Dennis Bus and Coach Books - History and Models

120 Years of Dennis Buses

NEW

This book meticulously traces the evolution of Dennis Brothers, originating in the 1890s when John Dennis transitioned from crafting bicycles in Devon to building motor vehicles in Guildford by 1901.
The company's early repertoire included cars, vans, fire engines, and buses. Although car production ceased in 1913, the focus on larger vehicles flourished post-World War I, expanding the company's reach across the UK and various overseas territories.

In 1972, Dennis Brothers was acquired by the Hestair Group, and after several ownership changes, a consortium led by Alexander Dennis secured ownership in 2004. Noteworthy for its diverse range, Dennis has emerged as the largest UK manufacturer of passenger transport vehicles.
The book meticulously captures this developmental journey, accompanied by a selection of previously unpublished photographs, providing a comprehensive insight into the legacy of Dennis buses.

Dennis Buses and Other Vehicles

The Dennis company has been building vehicles since 1895, making it the oldest continuously producing British manufacturer. From its origins in a small Guildford shop, the company has grown to become a major bus manufacturer with its products selling around the world.

This book discusses the company's highs and lows, through two world wars, challenging markets and ownership changes. It documents the vehicles produced and their innovative design features, from early cars and street-cleaning machines to vans, buses, trucks, fire engines and ambulances.
First-hand descriptions of how, and why, some of the company's most successful products such as the Dart, Trident and Enviro buses evolved. It explains why their once market-leading fire engines are no longer made.
It also analyses the reasons why some products were less successful and explores what happened to parts of the company that were sold over the years. Finally, the company's future opportunities and challenges are considered.

The author, Andy Goundry, has not only drawn on his own personal experience of almost twenty years of employment with the company but he has drawn on what is left of the company archives, private collections and first-hand accounts, to produce this book as a salutation of over 125 years of continuous manufacturing.

Dennis Dominator - Including associated models the Domino, Falcon and Arrow

The Dominator was Dennis's first rear-engined double-decker bus chassis. It was launched in 1977. Dennis had been absent from the bus manufacturing market since the last Lolines were produced in 1967. The Dominator was described as bespoke, with numerous options. To some extent it was considered a successor to the Daimler/Leyland Fleetline.

By the time that production ceased in 1996 a total of 1007 of the model had been produced. The single largest customer for the type in the UK was South Yorkshire PTE, which acquired more than 320 (including one configured as a trolleybus for trials). Another significant market for the type was Hong Kong, where from 1979 onwards several batches were delivered. In 1982 a three-axle version - known as the Dennis Dragon - was produced specifically for the Hong Kong market; a number of these have been subsequently imported back to the UK and can now be found in use on sightseeing duties in London and elsewhere.

This volume details the development of the Dominator from its origins in the early 1970s through to the final years of operation. It also includes sections on associated models Domino and Falcon and its successor, the Arrow.

The London Dennis Dart and Dart SLF

Introduced in 1989 the Dennis Dart became one of the most successful midibuses in the UK. Bodywork was supplied by Carlyle, Wrightbus, Reeve Burgess, Plaxton, Alexander and Wadham Stringer. A large number were taken into stock by London operators, replacing many of the smaller midibuses.
A low-floor version, the Dart SLF, was introduced in 1995, and like the step-entrance Dart this model also became popular with operators around the United Kingdom, as well as Hong Kong.

In 2001 Transbus took over production, only to revert to the Alexander Dennis name in 2005. The last Darts entered service in London during 2007, after which time the Enviro 200 took over.
This book provides a history of this popular London single-decker, from its introduction to its demise.

London's Dart and Dart SLF

Launched in 1988, the Dennis Dart saloon became one of the most successful single-deck buses in the UK. Originally sold to London operators, provincial operators soon saw the success of the model and purchased large numbers. Several different manufacturers produced bodywork for these vehicles.

Going from strength to strength, a low-floor model was constructed in 1995, becoming known as the Dennis Dart SLF. Again, this model was purchased by many operators across the country, with the Plaxton Pointer and Alexander ALX200 body styles being the more popular choice.
Large numbers of both the step-entrance and low-floor machines were taken into stock by London operators, both big and small.

The Dart and Dart SLF became a worthy workhorse of the London bus network for over twenty-five years. David Beddall takes us through the history of this significant model, with a range of previously unpublished images from the nation's capital.

The London Dennis Trident

Propelled towards the end of the 1990s by accessibility imperative requiring low floor buses both in London and the rest of Britain, Dennis developed a tri axle Trident double decker for Hong Kong and then adapted the design as a two axle version for Britain.
Orders came thick and fast between 1999, when the first Tridents for London entered service with Stagecoach and 2006, when the Enviro 400, a combination of its unified body builders, replaced it.

In those years over two thousand of the type appeared in London, ordered by Stagecoach, First London, United, Metroline, Metrobus, London General, Blue Triangle, Connex, Armchair, and Hackney Community Transport.
The body work was by Alexander ALX400, Plaxton, (Precedent) and East Lancs, to two available lengths, while badging itself progressed although Trans Bus, until this troubled organisation was suspended in 2004 by todays Alexander Dennis.
Versatile and personable, the Trident in all its forms lasted two decades in London, the last examples being withdrawn from service in 2020.