A 20-SEATER DE LUXE SALOON COACH.
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An Attractive Vehicle the Design of Which Indicates the Trend of Modern Development.
THE vagaries of the English climate are such that the saloon motor coach will always retain the popularity which it has won of recent years, for there is little question that it affords the maximum comfort and convenience when changes of temperature and weather occur with marked rapidity, as they undoubtedly do in this country. The saloon coach is, in the vast majority of cases, a de luxe type of vehicle, and accordingly it is mostly employed for high-class 'work, but there are instances where such vehicles are being used in popular centres with considerable success.
A typical de luxe saloon coach is illustrated in one of the pictures which appear on this page. It consists of a Reo-Pullman chassis carrying a body built by the Phenix Coach Works, Ltd., in their works at Ware, Hertford, to the order of Gaunt's Central Garage, Sutton-in-Ashfield, who have supplied the vehicle to Mr. C. A. 'West, of that town.
The design of the body is conceived on attractive lines, and it follows the standard build of Phcenix productions. Provision is made for the passenger door on the near side in the second bay of the superstructure, thus enabling the partition behind the driver to be built as au integral part of the complete body. The door, which is of wide proportions and of the two-piece type, is mechanically operated, and is opened and closed by means of a lever disposed conveniently to the driver's right hand.
The vehicle provides seating accommodation for 20 passengers, to each of whom the utmost comfort is given. The cushions and back squabs are mounted on spring frames and tastefully upholstered in blue Rhinos, which is a leather fabric manufactured by the Peachey Leather Products, Ltd., of Slough, Rucks.
This fabric consists of selected leather and tough rubber combined under a new process, and is proof against the action of grease, stain, damp and water. The Outings of the upholstery are carried right through the squabs and cushions, no buttons being employed, so that the possibility of dust collecting at these points is avoided.
The interior furnishing of the coach Is effected in New Zealand bagac, which is a tough, hard timber of the mahogany class. The window fillets and the driver's partition are of the same material, which undoubtedly lends a pleasing tone to the interior.
The rear emergency door is provided with a folding slip ; the slip board is upholstered on its underside and forms a cushion to the centre rear seat when folded up into the body, Interior lighting is provided by ' six lamps disposed around the cant rail, • and these are controlled from a lighting battery through two switches let into the front facia.
The vehicle is attractively painted a light shade of ease blue with a wide strip of dark blue extending round the body at the waistline.
The flee-Pullman chassis on which this body is mounted is particularly suitable for passenger work in that it possesses a low loading line, and this fact, coupled with the use of disc wheels and large-size pneumatic Ityres, serves to convey an impression of the speed capabilities of the vehicle and of the riding comfort which it provides.
Eastbourne's Bus Requirements.
The motorbus committeee of the Eastbourne Corporation has decided to ask Leyland Motors, Ltd., to give specifications and prices for four single-deck buses and to invite tenders for the supply of six chassis. This is as a result of a visit to the Leyland works, which, the committee states, was most instructive and interesting. The committee examined the various types of bus engine in process of making and assembling and saw bus bodies in every stage of erection.
One type of single-deck bus, of which over 100 were being made for a Continental Government interested the'committee greatly, but the bus considered the best for Eastbourne's requirements was a single-deck vehicle. This is quite a new bus, very quiet, economical in running, easy of riding, pleasing in appearance inside and out, and with some slight alteration will carry 32 or 33 passengers.
This particular bus is not' yet on the market, but the company hope to be able to deliver early' next year. The committee suggested some small additions, and the company have promised to consider the possibility of making arrangements for part of the roof to be capable of being opened in the summer, but the difficulty of leakage or drip must first be overcome.
The company understand that what Eastbourne desires is a vehicle somewhat different to the single-deck toastrack type now seen in many seaside resorts. The committee has long discussed a specially designed bus for pleasure route's, and it is hoped that something will now be .done in :this direction.