New 12-seat Bus for Britain
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DOPULAR in Germany as the
Goliath, a 12-seat bus produced by the Borgward group is now, being imported into this country. It is known here as the Borgward Express Microbus. The sole concessionnaires are Metcalfe and Mundy, Ltd., 280 Old Brompton Road, London,. S.W.5.
Among the interesting features of the vehicle are the engine and its mounting. It is a two-stroke petrol engine of 700 c.c., which develops 29 b.h.p. at 4,000 r.p.m. Normal combustion is replaced by a fuel-injection pump which receives a supply of petrol and oil from a mixture chamber. This controls the quantity of oil which is added to the petrol from a separate tank over the radiator.
The quantity of fuel delivered to the engine is -controlled through a pneumatic all-speed governor operated by pressure changes produced by a venturi unit in the air-intake manifold. The pump is basically similar to a conventional fuel-injection pump for an oil engine, except that the helical control edge is arranged to advance the point of injection as the quantity of fuel delivered is increased.
The engine and four-speed synchro10 mesh gearbox are mounted together on the front axle, which contains the final drive.
Entry to the passenger compartment is through a wide double door at the side. Two passengers can be accommodated alongside the driver and the remainder in the main compartment. A space for luggage is left inside the double door. A metal luggage rack can be provided for an extra £24 on the
basic price of £862. The vehicle" is exempt from purchase tax.
A maximum speed of 56 m.p.h. and a fuel-consumption rate of 38 m.p.g. are claimed.
The Express can be supplied as a delivery van or a drop-sided lorry, in which case a payload of nearly 19 cwt, can be Carried. The van is 9 ft. long,
4 ft. 10 in. wide and 4 ft. 6 in. high. The truck is 9 ft. 6 in. long and
5 ft. 3 in. wide. The wheelbase in the case of all models is 8 ft. and the track 5 ft. 9 in.