Albion.

22nd November 1927, Page 134

22nd November 1927

Page 134

Page 134, 22nd November 1927 — Albion.

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ALIMON commercial vehicles have for many years been noted for their durability and longevity, and a fine range of models is exhibited at the Olympia Show. Pride of place is perhaps taken by the new 30-60 h.p. Monarch saloon touring coach, which is obviously essentially suitable for long runs and fast touring, with a maximum of comfort for the twenty occupants. Some idea of the accommodation is obtained when we mention that the wheelbase is 16 ft. 3 ins.. The body is provided with a fixed roof, and the whole vehicle is notable for its fine and dignified appearance. The seats face forward,; with the exception of longitudinal seats over the wheel arches, and they are provided with pneumatic cushions and arm-rests. Of the windows, seven are made to drop and are controlled by winding handles, while those to the right of the driver and over the wheel arches can be slid sideways.

The interior fittings are very complete, and include parcel racks, ash trays, folding tables, interior lamps, etc. Lockers are provided under the seats and under the floor of the body, access to the latter being obtained through doors fitted above the running boards on each side.. The body itself is provided with front and rear entrances on the near side for the passengers. In front of the driver there is a sloping four-panel screen fitted with a sun-visor, and roof ventilators of the lvluirhead type are provided. The colour scheme is very attractive, the panels being painted light grey with a black belt extending over the top of -the bonnet ; the window-frames, roof and wings are painted dark grey.

Another passenger machine on the some stand, mounted on a similar 3060 h.p. chassis, is a 32-seater rearentrance overtype bus. It will be recalled that the chassis embodies a four

forward-speed gearbox, with undersIung worm drive and low frame. Pour-wheel brakes are provided RS a standard fitting, but the Dewandre vacuum 6ervomotor mounted on the Show model is an optional extra. The driver is accommodated in a cab to the off side of the engine, and the bodywork is finished

on very attractive lines. The vehicle shown has been sold to Gloucestershire Transport, Ltd., and should prove a useful and highly popular addition to the fleet operated by that company.

Three goods vehicles, not previously shown at Olympia, are exhibited by the Albion Company, these being the newsix-wheeled chassis for 4-ton loads, an overtype 4-ton model with a very large platform space, and a 30-45 h.p. threetonner. The tix-wheeler, which has been thoroughly tried out on the Continent, is a very sturdy job, built to comply with the War Office subsidy requirements. The engine is of the well-known 30-45 h.p. Albion type, and the transmission system consists of a four-forward-speed gearbox and over head-worm driving axles. We understand that an auxiliary gearbox will be fitted behind the main gearbox on .productiou models, but this is not found on the chassis exhibited.

The springing arrangement at , the rear follows the usual plan for subsidytype six-wheelers, consisting of twin in verted springs on each side ; and anti-sway rods are provided. Two powerful brakes are fitted, one operated by pedal assisted by a Dewandre servo-motor and applying .shoPs to drums on the rear driving wheels ; the hand-lever controls the shoes working in drums on the front driving wheels. The 4-ton overtype model shown has been specially designed to ensure accessibility for the engine and chassis parts and has a particularly small turning circle ; consequently the machine is extremely handy to use in confined spaces. The driver is provided with a V-fronted cab, and is placed low down on the oft side of the engine. His position thus gives him a practically unobstructed view of the road and oncoming traffic.

The 20-45 h.p. 3-tonner, which has been on the market for over a year, embodies the usual Albion features, such as a four-forward-speed gearbox and a worm-driven axle. It is shown fitted with a roomy van borlY (specially built for Messrs. James Robertson and Sons) the internal measurements of which are 12 ft. 9 ins. by 6 ft, 4 ins. by 6 ft. The chassis is the high-speed pneumatictyred type which is fitted with fourwheel brakes. A five-lamp electrical equipment is standardised.

This notable series of vehicles is completed by a 24 h.p. 2-ton baker's van, mounted on pneumatics, the body of which has been specially designed for the purpose in view, and is well worth inspection. Many Albion vehicles are shown elsewhere in the Exhibition on the stands of coachbuilders.

Albion.

Page 134

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