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THE GREAT EXHIBITION AT OLYMPIA.

22nd November 1927, Page 133
22nd November 1927
Page 133
Page 133, 22nd November 1927 — THE GREAT EXHIBITION AT OLYMPIA.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Chassis and Bodywork of the 1928 Models Show That Nothing is Considered Too Good for the Commercial Motor.

MHE designers and manufacturers of commercial motors have before them—the exhibits emphasize the fact at every stand in the Show—the very highest ideals. "Nothing too good ; no enterprise too bold" would seem to be the policy they have laid down for themselves, and the result is a great deal to think about at Olympia. Readers of this journal, of course, have been kept fully posted with every development or the passenger carrier, the goods vehicle and the municipal or general-service appliance ; they have, in fact, been in at the birth of many of the modern ideas such, for instance, as the use of six wheels instead of four in order to distribute the load and to permit of the employment of vehicles of increased carrying capacity.

Engine design has made very great advances and some remarkable products —remarkable for their power weight efficiency—are to be seen at the Show. Reduction of chassis weight is being carefully studied ; accessibility for adjustment and ease of maintenance are being considered, and long life, reliability and freedom from road troubles are laid down as essential, so that it is clear that the commercial motor manufacturer considers to the utmost the need for providing the user with a vehicle that shall give the I:idlest possible service in order that transport arrangements shall not be deranged.

Probably nothing will, make so deep an impression upon visitors as the obvious advance that has been made in bodywork. Within severely practical limits the refinements go far beyond anything that could have been foreseen by the man in the street, let us say, two years ago. For vehicles engaged in public passenger service, soundness of 'design and strength of construction are vital: hence the highest quality of workmanship is demanded. Beyond this point, however, is the bus and coach operator urged and he insists upon superfine finish, nice mouldings and comfortable upholstery. whilst in every possible detail is the convenience and well-being of the passenger considered.

The luxury coach of two years ago is the commonplace ,ofeto-day, and some of the saloon coaches con

structed for fast long-distance travel present a more refined appearance and offer the same facilities as the best railway coaches, and we feel that, in particular, the Riviera type of coach with a rear saloon will make a strong appeal to the best type of traveller. The "observation coach," an idea from America, gives definite advantages from the point of view of the pleasure-seeking tourist. Facilities for observation are improved (for the low-seat level is not altogether ideal, as• has been pointed out in our columns from time to time) and large luggage lockers are provided.

The increase in passenger-carrying Capacity rendered possible by the employment of six wheels in the construction of double-deck buses is so substantial that the new type of vehicle which can carry (18 to 72 passengers will materially assist in solving the problem which faces tramway departments. As the roads of the country become still further improved, the hesitancy to license large-capacity vehicles will undoubtedly vanish.

In goods carriers the aims of the designer are many. He has an illimitable field for which to cater, and it will be found that every practical transport need, in weight from a few hundred pounds to 20 tons or more and in size from the compact to the vast, is met with in the range on the market. Not the least important development is in the acquisition by heavy transport of the advantage of speed. With the coming of the pneumatic tyre attainable speeds have risen, se that today commercial traffic travels faster than did the pre-war private car traffic. The net effect must be a constant expansion of mechanical road transport, to the benefit of ie community and the advance of trade.

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