Answers to Queries.
Page 18
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any poiets connected with the construction or use of commercial victors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks. Numerous requests reach us for lists of motorcab and cominercial-vehicte owners ; these we never supply. Our advertisement columns are open to those who desire to make announcements to owners for the purposes of trade.
Waterproof Body-Covers Wanted.
[1947] OWNERS write: -" Can you kindly inform us where we can obtain white waterproof body covers and hoops, suitable for motorvan bodies ? We refer to the covers such as are fitted to laundry vans, and we think Messrs. A. W. Gama.ge have some vans with this class of cover."
ANSWEIL—You will probably be able to obtain waterproof covers from John Unite. Ltd., 291, Edgware Road, W.
A Typical "Omnibus " Inquiry.
[108] " FOREIGN AGENCY IN LONDON "' writes " We shall be glad if you can supply us with the following informal ion, viz., The number of commercial vehicles disposed of during the last, sat', three years, showing the increase in sales from one year to another.
The type of car (horse-power, etc.) mostly in demand.
The districts in England to which the greater number have been supplied.
The respective countries of origin, with numbers supplied by such countries.
"If you have any such information, we should esteem it a favour to receive a copy, together with any other particulars you may have in this direction. If you cannot supply us with this, may we trouble you to inform us where such statistics may be obtained."
ANSWER.—We regret that we cannot supply the compendious information for which you apply. You might ho able to get it from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, but we doubt whether it exists.
Converting a Touring Car for
Hiring-out as a 17-Seated Wagonette.
[1919] " UNCERTAIN " writes :—" I should be greatly obliged if you could kindly give me your advice on the following : —1 purpose fitting on a 28-36 h.p. • chassis (suitably lengthened) a wagonette body to seat 17 persons including_ driver ; weight approximately (body and passengers) 30 cwt. to 2 tons, and in winter occasionally to use it as a light lorry.. I want to run it to pay, and purpose charging about 11-1d. per mile per passenger.
" What tires would you recoMmend, and could the present 895 mm. by 135 mm. pneumatics be retained for the front wheels to be satisfactory from a comrner
cial point of view—say, until worn out, then put solids, or would it be better economy to fit all solids at once ?"
ANSWER.—The conversion of a high-speed pleasure car of the type you mention will not prove to be a suitable job. The probability is that you will unfortunately find it costly in upkeep. You will have to charge more than lid, per mile for a passenger, as you must allow for the unsuitability of the machine, and for the fact that you will not always secure your full complement of passengers. It is only in very exceptional cases that we are able to approve the suggestions of our correspondents to endeavour to .convert their pleasure-car chassis for purely commercial service.
Would a Two-Tonner be a PAying Proposition ?
[1950] " TWO-TONNER " (London) writes :—" As an old subscriber to your valued paper, I beg to ask If you will kindly inform me the approximate initial cost and also the cost of maintenance of a 2-ton petrol-motor box van, under the following conditions :—
" The traffic for which it would be required is at
present put on rail m 12 miles distant from London, and is of course delivered by the railway company. I want to see whether it would be remunerative to purchase a motor to convey the goods to London and to deliver them to their respective consignees. The mileage involved would be about 50 per day for six days per week ; the van would only require to call at about a dozen different houses. If from the foregoing you can tell me the cost per vehicle-mile I shall be glad."
ANSWER.—The price of a two-ton box-van petrol vehicle would vary from £525 to .2600, according to the power of the engine and other features. For the class of work which you mention, if you reckon upon 7d. per vehicle-mile, you will be well on the safe side, inclusive of maintenance, depreciation, insurance and all running charges.
Where Do Licence Fees Go!
[1951] " GOOD ROADS " writes :—" I shall be obliged by your advice as to the real situation in regard to the effect of taking out one's Excise licences (male servant, motorcar, etc.) in particular counties. Is it of any effect at all, as a punishment of a county which is adverse to motorcar traffic, or which neglect its roads, to take out one's licences in another county?
" I have been told that, no matter where the licences are taken out, Government gives a definite and particular sum to each particular county by way of grant."
ANSWER.—The position with regard to male-servant licences and dog licences is that the duties are retained by the County Council to whom they are paid. With regard to motorcar and carriage duties, the County Councils are guaranteed a sum equal to the amount received by them in a standard year, such year being 1909. Any sums received by a. council in excess of that sum are paid to the Road Development Fund. On the other hand, if a council receive less than the amount it received during the standard year, a grant equal to the deficiency is made to them. It will be seen, therefore, that the information you have so far as the Excise duties on motorcars and carriages are concerned is correct, namely, that it. makes no difference whether such licences are taken out in onecounty or another.