Moulton eight wheeled coach, 1970, with independent Hydragas suspension and geodetic integral construction, chassis no. MD/1970/AM1

The Moulton coach was a one-off development model designed by the innovative automotive engineer, Dr Alex Moulton. It was designed to give better ride comfort and be safer than any other public service vehicle.

Its construction demonstrated that the ride and stability of a coach could be improved by using a very rigid chassis and independent suspension. Comparative tests against other vehicles carried out in 1970-71 at the Motor Industry Research Association showed it to be superior to the best coaches then in production and compared with those of earlier years. Although this was a one-off development model, many of the coach’s principles were used in other European coaches.

Each of the eight wheels on this coach is independently sprung on a Hydragas suspension unit similar to those used in the Austin Allegro car and the two wheels on the same side at the front or the rear are interconnected. The chassis is made from square-sectioned tube and uses triangular shapes to provide the necessary rigidity. The same materials and structure are used for the roof and side framing, with substantial ‘roll-over’ hoops forming the window frames. A front-mounted Perkins engine drives the four rear wheels.