The Leyland T45, also known as the Leyland Roadtrain, was a lorry from the British manufacturer British Leyland. Presented in 1980 by the newly created Truck & Bus division, it was named Truck of the Year and became the basis of Leyland’s 1980s heavy range.
Leyland T45 at a glance
| Maker | British Leyland |
|---|---|
| Type | heavy truck, also called Roadtrain |
| Presented | 1980 |
| Division | Truck & Bus |
| Award | Truck of the Year |
| Engines | Cummins, Gardner and Rolls-Royce options |
| Transmission | Spicer |
| Chassis | based on the Leyland Marathon |
| Cab | developed in a wind tunnel |
| Leyland-DAF era | sold as the Leyland-DAF 80, 300 or 330 hp |
| Replaced by | DAF 85 in 1994 |
Based on one source, a short Dutch Wikipedia article on the T45.
History of the Leyland T45
A new heavy truck
The T45 was presented in 1980 by British Leyland’s recently created Truck & Bus division and was immediately named Truck of the Year. It was sold with a range of engines, including units from Cummins, Gardner and Rolls-Royce, coupled to a Spicer transmission. The chassis was based on that of its predecessor, the Leyland Marathon.
The cab
The cab was developed in a wind tunnel. It was relatively small, especially on the heavier models, compared with the Volvo Globetrotter or the DAF Spacecab.
Leyland-DAF and the end
After the takeover of Leyland Trucks by DAF, the truck was offered as the Leyland-DAF 80, with only the DAF 11.6-litre engine producing 300 or 330 hp. In 1994 it was replaced by the DAF 85.
Design and features
- Truck of the Year: the T45 won the award immediately after its 1980 launch.
- Engine choice: Cummins, Gardner and Rolls-Royce units, with a Spicer transmission.
- Marathon chassis: the running gear was developed from the previous Leyland heavy truck.
- Wind-tunnel cab: aerodynamically shaped, though small by continental standards.
Leyland T45 versions
- Roadtrain: the original 1980 British Leyland model.
- Leyland-DAF 80: the post-merger version with the DAF 11.6-litre engine.
The T45 was the heavy end of the range that included the Constructor and Roadrunner. More Leyland vehicles are in the Leyland collection.
Sources
- Leyland T45, Dutch Wikipedia: launch, award, engines, cab, Leyland-DAF 80
