Central took delivery of a fine fleet of 35 Daimler Fleetlines in 1971 with handsome, if somewhat square, bodies by ECW. In many ways, they were the second spiritual successors of the large Lodekka fleet : Gardner-engined double-deckers with 77-seat bodywork by ECW. They were, of course, suitable for one man operation.
Like the Bristol VRs before them, however, these fine vehicles failed to find favour with Central and were quickly discarded. The Fleetlines, however, at least managed to remain within the Scottish Bus Group. They entered service with Eastern Scottish and with Alexander (Midland), both companies being eager to snap them up. Both Eastern and Midland supplied Alexander AYS-bodied Leyland Leopards to Central in direct exchange.