THE MAKERS' PEACE-PERIOD INTENTIONS.
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Leading Makers Free to Deal in 3-4 ton Vehicles.
WITH THE CESSATION of active hostilities and the rapid readjustments which are being made throughout the country with the object of bringing commerce and industry quickly back to normal conditions, there is considerable anxiety on the part of users and potential users in order to ascertain the intentions of commercialvehicle manufacturers.
The announcement of these intentions has been delayed by the need for agreement with the Ministry of Munitions concerning the continuance, or cancellation of existing contracts for war supplies. This difficult matter has, we believe, now been settled, at least in the case of a large number of contractors, and we think we are correct in saying that such concerns as Leyland, Thornycroft, Commercial Cars, Dennis, Clayton and Co. (Huddersfield), Albion, and others are now free to deal in respect of some portion at least of their output, with the private user. There will naturally be a better supply of the 3-4-ten models, such as have been supplied to the Services, and in the circumstances many buyers who would have preferred vehicles of smaller load capacity will think it better to have the larger vehicle than to wait until production of the smaller models has began to catch up with the demand.
We have asked the different makers to tell us what their programme for the immediate future is intended to be. It is useless to try and look too far ahead, because preparations for the continued production of existing models has been made for many months to come. At the same time it must be remembered that every make of vehicle has been severely tried during the past four years, put to work scarcely contemplated by the designers, maintained only under difficult circumstances, run over roads showing unprecedented deterioration, and generally stressed and strained in a manner which has demonstrated the sterling quality of British productions. So a purchase of any of the standard models is safely to be recommended.
In the notes which follow, we are able to announce the intentions of some of the manufacturers, and we shall be pleased to give publicity to the announcements of the other manufacturers if they will kindly favour us with them.
Messrs. J. I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., inform us that they are now in a position to quote early delivery dates for one type .1" 40 h.p. W.D. Subsidy model with a load capacity of 4 tons. The other models for the production of which they are equipped are the 40-cwt., the 3-ton and the 5-ton lorries.
Messrs. Clayton and Co. (Huddersfield). Ltd., will continue the production of the standard Karrier lorries as follows :— 3-4-ton live-axle model.
5-ton chain-driven model.
A few detail constructional improvements will be introduced se as to simplify manufacture. These will be incorporated as opportunity permits. Nothing smaller than the 3-4-ton model will be made by Messrs. Clayton, Ltd., in future.
D. Napier and Son, Ltd., intend to continue the manufacture of their 30-45-cwt. model, of which a large number have been delivered to British and Allied Governments. As a result of the war experience, the model calls for only a few minor improvements, which have already been incorporated. Roller bearings are fitted to all road wheels, whilst the road wheels can be removed without disturbing the bear a28 ings. The wheels will in future be manufactured of special cast steel. The ground clearance will be 10 ins.
Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., intend to build the following models:—
For 2 and 2i-ton loads—
Fitted with 25 h.p. engine, 4-speed gearbox and worm-driven rear axle.
For 3 and 34-ton loads—
Fitted with 35 h.p. engine, 4-speed gearbox and worm-driven rear axle.
For 5 and 6-ton loads—
Fitted with 45 h.p. engine, 4-speed gearbox and chain-driven rear axle.
The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., announce that definite delivery dates can now be given for models with the following load capacities :— 30-cwt. live axle model. • 50-cwt. chain-driven model.
3-ton /1 1,
4-ton 31 Messrs. Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd., are in a position to undertake orders for all of their pre-war manufactures, those of interest to our readers being the
5-ton heavy „ 5/ 1/ 3h-ton „ 11
3-ton light model steam wagon.
1i-ton patent electric commercial vehicle.
2-2i ton „ )3 )1 Messrs. Wm. Cubitt and Co., Ltd., the well-known builders and contractors, are entering the motor industry with a chassis designed to be suitable for a touring ear or van body, a lower gear ratio and other necessary modifications being introduced lo make the vehicle suitable for commercial work.
Messrs. W. and G. Du Ores, Ltd., just before the war, started to manufacture 2-ton lorries. The experimental vehicles have proved quite satisfactory. Certain features have been brought up-to-date, and the vehicles will now be manufactured at the Acton works, and will soon be ready for the market. A 30cwt. lorry is in course of preparation, and will be ready at about the same time. The same engine of 17.9 h.p. R.A.C. rating will be employed in both chassis, but whilst the 30-cwt. vehicle will have a three-speed gearbox, the gearbox on the 40-cwt. vehicle will give four speeds, the power in each case being transmitted through a worm-driven rear axle. It is proposed to continue the service which Messrs. Du Oros had developed of maintaining under contract the vehicles of those of their customers who desire to be quit of the responsibility. For a fixed inclusive charge the vehicle is run ana maintained in every detail, so that the purchaser knows to the fraction of a penny what his running costs are. The repair and overhaul of any make of vehicle, the running of a fleet of cabs (of which the company still possess about 600), and the supply of spare parts for Panhard cars are well-known features of the Du Cros organization, but a new one is the large foundry which has been installed in the seven acres of factory space at Acton. Castings in aluminium, brass, bronze aid cast-iron can be undertaken on quite a large scale.
Will the prominent makers kindly let us have a brief statement concerning their peaceperiod intentions for inclusion in subsequent issues of Tin COMMERCIAL Moron?