MOTOR COACHES
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for special service
IN INDIA
Brief Details of Two Luxuriously Equipped Vehicles Which Have Been Built for Use by the Maharajah of Patiala When Engaged on Hunting Expeditions
SPECIAL motor vehicles of different descriptions, both private and commercial, have been shipped from' these shores fur service in India, some of those which have been supplied to notable maharajahs being equipped in detail to a most lavish standard. The Maharajah of Patiala has recently had built for use on the occasion of hunting expeditions two splendidly furnished coaches, one—a 27-seater—being a travelling coach and the other a dining saloon with accommodation for 16 people at one sitting. In each case the A.E.C. Regal chassis is used, and the luxurious bodies were built by Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., Edgware Road, The Hyde, Hendon, London, 1ST . iiiT.9.
Outwardly, the vehicles have the same well-balanced appearance, both being finished in two shades of maroon and having entrances and exits in identical places. On the top of each body • at the forward and is a powerful searchlight; this is of 225,000 e.g., throws a beam 1,000 yds. long, and can be turned in a complete circle.
In eachcase a Walman sliding roof . is used and Triplex purdah safety g/us is used for the windows. As many of our readers will be aware, this glass is blue-tinted and possesses the property of giving perfectly clear vision to the occupants of the vehicle, but, at the same time, shields them from the gaze of passers-by.
For the interiors teak is employed and this has been polished and bees'-waxed by hand. This harmonizes with blue moquettecovered seats in the travelling coach and a decorative scheme of blue and brown in the dining car. Many of the interior fittings and appointments, which are of a high standard of excellence. are common to both vehicles. There is in each, for instance, a rack for seven sporting guns, this being fitted to the front bulkhead, which also carries two blue flambeau lights, a clock with a luminous dial, a luminous speedometer and a mirror in the centre.
Projecting through the roof, immediately above, are the handles for working both the searchlight and the slidlug roof, whilst below the mirror is the searchlight switch. A little farther along the centre panel is the handle which controls the heating, this being by Thermorad exhaust heaters, flush fitting aluminium radiator plates being let into the floor. Beth the floors are covered with blue-coloured Paraflor rubber, laid on sponge rubber, which has the effect of damping out vibration.
The luxuriousness of the interior is enhanced by the use of chromium-plated parcels racks, window fittings, handles, table legs, switches, cigar receptacles and light fittings, and silk damask curtains give a nice finishing touch to the windows, which are surmounted by pelmets of the same material. To the supports between each window are affixed switches for both the white lights overhead and the blue lights at the front, a buzzer for signalling to the driver or for calling the "bearer," and an electric cigar lighter.
The travelling coach has two cabinets over the wheel-arches, one being used for carrying cigarettes, cigars and glasses, and the other for holding bottles of wine. The top drawer of this is lined with zinc for carrying ice. At the rear of these is a three-divisioned table, which can be quickly erected across the full width.
The dining saloon coach has five folding tables fitted with spring-rimmed silver bottle containers. Immediately behind these tables is a curtained toilet recess, in which is a wash-bowl of Egyptian silver, mirrors and drawers. The water supply is obtained from an 18-gallon tank carried in the roof.
Beyond this section is a full-width partition which separates the kitchenette from the dining portion. This is fitted up with cabinets for the reception of crockery and cutlery and for the storing of foodstuffs. It also contains a zinc-lined sink, a chromium-plated tap fed from a 32-gallon water tank in the roof and a large Primus stove. The appointments of the dining saloon inelude 24 sets of solid silver cutlery, teapot, coffee pot, sugar basin, etc., en
graved with the maharajah's crest and a large number of china pieces, similarly treated. A silver cocktail shaker is included amongst the fitments.
Certain other details of the two vehicles can be gathered from the accom
panying pictures, but sufficient has been said to indicate that, not only from the point of view of utility but in the character of the equipment and luxury which it provides, the vehicles are outstanding examples of British motor coaches.