Oilers Predominate at the Milan Show
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Commercial Section of Greater Interest than Private-.car Side. Considerable Development in Italian Commercialmotor Design in Recent Years
E'ROM the point of view of interest the commercial section of the recent Milan Motor Show overshadowed the private-car side, writes our Milan coriespondent. . This fact is not surprising, in view of the great development that has taken place in the design and construction of Italian commercial vehicles,
There has been an increase of more than 300 per cent, in the number of commercial motors on the road, as .compared with the figure Pr 1925, and now industrial vehicles comprise about 33 per cent, of the total of motor
vehicles in Italy. Last year 4,679 heavy chassis were built, this figure representing an increase of 29.8 per cent. over the number for the previous year.
Despite the handicap of severe legislation, there has also been a considerable development in trailer design. There is now a super-tax imposed upon trailers and at least two specially qualified drivers must attend each
vehicle drawing a trailer. Nevertheless, road transport is gradually replacing the railway services in Italy:
This year's show indicated a general improvement in detail design, layout, finish, etc. Oil engines are widely used in Italy, and many interesting power units of this type were on view.
The Fiat, O.M. and Bianchi concerns are all producing four-cylindered oil engines for chassis with pay-loads ranging from 2,500 kg. to 3,800 kg. The new Fiat 621-model oiler has a 4,580 c.c. engine, developing 65 b.h.p.
at 2,200 r.p.m. Another impressive Fiat model is the 656 RN-type sixcylinder vehicle.
The O.M. unit works at a speed of 1,800 r.p.m., at which rate it develops 55 b.h.p., whilst the Bianchi 3,770 c.c. four-cylindered oiler develops 55 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m.
One of the novelties of the show was the Lancia Ro-Ro model, which is a development of the wsll-known Junkers twin-cylinclerecl 3,180 c.c. oil .engine.
• The Ro-R3, however, is of threecylindered opposed-iFfston design, and has a capacity of 4,770 c.c., the b.h.p. being 96 at 1,500 r.p.m. This power unit, along with the Alfa-Romeo engine, shared the distinction of having the highest compression ratio of any oiler at the show.
One of the most striking exhibits was an Alfgr-Rotneo 100-passenger bus, with a Bussing six-cylindered engine. The outfit was of the .articulVed type and seated 78 persons, the passengers being able to walk from the front compartment to the rear, as in a train. The vehicle was 22 in. long and the body was by Macchi, a concern specializing in commercial coachvirork.
An interesting proprietary make of oil engine on view was the Sacima, which is intended to be installed in existing petrol-erigined chassis. Models of 5,200 c.c. and 9,060 c.c. are available.
Considerabla interest was, writes our • Milan correspondent, created by the
new Cappa-designed O.M. military vehicle, which is stated to be capable of climbing 45-per-cent.. gradients. It has a four-cylindered air-cooled petrol engine of 1,616 c.c., developing 21 bap.
The chassis incorporates four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, independent wheel suspension and differentials which can be locked. Tracks can be fitted around the semi-pneumatic tyres.
Important displays of oil and petrolengined vehicles were staged by I.F. and Renault, whilst the little German Goliath three-wheeler was also on view.
Amongst the trailer exhibits were to he found models with three axles, steering arrangements for tour front wheels and other advanced designs. There was also a huge trailer with steel-tube frame built by 0.M.M., of Naples. Modern braking systems were embodied in many trailers.