland Motor Corporation and The National Bus Company was the Leyland National. Over its 13 years of production, over 7,000 vehicles were built. Despite the desire to standardise on a vehicle there were many different variations produced by Leyland in an attempt to capture new markets.

The concept never really took off in the way Leyland intended and the number of vehicles sold outside the National Bus Company was less than originally envisaged. The vehicles themselves have served the bus industry well over its 40 year history and deserve recognition, both as part of the British bus industry’s history and Leyland’s manufacturing heritage. To celebrate this milestone, the Leyland National Group (LNG) has been working closely with event organisers to ensure there will be the opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Leyland National at various LEYLAND NATIONAL 40 events throughout 2012. At all of these events you will be able to remember why you loved or hated the National! You will be able to meet the Leyland National Group, see the sights and sounds which make the National unique and maybe even encounter some odd and unusual Nationals. Do you own a Leyland National? If so, the group would like you to participate in as many Leyland National 40 events as possible. However, entry to some events is limited to due to space constraints at the rally sites. Other event organisers will require entry forms to be submitted for insurance purposes. Overnight accomodation may also be arranged if you are looking to travel long distances. Please contact the LNG webmaster - webmaster@leylandnationalgroup.co.uk for further information about the planned Leyland National 40 events in 2012.

The LNG will also be producing a special collectors edition of The NATIONAL Press magazine which will detailing the first 40 years of the Leyland National from production to preservation. This will be mailed out free to Leyland National Group members and will also be available to non-members at all of the Leyland National 40 events listed. If you would like to know more about the Leyland National Group and it's activities, please follow this link.

Details of the confirmed LEYLAND NATIONAL 40 events are listed below.

- SUNDAY 18TH MARCH 2012 - Leyland National 40 & LNG AGM, British Commerical Vehicle Museum, Leyland, Lancashire

- SUNDAY 8TH APRIL 2012 - Spring Operating Day & Leyland National 40 display, The Transport Musuem, Wythall, Worcestershire

- SATURDAY & SUNDAY 14TH / 15TH APRIL 2012 - LEVs and Leylands operating at the North Norfolk Railway, Sheringham, Norfolk

- SATURDAY 1ST JUNE 2012 - Stagecoach NW Open Day, Workington, Cumbria including a display of Leyland Nationals

- SUNDAY 8TH JULY - 40 years of the Leyland National at the Leyland Society Gathering, Leyland, Lancashire

- SUNDAY 15TH JULY - Leyland Nationals on display and operating in service at Alton Bus Rally, Alton, Hampshire

- SATURDAY / SUNDAY 18TH / 19TH AUGUST - Leyland Nationals on display at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Dunfermline, Fife

- SUNDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER - Leyland Nationals on display at Showbus, Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire

- SUNDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER - Leyland National 40 Running Day, St. Helens Transport Musuem, St. Helens, Merseyside

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// Leyland National 40 Press Release // LNG AGM 2012 Details //

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