Commercial Outfits
Page 43
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at the Motorcycle Show
A Variety of Commercial Sidecars and Three-wheeled Delivery Vehicles of Interest to Tradesmen
THIS year, the Cycle and Motorcycle Exhibition at Olympia is on a smaller scale than in former years, but there is a useful display of vehicles of interest to those concerned with the delivery of goods. The Show opened yesterday, November 300, and remains open until Saturday, December 5th. From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. the price of admission is 2s., and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. is.
As regards the exhibits themselves, we deal first with the parcelcars.
A Coventry-Victor 7 h.p. van is exhibited (stand 41). This is for a payload of 5 cwt., and incorporates the recently introduced form of chassis in which the rear wheel is carried by air extension of the frame. The van costs £99 15s.
A machine incorporating many novel features is the Croft (stand 59). It can he supplied with a wide variety of bodies. The chassis is in pressed steel, and a most striking ,point is the use of steam cooling for the two-stroke-cycle engine, which is of 300 c.c. or 475 c.c. , All the wheels are detachable and interchangeable. The 3-5-cwt. models cost £69 10s., and the 7-10-cwt. model, £75.
Although the new Fleet range is not actually in the Show, it can be seen at the Exhibition Garage and Car Park,
adjacent to the Show. It was described in our issue dated November 17th.
A novel note is struck by the threewheeled Indian Despatch-Tow (stand 34), which is a three-wheeler built upon a motorcycle basis, but having a live rear axle. Over the rear axle is a large box for tools or goods.
The machine is primarilyintended for use by service garages ; a mechanic drives the machine to the scene of a breakdown, and after the work is. executedhe can couple the outfit to the car on which he has been working, by means of a rigid tow-bar anchored to the forks, and drive home the noweffective motorcar, towing the Indian.
Useful Three-wheelers.
A useful three-wheeler whichhas been shown on various occasions is the James Samson Efandyvan capable of carrying 5 cwt. (stand 33). The standard body affords 30 cubic ft. carrying capacity, but a larger type with 36 cubic ft. capacity can be supplied. The two rear wheels are driven, and power is provided by a 5 h.p., sidevalve, twin-cylindered engine.
One of the best-known three-wheeled machines is the Morgan (stand 51). It is shown in it latest form With a new type air-cooled J.A.P. engine of 1,100 c.c. A new feature is a threespeed-and-reverse gearbox with a singlechain drive to the rear wheel. This machine costs £95 complete.
This Exhibition is the second ocett
aim on which the latest-type Raleigh light delivery vehicle has been shown (stand 39). As a chassis it sells at £73, and as a van or lorry at 75 guineas. In all cases the pay-load is 5 cwt. The new-type out has an inclined engine completely enclosed. The weather protection is much improved, and a vital feature is the provision of detachable and interchangeable wheels.
As regards commercial sidecars, practically all the manufacturers list suitable types, bat a comparatively small number is exhibiting such outfits, owing to space restrictions. Amongst those which are on view is an interesting new Excelsior i-cwt. model (stand 55). Its price is a strikingly low one-80 guineas without lighting. It can be supplied with a 148 c.c. or 196 c.c. twostroke-cycle engine. The small sidecar wheel is readily detachable and a spare is provided. The chassis is sprung independently from the body; separate tension springs can be adjusted to suit any particular load.
Another striking innovation in the commercial-sidecar market is the Matchless Light " 500 " combination, selling at £51 7s. Bd. complete with electric lightino. (stand 37). The load capacity of this machine is 2 cwt., and it is claimed that it can cover 70 miles on a gallon of petrol.
On stand 40 is shown a New Imperial motorcycle (model 1S) coupled to a Watsonian milk float. It is distinctive by reason of its brass fittings and lockup container suitable for carrying hutter, whilst at the front a carrier is provided for bottled milk.
A concern which has done much to Popularize the commercial sidecar is the maker of the Royal Enfield machine (stand 56). The range offered includes a 4.99 h.p. light delivery outfit and the 9.76 h.p. machine suitable for carrying larger loads, or for handling a milk-float type of sidecar.
Amongst the range of Watsonian .sidecars (stand 25) on view are a milk float, van, box-carrier, open truck and a motorcycle carrier. The prices sluiw considerable reductions.