Cannon's Specialist Vehicles Limited

The late Cannon's Specialist Vehicles Ltd was based at Sion Mills, near Strabane in Northern Ireland. Please do not be misled to the current Cannon Bus Chassis which produced the 150BEL low floor bus.

The Hi-Line and the smaller Softline were the two models offered by the company. Both were modified DAF FA45 lorry chassis. The engine was moved from the front to between the chassis rails just behind the front axle, and various components were moved around. A drop-frame option was available for better door access. The steel suspension was retained. The concept is very similar to that of the Leyland Swift.

The Hi-Line came with a Cummins B-series 6-cylinder engine and a choice of Allison T-series auto or ZF S5-42 transmissions. GVW was 11 tonnes. The Softline came with a Cummins B-Series 4-cylinder engine, the same transmission choice, and had a GVW of 7.5 tonnes. It was aimed at the MB Vario market.

A third chassis type, the Lowline, was exhibited at the Coach & Bus show in 1999 but this SLF competitor doesn't appear to have got past the development stage.

Around 25 in total built between 1998 and 2000, although a couple weren't registered until the mid 2000's.

Information courtesy: Keith Rapley / John Veerkamp.

Cannon Hi-Line (United Kingdom)

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Page created: 11 October 2009