British Vehicles for Geneva
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THE British commercial vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show,, which opened yesterday and closes" on March 26, may be said to represent the lighter types produced ill this country, as the largest goods vehicle shown is the Commer 7-tonner with underfloor engine. This forms one of two Commer exhibits with Swissbuilt light-metal bodywork, the other being a long-wheelbase Superpoise 2-tonner.
A third Commer vehicle—a Superpoise 4-tonner—is shown with a Perkins P6 oil engine. Both this model and the 7-tormer have Eaton two-speed rear Ixles. The Commer exhibit is completed by an 8-cwt. Supervan and a 15-cwt. chassis with pick-up body. The 3-cwt. Supervan is now fitted with a larger engine.
The Land-Rover is exhibited in three forms--as a standard product with rear
power take-off, as a mobile electricand gas-welding outfit, and equipped with lire-fie-fling gear. Whilst the LandRover can exert a drawbar pull up to 2,000 lb., it can also attain over 50 in.p.h, on the road.
Nuffield Exhibits
The Nuffield Organisation has a Morris 5-cwt. van on show, and two examples of the Morris-Commercial range. These comprise a 30-cwt. lorry, and one of the new l-type 10-cwt. vans. Features of the latter are the wideopening doors, which give unimpeded access to a body claimed to have the largest capacity for this class of vehicle.
The Austin exhibit comprises seven vehicles, either in complete form or as chassis and cab, and an A40 sectioned engine. This unit is used in the A40 Countryman, pick-up and van models, which are based on the A40 private-car chassis. On the heavier side, the Austin company is showing a 2-ton long-wheel-' base lorry, and examples of shortand long-wheelbase 5-ton chassis with cabs. Countryman and pick-up bodies are also shown on Austin A70 chassis.
Three vehicles are staged by the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., these being 5-cwt. and 10-cwt. vans, and an example of the Fordson Thames 5-ton chassis powered by a Perkins P6 oil enizine, an alternative unit to the maker's eight-eylindered petrol engine.
One of the British passenger vehicles on view is a Maudslay coach powered by an A.E.C. 9.6-litre oil engine.
According to a statement made by Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., on Tuesday last, a full range of Bedford vehicles was to be shown by General Motors Suisse SA.
A notable feature of this and last year's British entry is that oil engines and two-speed rear axles are offered on medium-weight chassis. Whilst these components mast obviously increase the chassis price, it shows that British makers are out to provide what the overseas buyer demands Although _British representation is relatively -small in the commercialvehicle field, the types shown compare favourably with the products of any other maker in the world. Britishmade chassis are characterized by their general clean-cut design, bearing evidence of an original clear conception of the needs of the operator.
In the next issue of "The Commercial Motor" a review of the general exhibits will be given, particular emphasis being laid on the technical features of chassis design.