Distributor's Part in Reconditioning Ex-Army Vehicles
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A Story Which Provides Strong Support for the Scheme. of Passing allEx-Service Vehicles Through the Hands, Either of Manufacturers or Distributors, for Reconditioning, Before Being Sold to Civilian Operators
THOSE of us who we re actively • engaged in • t h 6 industry . immediately following the 1914-1918 conflict will not 'need reminding of the conditions which -obtained regarding the . acquiring cif ex-Arrny Vehicles. Provided that the policy already decided upon be carried out, the disposal of ex-Army vehicles after the present war will be under close control, as 'they are to be returned either direct to the original manufacturers or to their accredited ageets, so that
they may be soundly .
reconditioned before One of a batch of Pierce-Arrow 2-tonners which saw ser•viee in Italy in gating into the hands World War 1 and which gave 10 years service after being reconditioned of operators, by Lawson Pigott Motors, Ltd. As a distributor or
Pierce-Arrow lorries in 1914, Lawson Pigott Motors, Ltd., 322, 'Ring Street, Hammersmith, London, W.6, was naturally interested in securing ex-Army machines of this make following World War 1, and we are indebted to Mr. M, W, Harris, the present managing director, for some interesting reminiscences which go back to that period.
One of the accompanying illustrations shows a vehicle bearing the name of S. W. Smedley and Co., Ltd. Those fainiliar with machines of that day will have little difficulty in recognizing it as a Pierce-Arrow 2=tonner. This particular vehicle formed one of a batch which saw service in Italy during the 19141918 war. It was purchased by Mr. Lawson Pigott, and his company was . responsible for its complete reconditioning.
A delivery date was given to the purchaser, but the nearer it approached the snore did it become apparent that the chances of keeping it were next to nil.
However, by a great effort, it was found possible to keep to the date and Mr, H. J. Crisp, who has been with the company for 24 years and who is, to-day, a director, dove t h e machine home "standing on the gearbox."
A second feature of interest lies in the identity of the operator. In those days S. W. Smedley and Co., Ltd., 5 and 7, St. Pancras Market, London, tc,i,v.1, was, as is shown by the writing on the vehicle, a fruit and potato merchant. Today there are f ew people, housewives in particular, who are not familiar with Smedley's
canned vegetables and fruits. Mr. Smedley, who started in so modest a way, is now managing director of the famous canned goods business which carries his name.
The Pierce-Arrow which he acquired from Lawson Pigott Motors, Ltd., despite the fact that it was an ex-Army vehicle, gave his company 10 years' fine service. and even then was in good enough condition to be accepted in a part-exchange transaction for a new van. Such a performance speaks well for the make of vehicle, and for the thoroughness with which the rec:onditioning work was carried out prior to delivery.
Mr. Lawson Pigott also purchased a large number of Pierce-Arrow 5-tanners from Casablanca, North Africa, and these, like the 2-tonners, were thoroughly overhauled and eventually sold to operators in this country. Incidentally, Mr. Lawson Pigott, the founder of the concern, was killed by enemy action, but his son, Mr. Stanley Pigott, who is serving in the M.T. section of the Forces, is still a director of the company.
Mr. Harris informs us that several of the original stall responsible for rebuilding these machines are still in the service of the company.
On a recent visit to the Hammersmith premises we found that the chief bust% tress of the concern was devoted to overhaul and repair work. The overhauls are fully comprehensive in their nature, involving, as they do, the complete stripping down and rebuilding of chassis. One 'operator for which work is undertaken is Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons Ltd., which operates a large number of tipping vehicles. There is no doubt that these machines have a hard life, and cracked chassis sidemembers are amongst the _ troubles encountered. .
As these machines come in for over haul, the chassis frames are strengthened by the addition Of a wide steel plate to each chassis side-member, and this is done, whether the side-members be fractured or not.
By way of contrast to this demand for the utmost strength as against superfine external finish, there are the vehicles which the company reconditions for the British Oxygen Co.., Ltd., and Whitbread and Co., Ltd. In both cases, apart from the need for maintaining a high standard of workmanship in the mechanical features, these operators are equally concerned with the smart
appearance of their vehicles as a whole.
When we say that the overhaul and repair work undertaken by Lawson Pigott Motors, Ltd., covers every feature of the chassis and body, it is sufficient indication of the facilities' which the ccimpany has at its disposal.
The greatest problem with which the . concern is at present faced is in finding the right sort of' labour, . and this governs the amount of work which can he accepted. In addition to commercial vehicles, specialized service is given in repairs to tipping gear of all types,
Mr. Harris believes that .there is a tremendous future for•the battery-electric road vehicle and the electrically
• driven works truck, and contacts are already being Made titith a view to the company handling these machines in the near future.
Post-war plans. are well aheadin connection with commercial-vehicle sales
and the intensification ot the overhaul' and repair side of the business. The works are to be reorganized, and negotiations are in progress for, the acquisition of adjoining. property to allow for the housing of additional plant an equipmen t.