A further six Leyland National's with 10.3 metre length bodywork were bought new by Southern Vectis in 1977 and entered service in standard NBC Leaf Green & White livery (but they were delivered without the White waist band, which was applied prior to them entering service). All six of the batch were fitted with the short ventilation pod, fitted to the roof at the rear of the vehicle. Externally they were virtually identical to those delivered previously in 1973, but internally they featured tan vinyl seats and coffee colour seat backs as opposed to the green vinyl seats with white seat backs which featured on the 1973 batch.

Leyland National's were disliked by most drivers, as they could be unpredictable in wet or icy conditions.

From 1976 all five of the 1973 batch received a White waist band to relieve the vast bulk of Leaf Green. They also had their bumpers repainted from silver to White, which enhanced their appearance enormously.

They were withdrawn from service in:
April 1984: XDL799L [875]
May 1985: XDL801L [877] & XDL803L [879]
June 1985: XDL800L [876]
January 1986: ODL887R [887]
February 1986: ODL886R [886]
September 1986: ODL888R [888]
December 1986: XDL802L [878] & ODL884R [884]
January 1987: ODL883R [883]
February 1987: ODL885R [885]

Subsequent History

XDL799L [875]:

• In August 1985 it was sold to United and operated as their number [3697]. In January 1989 it was renumbered to [3501].
• In June 1990 it passed to Tees and District Transport of Middlesbrough operating as their number [3501]. In September 1990 it was withdrawn.
• In April 1991 it was sold to North of Sherburn (dealer).

XDL800L [876]:

• In March 1987 it was sold to South Midland (as dealer), whom passed it to Martin (dealer) of Middlewich and it was purchased by Smith of Preston and to Smith (t/a Avon Buses) of Moreton (all in the same month).
• In October 1992 it was sold to Smith of Prenton.
• At an unknown date it passed to Executive Minibuses (or EMS) of Greasby (whom sold it to Pennine by April 1994).
• By April 1994 it was sold to Simpson t/a Pennine Motor Services of Gargrave operating as their [LN5] it was reregistered to JIL2795. By February 1997 it received a replacement Volvo engine. It was still with them in October 2004.

XDL801L [877]:

• In August 1985 it was sold to United and operated as their number [3698]. In January 1989 it was renumbered to [3502]. In August 1989 it was withdrawn.
• By December 1989 it had passed to B.I. Pedley of Hammerwich. In March 1991 it was withdrawn.

XDL802L [878]:

• In March 1987 it was sold to South Midland (as dealer), whom passed it to Martin (dealer) of Middlewich in the same month.
• Also in March 1987 it was purchased by P.C. & D.W. Ludlow of Halesowen whom reregistered it to NAT333A in March 1989.

XDL803L [879]:

• In August 1985 it was sold to United and operated as their number [3699]. In January 1989 it was renumbered to [3503]. In August 1989 it was withdrawn.
• By September 1990 it had passed to Wombwell Diesels of Wombwell (dealer).

ODL883R [883]:

• In March 1987 it was sold to South Midland of Witney (dealer) passing, in the same month, to Martin of Middlewich (dealer).
• In April 1987 it was sold to Halton Borough Council and entered service as their number [4].

ODL884R [884]:

• In March 1987 it was sold to South Midland of Witney (dealer) passing, in the same month, to Martin of Middlewich (dealer).
• In April 1987 it was sold to Halton Borough Council and entered service as their number [3].

ODL885R [885]:

• In March 1987 it was sold to South Midland of Witney (dealer) passing, in the same month, to Martin of Middlewich (dealer).
• Again, in March 1987, it was sold to WHV & VM Smith of Sittingbourne.

ODL886R [886]:

• In March 1987 it was sold to South Midland of Witney (dealer) passing, in the same month, to Martin of Middlewich (dealer).
• In April 1987 it was sold to Halton Borough Council and entered service as their number [40].

ODL887R [887]:

• In March 1987 it was sold to South Midland of Witney (dealer) passing, in the same month, to Martin of Middlewich (dealer).
• In April 1987 it was sold to Halton Borough Council and entered service as their number [39].

ODL888R [888]:

• In March 1987 it was sold to South Midland of Witney (dealer) passing, in the same month, to Martin of Middlewich (dealer).
• Also, in March 1987, it was sold to WHV & VM Smith of Sittingbourne.
• It subsequently passed to Wealden's PSV of Five Oak Green (dealers) - noted still there during August 2000.

To the left is a front view of XDL799L [875] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Ryde Depot on 25 July 1983. To the right is Bristol RELL TDL566K [866].
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A nearside-front view of XDL800L [876] after it had received a White band and bumpers, which suited the Nationals very well, entering Apse Heath on 27 July 1982.
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A nearside-front view of XDL801L [877] in the original unrelieved NBC Leaf Green livery at Shanklin Bus Station during June 1975.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]

Still in United livery but having passed to B.I. Pedley of Hammerwich an offside-front view of XDL801L at Cannock Bus Station during May 1990.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]

An offside-front view of XDL802L [878] after it had received a White band and bumpers at Newport Bus Station on 14 August 1985.
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A nearside-front view of XDL802L [878] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery entering South Street, Newport, on 14 August 1985.
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A nearside-front view of ODL883R [883] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery sporting "Sandliner" route branding near Sandown Airport on 27 July 1982.
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A front profile view of ODL883R [883] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Tesco, Westridge, Ryde, on 25 July 1983. This batch of Leyland National's did not feature the "L" (for Leyland) circle badge below the windscreen and were fitted with the shorter rear roof pod.
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An offside-front view of ODL885R [885] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport Depot on 29 July 1983.
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A nearside-front view of ODL886R [886] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport Bus Station on 14 August 1985.
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An offside-front view of ODL887R [887] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport Bus Station on 14 August 1985. To the right is ODL883R [883] sporting "Medinabus" route branding.
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A nearside-front view of ODL888R [888] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Shanklin Bus Station on 27 July 1982.
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