Big 7-cwt. Van with Front-wheel Drive
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Ingenious Transmission Arrangements Permiqing a Low Loading Line and a 120-cubic-ft. Body AN interesting light van, embodying a number of attractive features, has been built as a private enterprise by Mr. G. L. Wilde, 44a, Kenilworth Road, Leamington Spa, who would like to make contact with any concern prepared to consider its manufacture. The vehicle, which is shown in accompanying illustrations, appears to possess marked possibilities.
Mr. Wilde's main object was to produce a van which could be sold at approximately £100, would have an unladen weight not exceeding 12 cwt_ (£10 tax), and would have an exceptionally low floor and big capacity. For these reasons front-wheel drive has been employed.
Capable of carrying 7-cwt. loads, the van has a capacity of 120 cubic ft., whilst the measure of success achieved in respect of loading line can be judged from the illustrations. It can be seen that the floor is approximately at the level of the wheel centres.
To ensure good adhesion of the driving wheels the engine (a J.A.P. 980 c.c. V-twin) is situated in front of the front axle, and the transmission unit is compactly accommodated imme
diately behind it. Drive to the wheels is by two jointed shafts and the stub axles are located by two transverse leaf springs, one above the other, which form the forward suspension system.
Considerable ingenuity has been exercised in the design of the transmission mechanism. Forming an extension to the crankshaft, a light main shaft runs rearwards to a conventional plate clutch at the back of the unit. From this the drive is returned forwards to a three-speed gearbox having hollow input and output shafts through which runs the engine-clutch shaft. Also forming a sleeve on the last-named is a worm on an extension of the gearbox output shaft.
Under the worm is the worm-wheel, housing a spur-pinion differential. From it protrude short shafts, carrying brake drums, and to these are attached, by flexible couplings, the half-shafts.
Alternatively to the V-type power unit, a four-cylindered engine may be employed. To facilitate maintenance, the whole front assembly—engine, gearbox, final drive, axles and wheels-6.n be drawn out forwards. If it be not desired to do this, however, the clutch and gearbox can easily be dismantled from inside the vehicle.
The design of the mechanism has been fully patented and a complete description is contained in specification No. 335,667.