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BODYWORK AT OLYMPIA.

An Impressive Display of the Highest Quality Coachwork.

T" quality of the bodywork shown at Olympia two years ago was of a very highorder, but this year's exhibition proves that general design, completeness of equipment and detail refinement and finish are still on the up grade. Passenger bodywork is made and finished with the same materials as the private touring l car or saloon, and,' since the larger vehicle is so often made to an individual design, it will stand the closest inspection when compared with the average standardized private car.

It would appear that the bodybuilder has decided that nothing is too good for the bus or coach, and when one learns that the covered-top doubledecker receives its lanai coats of varnish in a special cubicle under exactly the same conditions% its tha most expensive type of private ear, some idea is gained of the care and attention being expended to achieve the best results.

Better Quality in Spite of Larger Bodies.

The bodybuilder has not only improved the quality of his productions, hut has made progress, in spite of the fact that he nas had to deal with larger units.' He is now oftencalled opon to paint and varnish an external arealof panelling of some 500Lsq. ft., apart from interior' embellishments; he undertakes to provide real comfort for each of the many passengers accommodated, and has often to manceuvre a vehicle some 30 ft. long and 14 ft. high weighing over 9 tous.

The six-wheeler is strongly in evidence at Olympia and it is utilized in

many instances for the mounting of a covered:top double-deck body. The enclosure of the staircase is a marked feature of these buses and gives the vehicles a distinctive character, apart from increasing' the safety of the passengers. The enclosure is usually provided with windows, or it is panelled, or clear openings are left be

tween the framework. An effective F48 way of decreasing tbeaoverall height of the covered-top double-dacker is to modify the shape of the upper-deck floor. Either the roof seats are arranged hack-to-back and at an angle along the centre, with a gangway on each side, or there is asingle gangway on the off side and each cross-seat holds three passengers. Then _standing headroom is provided in the gangway only, and the headroom is reduced above the seats where, in the conventional design, it is in excess of normal requirements.

New Ideas in Coach Design.

Evolution in coach design is tending towards greater simplicity, so far as the conversion from a closed to an open vehicle is concerned. It will be noted that at this year's Show more coaches have fixed-roof portions extending as far as the may pillar of the front door, whilst several have panelled saloon backs. Whether either or both front and rear saloon portion be adopted, the effect is not altered; that is, the length and size of sliding hood which has to be manipulated are reduced. lour some time past the full depth or saloon door has been used ; now, with a fixed roof peak, the hood mechanism is simplified, and the joint between hood and roof is a straight line in plan and is unaffected by the pattern) of screen used.

A saloon back can be more shapely than the back of any design of folding hood, whilst it may be provided with a large glass window instead of the small panels of celluloid usually inserted. It should be pointed out, however, that this fixed panelling is liable to be draughty, as the conditions are similar to that of a driver's cab or the driving

seat of a partitioned body. The air which collects under the roof tends to find its way down behind the necks of the rear-seat passengers, because it has no ready means of escape. This may be easily avoided by inserting one or two ventilators in the top corner of

the panelling. These will not only allow the air to e§cape,,but the air currents rushing along above the roof will aid the work of extraction. ' Both fixed and folding window frames are used for the coach. The fixed type allows the cant rail to be used as a foundation for the interior lamps and glass louvres inserted, so that the coach is well ventilated with the hood and win dows up. The hood, which can be raised by winding, is also shown.

Observation Coaches.

A new kind of public-service vehicle which has a promising future is what is known as the observation coach. The rear rows of seats are mounted about 2 ft. higher than those in front, so that, approximately, the top of the front windows is on a line with the bottom of the rear ones. The half upper deck is reached by steps at the end of the lower central gangway. Apart from the increased observational facilities afforded, a very large locker space is formed under the rear floor. It is thought that, there will be a Considerable development of this type of coach, as it is obvious that it lends itself to various modifications, such as the provision of a sliding hood or roof to either or both portions. It is probable that the observation coach will have an effect on future coach design and more will be built with higher floors and larger lockers underneath.

Forward-control Cabins.

Owing to the comparatively large number of vehicles fitted with forward control on view, one has the opportunity of comparing the various ways in which the problems of access, comfort, protection and ventilation are attacked. Generally speaking, much has been achieved in a small space and there should be ideas here which might well be incorporated in the cabin of the van and lorry, whether it has the forward or the normal steering position.

The full-width cabin is to be seen on the A.B.C. stand, where there are a full-depth door and passenger seat on the near side, whilst the Garrett covered-top double-deck trolley-bus has a door on each side the full length of the cabin, a feature which has, no doubt, been introduced to increase accessibility.

With forward control and six wheels, seating capacity, within the maximum overall length allowed, has now probably reached its limit for some time to come. There is a single-decker on the Karrier stand which has accommodation for 40 passengers, whilst the double-saloon bus on the same make of ,chassis and exhibited by the builders of the body—Hall, Lewis and Co.. Ltd.—seats 34 on the lower deck and 38 on the upper deck, and yet the seats are generously spaced for a service bus, indicating a not unwelcome tendency in that direction.

Cant Rail Ventilation.

Although the drop or sliding window is a standard fitting for most types of passenger vehicle, it is noticed this year that there is a tendency to adept fewer adjustable windows and to supplement the ventilation by means of louvres stamped in the metal panelling at the cant-rail level, or to insert glass louvres along the tops of the windows. The fitting of an extractor in the roof is more prevalent than at the last Show ; in fact, very few bodies with fixed roofs are without some form of ventilation here.

The following is a brief review of the bodywork shown on various stands.

Stand 7—Wflson Motor and Engineering Co., High Street, Kingston-on-Thames.

A new kind of body is the travelling greenhouse or floral display body shown unmounted. There are three wide shelves arranged step fashion above the floor. The body has four largo hinged roof lights, four glass doors at the side and two doors in the boarded back. A Normandy-type of body is also shown mounted on a 10-cwt. Morris-Cowley chassis. This has .outside framing finished in the varnished wood, the same effect being used for the bonnet. The longitudinal rear seats are detachable and a one-man hood is fitted, making the vehicle 9 very useful one for farmers' and estate work. The examples of Esan day bodywork on view also include a Morris ton laundry van Weighing unladen 19/ cwt. and a de-luxe van mounted on a Morris-Commercial chassis.

Stand 9—Spenborough Engineering Co., Valley Works, Heckmondwike, _Yorks. This concern specializes in all kinds of tipping gear for all weights from one ton upwards. The screws for these gears are mounted on trunnions for endtipping and for side-tipping, a bogie arrangement is fitted to Me top of the screws. Apart from a wide range of gears on view, the 5-6-ton three-way type is shown fitted to a hinged-sided Carrimare trailer with steel undercarriage.

Stand 14—John C. Beadle, Ltd., Spital Street, Dartford, Kent. The Beadle single-deck bus body mounted on a Tilling-Stevens Ex

press chassis seats 31 persons. The upper part of the body is of all-metal construction, consisting of special section pillars, cant rails and hoop sticks and aluminium roof. The front part of the roof extends only over the forward driving cabin so that the maximum amount of lighting is afforded to the interior. The main panels are a brilliant green with dart-green . mouldings and wings. Another imposing vehicle is the Beadle 20-seater all-weather coach finished in cream with brown mouldings and wings. The body has metal pillar tops and the hood is made to slide in a slotted rail mounted on the cant rail and is operated by . winding gear fitted in the front of the • driver's seat, This coach is mounted on a Guy drop-frame speed-model chassis.

Stand 1s—London Lorries, Ltd., Spring Place, Kentish Town,

London, N.w.5.

This well-known firm of all-weather coach specialists show various designs of their quadruple-purpose bodywork. The 26-seater model mounted on an Albion chassis has a well-designed domed saloon back with extra large rear window. The Beatonson headwork has rigid sides with flied glass louvres above each window. The 29-Seater monnted on a Maudslay chassis has an attractive colour scheme including canework at the waist rail. The Q.P. coach mounted On a Lancia Pen taiota chassis has yellow main panels with red waist rail, top of bonnet, wings and wheel discs. The other exhibits are a 35seater six-wheeled coach on a Guy elms sis and a 16-seater all-weather sal mounted on a 20-25-cwt. Chen chassis.

Stand 22—F. Kenning and Son Claycross.

Here is shown a milk float pals red, to carry 16 to 20 churns, mom on a 30-cwt. Morris chassis. The b has side stanchions and is also s able for brewers' work. The sec• exhibit is a well-proportioned box painted green with a pair of rear di and driver's door each side, with tains to open with them. This f builds all types of goods and passen carrying bodywork.

Stand 24—Great Western Motors, L Station Road, Reading.

An interesting type of convert body is exhibited mounted on a 30-c Bean chassis. The general design similar to that of a private omnit The inside seating capacity is for persons, six on the off-side long s and six on as many separate tip seats on the near side. When th seats are not in use the floor acconur dates a stretcher, or three folding mei trestles may be raised from the floor form a coffin bier. The detachal -back rests and other fittings are stow under the rear half of the off-side se: The vehicle may also be used as a p vete bus.

Stand 20—Bonallack and Sons, Cable Street, London, E.1. On this stand is shown a. Bonallal ambulance mounted on a Morrie cha sis. The panels are of special soun and heat-proof materials, whilst tl rear doors open right back to the aid of the body, thus giving exceptional en of access. There are carriers for ti stretchers, the lower carrier being . 13onalla.ek special design sliding in a/ out with the stretcher to facilitate Ion jug and unloading. A box for a spa. stretcher and other appliances extem the full length qf the off side with sprir cushions and back-rests to form a sel for sitting patients.

Stand 30—Willowbrook, Ltd., Derby Road, Loughborough. The 14-seater Willowbrook l'ullma body mounted on a 30-cwt. Bean chassi

highly finished in every detail. This stinctive example of bodywork is tinted in two shades of grey, including a roof and wings. The inside roof sing isof grey cloth, and the vehicle equipped with parcel nets. Similar tvices are provided above the windows. he seat legs are nickel-plated. The or flap attached to the front door see automatically with the opening of Le door. A saloon is also shown ounted on an A.D.C. chassis and an 1-weather coach on a Star Flyer iassis.

Land 31—Phoenix Coach Works, Ltd., 10, Pancras Lane, Queen Street, London, E.C.4.

An attractive 20-seater de luxe saloon us body is on view mounted on a ilford chassis. Extra comfort is rorded to the seats over the wheel-arch y raising the floor in a special manner. 'he roof is decorated in an original way ith panelled wood sides. On this stand lay also be seen a 14-17-seater standard us body mounted on a G.M.C. chassis.

;tend 32—Weymann's Motor Bodies, Ltd., 135, Lower Richmond Read, London, SAN''.15.

This stand sirould be visited by -all hose who are interested in the Weyaann form of construction as applied o passenger bodywork. The Weymann iody is not merely a fabric-panelled lody, but it is of flexible construction hroughout. Each part of the framecork is joined to its adjacent members oy means of metal plates let into the voodwork and bolted. A small cleardace is left at the joints, so that no mbbing action can take place and allowng at the same time a certain degree of lexibility. The Weymann body also includes special leeks, hinge§ and Wiiadow ittings, whilst the seats are supported 'torn the floor only.

Stand 40--Hage1dine and Norton, 55, Lent Street, London, S.E.1.

Here is shown a covered box .body with loading space over the cab mounted m a 30-cwt Bean chassis. This body s panelled in Venesta aluminium Plynax and has a tailboard and sheet at he rear, and is constructed primarily For furniture-removal work, but is very aseful for any trade where extra loadMg space is required. The second exhibit is a hinged-sided open body mounted on a 5-ton Leyland chassis.

Stand 43—Spueling Motor Bodies, Ltd., Old Oak Lane, Willesden, London, N.W.10.

A Spoiling 'hygienic meat van is shown mounted on a 30-cwt. Bean chaeF50 . sis. The interior is lined at the top with Plymax and the lower portion of the sides, front and bottom with zinc. All joints are soldered and all corners rounded to ensure cleanliness. The tailboard and back doors are also lined with zinc. Heavy ash racks are used, to cover the floor. Other examples of the firm's bodywork are a boarded tilt van mounted on a 20-25-cwt. Chevrolet chassis and a Spurting 14-seater allweather coach with Beetonson headwork, also on the same make of chassis.

Stand 71—Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., Edgware Road, The Hyde, Hendon, London, N.W.9. '

A fine example of this firm's bodywork is a 26-seater sedan all-weather coach mounted on a Minerva Auto-Traction chassis. A special enclosed rear compartment is provided having a fixed roof With ventilators and a large luggage rail. 'The hood is gear operated. The 20-seater sedan body mounted on a G.M.C. chassis has a large oblong driving mirror in front above the screen. There is also a 26-seater Kenton bus mounted on a Laftley c.hassis and two exhibits demonstrating 'the firm's special form of convertible body work. •

Stand 74—W. Wilson and Son, Ltd., Royston, Herts.

Of particular technical interest is the panelled van mounted on a Vulcan chassis. This van is finished in the natural colour of the wood. Owing to the framework of double cisrved ribs employed it is claimed that the wood panels afford greatresistance to impact and vibration and are stronger than the equivalent thickness of flat panels.. The body shown is amply strong enough to carry a 2-ton Dead and the weight does not exceed 7 cwt. A horse box to Parry two animals is mounted on a Reo-Pullman chassis.

.Stand 71—Wm. and Thos. Robson, Ltd., 60, Farrittgdon Road, London. E.C.1.

This firm employ a patent form of lightweight construction comprising light hardwood framing, metal channels and aluminium panelling. A Star tilt van is built in this way, also a body unmounted and suitable for a 1-ton chassis. In this instance the aluminium panels are polished. A 30-cwt. Vulcan tilt van is also on view.

Stand 80—Grose, Ltd., Kingsthorpe Road, Northampton.

Some very tasteful coachwork is shown. There is a 32-seater hue mounted on a Tilling-Stevens chassis with the lower panels painted light grey. top panel e white, and dark-grey mouldings with blitek chassis and wings. The second exhibit is it 20-seater Gale. allweather coach painted primrose and black and fitted with a Beclawat hood with gearing for raising and lowering it. A well-finished and serviceable 14-seater saloon bus is also shown mounted on a Graham chassis.

Stand 93—Strachan and Brown, Wales Farm Road, North Acton, London, W.3.

The 20-seated special observation Pullman saloon is mounted on a Gilford 16-ft. 6-in. wheelbase chassis. It has grained oak waist panels and grained walnut lower panels. The semi-bucket seats are upholstered in brown furniture hide and parcel nets are fitted ill each seat back. -All interior panels and finishes are in inlaid mahogany and mirrors are fitted at the top of all partitions. A special lavatory compartment, is provided at the rear, complete with folding wash-basin, collapsable table and 13-gallon water-tank, the rear vestibule being glazed with leaded lights embellished with a coloured device in the centre. The double roof is handsomely finished with lincrusta decorations. On a Dennis E-type chassis is mounted a 32-seater roll-top-roof saloon. Mirrors are fitted on each side behind the partition under the roof, with clock in the centre. Inlaid panels decorate the middle pillar and right across at the waistline. A 29-seater front-entrance bus is also shown mounted on an Albion chassis. This body is fitted with light parcel racks, ten of the firm's patent drop windows, and is painted purple, with a gold waistrail and scuttle-dash top. There is also a 26-seater front-entrance bus mounted on a Lancia chassis. The 20-seater allweather coach, mounted on an International chassis, has a sliding hood.

Stand 94—Northern Counties Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd., • Wigan Lane, Wigan.

The 36-seater front-and-rear-entrance bus, mounted on a Kanner six-wheeled chassis, has a double-cambered roof and domed back. The 32-seater lightweight . front-entrance bus on an Albion chassis is framed together by means of Duralumin pressings and flitches, and the seats are supported directly from the floor, the weight of the body complete being only 27 cwt. This firm have also on view a 32-seated front-entrance bus mounted on a Bristol chassis, with special ventilating system, and a 'rear-entranee bus on Pagetield chassis to 'seat 30-perSons.

• This body has a front sloping right down to the chassis.

Stand 102—Short Bros., Ltd., • Rochester, Kent.

The 18-seater saloon bus, mounted on. a 30-cwt. Dennis chassis, is daintily finished in a salmon and cream colour scheme, with the rear wheels paddleboxed. Of great interest is the lone.distance-type parlour car, with observation Compartmeht, mounted on an AD.C. chassis. Over the wheel-arch is fitted a kitchen on one side and toilet on the other. Each of the 14 seats in the forward portion is fitted with a deop table, newspaper and parcel rack and ash-tray. The rear observation compartment contains six separate armchair seats. This etninbtit firm have also on view one of their compoSitelcou sLructed lightweight double-deck coveredtop bus bodiea mounted on a Guy chassis. There is seating for 67 passengers. The body has cross-bearers of Duralemin and is flitehed with Duralumin and panelled in aluminium with hallow triangular-section bottom sides.

Stand 103—Hall, Lewis and Co., Ltd., 14, Cockspur Street, London, S.W.1. The 72-seater cover-top double-decker is mounted on a Karrier D.D.6, 19-ft. s wheelbase chassis and has been built for the Oldham Corporation Tramways. This imposing vehicle is painted blue, with white top, and relieved with gold lines. -Long, strong Superflex seating is used and only two longitudinal seats are used, which are situated inside the lower entrance. The staircase is enclosed, sliding windows are used in the upper saloon and a well-louvred cant rail for the lower deck. The observation saloon, mounted on a Bristol chas

sis, has seats for 10 persons in the front lower compartment and 12 persons in the raised rear portion. Curved glasses are used for the front and rear corners. The panels are painted in straw grain, with black waist rail. The emergency door is on the near side at the rear and is provided with concealed folding steps. Two single-deckers are

• ' also, shown—One ft 32-seater M.L.3-type Maudslay., built for the G.W. Railway, having a sliding emergency door on the off side of the front partition, and a 20-seater A.2-type Thornycroft, which has an open rear entrance with folding doors in front. The fifth exhibit is a 25-seater all-weather body mounted on B.10B.-type Tilling-Stevens chassis fitted with ft Beatonson rigid-type beadfitting having a fixed front canopy and

• coachbuilt back.

Stand 104—John Buckingham, Ltd., Bradford Street, Birmingham. The 26-seater all-weather coach with Trinmf-ed head has a novel seating arrangement Forward of the wheel-arch there is a slanting gangway, while over the wheel-arch there is a row of three seats on either side, almost meeting one another at the rear end. All the seats, including the four across the back of the body, are indivisclnal cane chairs. A similar pattern of headwork is fitted to a 80-seater Tilling-Stevens and a 26-seater Lancia.

• F52

Stand 117—Thos. Harrington, Ltd., Church Street, Brighton. A 30-seater saloon coach mounted on an A.D.C. chassis is fitted with a special winding hood. Automatic hood fittings are also embodied in the 32seated coach mounted on a Minerva Auto-Traction chassis. This exhibit is painted yellow with brown belt and wings. The 32-seater Karrier coach has Brighton sliding hood fittings and is painted mauve.

Stand 118—The Hoyal Body Corporation, Ltd., Pollen House, Cork Street, London, W.1.

The leading exhibit is a luxuriously equipped parlour coach body mounted on a W. and G. Ducros low-loading chassis. The firm also show two examples of traveller's broughams, one mounted on a Morris-Oxford and the other on a 12 b.p. Austin chassis.

Stand 119—Christopher Dodson, Ltd., Cobbold Road, Willesden, London, N.W.10.

"A Dodson covered-top doubledeck trolley-bus is shown mounted on a Guy six-wheeled chassis. The rear wheels are paddle-boxed. The staircase is enclosed and there are sliding windows in both saloons. There is accommodation for 30 in the upper saloon and 31. in the lower. The front inside seat is carried across the full width of the body and faces the rear.

Stand 121—Ransomes, Sims, and Jeffries, Ltd., Orwell Works, Ipswich, The 32-seater single-deck front-entrance bus body is mounted on a Karrier chassis and has an orange-coloured waist, top and roof with black lower parts. There is also a wide orange moulding on the bottom of the body. Parcel nets are fitted above the windows. This firm also shows a 4-ton trailer with hinged sides.

Stand 122—H. E. Taylor and Co., Cringleford, Norwich. Examples of Eaton bodywork comprise a 14-seater service bus mounted on a Reo chassis and a 20-seater allweather coach on the same make of chassis. The coach is fitted with a sliding hood working on white-metal cant rails and provided with patent locking joints and tubular hoop sticks.

One near-side seat is arranged at an angle over the wheel-arch, while a luggage compartment is formed on the opposite side.

Stand 124—United Automobile.Nervices, Ltd., Merley House, 314-322,

Regent Street, London, W.1.

The 35-seater double-entrance s'atioon bus, body is mounted on an chassis and is specially built for :general-service work and is painted light blue. Another United-built body is a '29 eater all-weather coach mounted on a Leyland chassis. The rear-Portion is fixed so that it may be used -for carrying luggage. The 18-seater Thornycroft de luxe parlour coach. is well appointed in every detail for 'longdistance work. A canteen and lavatery. are fitted up at the rear. The fourth • example on view is a 20-seater Rauworth saloon bus body mounted on a Star Flyer chassis painted dark blue.

Stand 125—Metcalf es, 138, Regent Streets London, W.1.

A particularly luxurious body is that mounted on a Minerva Auto-Traction chassis. This 26-seater has single bucket seats with buffet and tables, curved corner windows, metal pillars, superb inlay work and exterior coveredin fabric. On this sand are also -exhibited a 30-seater rear-entrance Vulcan single-decker And a Gilford 28-30seater saloon painted in granite blue., Stand 128—Vickers, Ltd., Vickers House, Broadway, Westminster, Lendon, SW-i.

A Vickers 28-seater front-entrance bus is .shown ',mounted on an. Albion chassis. Adequate ventilation is provided by means of three Muirhead roof ventilators and two circular louvre type ventilators fitted in he near-side top screen rail. This bus, is painted in the Metropolitan RailWay standard colours. Another railway bus is that built for the G.W.Ry. This single-decker seats 32 passengers and has an emergency sliding door fitted in the front bulkhead giving access to the driver's 'cab.

Løn don, S.W.12.

' The Hickman 32-seater saloon .bus mbunted on a Dennis chassis is a composite body constructed with a* view to reducing weight and maintenance costs. All cross seats are of the exhibitors' all-metal type with spring backs. A 32-seater all-weather coach mounted on a Gifford chassis is fitted with a hood made in three sections. The peak rolls forward and lies concealed above the screen, the centre section rolls to the off side, where it is secured in a boxing in the cant rail, and the rear section falls to the rear.

Stand 38—Portsmouth Commercial Motors, Ltd., 338-344 Commercial Road, Portsmouth.

Two examples are shown of vehicles fitted with the Sparshatt patent sliding tilt. On an Overland chassis is mounted a hinged-sided lorry with a sliding framework carrying a loose sheet. The tilt can be all over or right off the loading portion, or in two intermediate positions. A Thornyeroft 4-ton tilted van is shown with fixed front half of boarded tilt and a sliding boarded rear portion.