Coach Testing by Scientific Methods
Page 58
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LAST week, a Foden .two-stroke rear-erigined coach, with bodywork by Metalcraft (Staffs), Ltd., Stoke-on-Trent, left Sandbach on the first stage of a Continental test run embracing almost every country to which tours from this country are operated. On board were members of the engineering and sales staff of Foden's, Ltd., of Global Tours, Ltd., the operator of the vehicle in question, of the bodybuilder, and of the distributor, Maskell's (Brixton), Ltd.
Before returning to-this country, the vehicle Will have completed a 3,500mile test, during which France, Switzerland, Spain, Austria and Germany will be visited. At the rear of the coach, seats have been replaced by an instrument panel. This will be photographed during the. tour . sothat, a complete record will be kept Of the reaction of the chassis 10 all the conditions Met.
Lutury kir 32 People • Built to the operator's' specification, the coach. will noritally seat 32 passenger's', in individual Seats, having sliding adjustment.. Framing is hardwood with steel flitch plates.
An' unusual feature Of the' design is that there are 10 windows on each side. There are, in addition, nine Curved, glazed panels in the' roof on each side, wide Curved lights at each corner, a deep windscreen and • two ambercoloured curved panels above. There is no bulkhead, and luggage space under the floor is reached through hatches.
So • that any exceptional load of luggage can be carried, additional storage space is provided inside at the rear of the coach and in a large locker in the front, alongside the courier, who occupies a seat beside the driver. A folding luggage rack is concealed in the roof..
Clayton heating equipment feeds warmed air through ducts situated under the seat bases, which are raised from the floor so as to provide room, in special boxes, for rugs and other incidental items of luggage. Attractive A40 luggage racks, constructed of lightgauge polished tubing and polished wire, are also fitted. • Another unusual feature of the body is that three doors ail provided. The near-side front one is normally used in this country, and another on the off side at the front is employed wherever vehicles drive on the right. Both these doors are behind the frontwheel-arches and each incorporates a step, which is pulled out from beneath the body by a link connected with the door. The steps are concealed when not in use. Ahead of the rear wheel-arch, on the off side, there is an emergency door. .
Separate pairs of direction indicators
are fitted at the front and rear. ,
At the rear, there are two grilles in the engine compartment, one on each side; these, it is believed, will result in a cross-flow of air, which would have a further sound-damping effect. Anti-roll clips' are fitted to the springs, shock absorbers at the front and rear being part of the normal specification.
So far, eight coaches of this type have been ordered by Global Tours, Ltd., with the possibility, of lour more to follow. Experience with this prototype on the Continent will, undoubtedly, help to decide final details of equipment in future deliveries.