THE DODGE 15-cwt. VAN.
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We recently had the -pleasure of a test run on a, new American van, of which Charles 'Jarrett and Letts, Ltd., of 45, Great Marlborough Street, W., has a number for immediate delivery'. It is constructed-to carry a net useful load of 12 cwt.—say 15 cwt. including a, light van-body and driver. On the occasion of our run we were endeavouring .to kill .two birds with one stone, and were also investigating the merits of a new paraffin carburetter. For the purposes of the test runs the gross load carried amounted to about 11 cwt. and the vehicle behaved most satisfactorily. We travelled along, the road through Kingston and Cobham, to Guildford and beyond, ascending the Hog's Back twice. This difficult acclivity was climbed with ease, it not beingfnecessary at any time to descend below second speed. On more than one occasion we stopped and' restarted, using the middle ratio—time speeds .ate fitted. On the waylback, owing to our taking on board several soldiers, we brought the gross„load up to 19 cwt. The extra 3weight was conveyed without the slightest trouble.
Specification.
The chassis, which is by Dodge Brothers, and • -resembles very B58 closely that of the touring car manufactured by the same firm, reveals upon examination the following ,features-t—Unit construction for the power plant, the engine being a four-cylinder with cylinders cast en bloc, 98 mm. by 114 mm. bore and stroke respectively. It is water-cooled, with pump circulation, and the radiator fitted is a tubnlar one with a fan. to increase the draught. The aluminium leather-faced cone clutch transmits the power to a three-speed gearbox. The rear axle is a full floating one, with bevel drive, and runs on Timken bearings.
As regards lubrication, the engine is oiled by a system of combined forced feed and splash, the gearbox and rear axle being provided with the usual filling caps and drains. 'The rear axle, moreover, is fitted with a large, easily removed hand-hole cover, rendering. its internal mechanism easy of access. The -control is arranged in conformity with. current practice in this country, that is to say, the steering wheel and pedals are on . the off side of the chassis. Changespeed and brake levers,, however, are centrally placed, this being in keeping with the unit type of construction. Both gas and ignition
levers are fitted as well as an accelerator -pedal.
Complete Equipment.
The equipment of this little van is very complete indeed, including windscreen, complete set of electric lamps and horn, a set of tools, spare rim and an instrument board which carries a speedometer, petrol air-pressure pump and oilpressure gauge, magneto and-lighting switches, current indicator and means for adjusting the carburetter. It will be gathered that the specification includes an electric starter and generator.
Paraffin Carburetter Fitted.
The vehicle is fitted with pneumatic tires, and the price is 1275 comPlete, or £300 if fittedwith,
• paraffin carburetter. With regard to the latter, w6 are not at the moment in a position to give details. It has been invented by the well-known manager of Jarrott and Letts—Mi. 'Harold B. Lambert—. but as the patent specifications have not yet been filed, he prefers , for the moment that the mechanical details should not be made public. We hope in the near future to be able to give a description of this, as well as to report upon some exhaustive tests for 'Which we are arranging.