Built-in bed-sitter for Bullens
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• A pantechnicon vehicle which includes a first-storey bed-sitting room for the driver and his mate has been added to the fleet of Bullens Transport Group Ltd.
The bed-sitting room fits into the Luton area above the driving cab to which it is directly connected by a narrow staircase. The enclosed room measures 7ft 6in. by 6ft by 7ft high and incorporates a wash basin, table, two seats, lighting, a shaving point, sliding windows, insulated walls and two bunk beds which can be folded down to provide alternative seating for five porters. It is thought to be the first vehicle built in Britain to have such accommodation.
The 25ft-long vehicle is designed primarily for carrying computers and similar delicate or high value loads on long journeys into Europe.
For this purpose the vehicle also incorporates a 3-ton hydraulic lift at the tail of the vehicle, extra shock absorbers, adjustable safety belts to lock the load firmly into place, cushioned lining to give double protection from accidents, rub
berized buffers to prevent chafing and a number of other refinements.
The pantechnicon is built on a Bedford KMH 224in. wheelbase chassis fitted with a 466 Cu in. diesel engine, five-speed overdrive gearbox and power-assisted steering. The gross vehicle weight is 16 tons and it was designed and supplied to Bullens by Marsden Coachbuilders Ltd.