Money buys any body
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THE commercial vehicle industry in the UK is possibly less adventurous in bodywork design than is the case in Italy. The Turin Show is a bodybuilder's dream come true. Very ordinary van bodies are transformed into mobile display units, pavement cafés, travelling greengrocers, shops, market stalls and hairdressing salons.
Every available corner of space is used for storage: toilet facilities are provided almost as standard and fittings although decorative are also robust and functional. The bodybuilders take the view that provided the customers pay then they can have even the most sophisticated vehicles made to order, The design flair which can transform a panel van into something resembling a carnival float at the turn of a few handles has not yet its way onto the British scene—but it could. In the meantime, however, special hide orders are dealt with Fiat dealers, albeit for ictional rather than corative purposes.
Truck Rescde and aintenance Ltd. Fiat's aler at Actor in North West ndon, claims to have pplied the most expensive ecial vehicle order Fiat on ?. road in the UK. At
00,000 for an 0M55 this )uld appear Ito be a well -itified claim.
The vehicle is owned and erated by ZOom Television J. It has been on the road ily three months so its 'ficult to say how it rforms. However, the main part of the expenditure went on the modifications and equipment. The power unit is basic, so a standard mpg of around 20 is expected.
Zoom Television claims to offer the largest industrial television service in Europe. It provides studios and outside broadcasting facilities for all sorts of customers. The 0M55, PLH 623R, is part of the recording set-up.
It comprises a Rank Cintel 9000 videotone recorder, has editing facilities, full audio and distribution facilities and a broadcast colour portable camera. This is probably Fiat's most complex SVO (special vehicle order) outside Italy. It is a standard 3.6m low-roof integral van with a specialist 254mm (10in) high roof extension to accommodate the video tape recording equipment. It is fully air conditioned and insulated. The roof is lined with fabric and the floor covered wall to wall with carpeting.
It accommodates four operators on every trip. The hire of this highly specialised unit with crew is £600 per day.
Almost any design of body can be met by a special vehicle order, but this is something which requires the joint attention and consideration of the customer, the dealer and the builder.
Purchasing a chassis or a van body only, and then putting it out to a bodybuilder may be the cheaper way initially—but there are dangers. Only when engineering skills and bodybuilding know-how are brought together can an operator be certain that his SVO requirements have been met without detriment to the performance and life of his vehicle. • lain Sherriff