A NEW GUY VAN
Page 40
Page 41
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
for the delivery of parcels
the basis of lorries which are, of course, rated as being suitable for 21-3-ton loads, it is not surprising that the company has decided to make as few alterations as possible.
Thus we find that th4: wheelbase remains at 10 ft. 6 ins., the front and rear wheel tracks are 4 ft. 11i ins, and the laden height of the frame 2 ft. in., whilst the power unit and the whole of the transmission are unaltered. In producing this new delivery van it was thought that, for general purposes. twin wheels and tyres at the rear were unnecessary, whilst the rear springs, designed to carry a 3-ton load, a-s in the ordinary Wolf, were unnecessarily strong for the proposed type of B26 vehicle. Accordingly, appropriate modifications in these respects have been effected.
As will he seen from the accompanying illustrations, the complete van has attractive lines, and they are, moreover, practical. The domed roof of the body, the moulded scuttle and the door panels make an imposing assembly. The body is capacious without appearing to be ton bigfor the chassis. Normal control is, of course,provided, but, by reason of the manner in which the engine is set well-forward in the chassis, there is a distance of 5 ft. from the rear of the driver's seat to the centre line of the rear axle, the frame being extended for a further 4 ft. It is interesting to note that a body length of no less than 13 ft. 6 ins, can be employed (measuring from behind the dash).
The dimensions of the standard body are: Length 9 ft., width 5 ft. 6 ins., and height 5 ft. 2 ins, (this dimension being taken from the partition behind the driver's seat). There is a sliding door on the near side of the partition which allows the driver or his mate to enter the parcels compartment so that delivery of the smaller variety of goods can he made without opening the rear doors.
The body, built on hoops, is panelled in Plymax, suitable steel strengthening pieces being inserted wherever it has been deemed necessary. With -a relatively low loading platform, the wheelarches naturally cut into the floor of the container, but in a vehicle of the type under consideration no inconvenience should be experienced from this cause, especially as the arches have been strongly boxed in. The chassis costs £235 and the complete vehicle, in grey, £319.
The following are a few 'particulars of the chassis, power-unit, etc., for the benefit of those readers who are not familiar with the layout of the Wolf chassis. Simplicity of design .characterises the frame construction ; the side-members are thoroughly well braced by cross ties, and all detail work is carried out in a neat and orderly manner. A four-cylindered overhead-valve engine, having bore and stroke dimensions of 90 mm. and 130 mm. respectively (3.308 litres) is employed and, together with the dutch and gearbox, is mounted as a unit at three points on special anti-Vibration rubber buffers. Four speeds are pro
vided, the indirect ratios being 1.7, 2.97 and (1.33 to 1 which, with a rearaxle ratio of 5.7 to 1, give a comprehensive and useful range of gears.
A single open propeller shaft transmits the drive to the spiral-bevel rear axle which, with its fully floating halfshafts, is a sound and sturdy job. The self-energizing four-wheel brakes de not require a heavy pedal pressure in
order to obtain an emergency stop. The front drums are 12 ins, in diameter, whilst those at the rear are 14 ins, in diameter, the total frictional area being 246 sq. ins. Other items of equipment are a cam-and-roller steering mechanism, a 101-gallon fuel tank mounted behind the off-side running board, and a 12-volt lighting and starting set.