An Improved
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THREE -WHEELED VAN
New Rear Springing and Frame for the Coventry-Victor 5 cwt. Model
FOB small businesses or as an adjunct to a fleet of large vehicles there is much to be said for the very light van, particularly when it is of the three-wheeled type with resulting low tax and insurance. A machine of this kind has, for some years, been manufactured by the Coventry Victor Motor Co., Ltd., of Coventry
In the latest model the chassis frame is extended to the rear so as completely to surrouni the back wheel, and quarter elliptic springs are placed one on each side behind the wheel centre so that the springs are anchored to the hindmost part of the frame.
The driving wheel itself is carried in a tubular frame, pivoted to the main frame, on each side of the gearbox and in line with the sprocket centres. In consequence, the distance between the chain-wheel centres always remains constant, and the life of the chain is this lengthened. Another point of importance in this connection is that the fork pivot bearings are widely spaced and of substantial proportions, so that the rear wheel is not likely to tilt laterally, as a result of wear at these points.
Because the frame members surround the rear wheel it might be thought that the latter would -be inaccessible, but suitable steps have been taken to over come that difficulty. The wheel-arch inside the van body is readily detachable and, when it has been removed, the spindle nuts can easily be reached. After slackening them off, the wheel can be moved back sufficiently to allow of the removal of two short distance pieces, one on each side, associated with the chain adjusters. With these out of the way, but without disturbing the setting of the adjusters themselves, the wheel can he moved forwards far enough to allow the driving chains to be lifted off the sprockets and the wheel can then be slipped back clear of the fork ends and lifted up through the floor of the van to receive attention. To make the rear wheel interchangeable with the others and thus take full advantage of the spare, its hub consists of two main parts of substantial proportions. By undoing three nuts these two members can be parted so that the steel artillery wheel can be removed.
In other respects the chassis remainsmuch as before. Placed transversely at the front is a water-cooled horizontally opposed twin-cylindered side-valve engine of 75 nom. bore and 78 mm. stroke, giving a capacity of 688 c.c. A dry, single-plate clutch is mounted in the flywheel and a propeller shaft, provided with flexible disc couplings, transmits the power -through enclosed spiral bevels to a short cross-shaft. On each end of this and Outside the bevel casing itself is mounted a chain sprocket which can be locked to the shaft by means of a dog, 'From each sprocket, a chaial runs to the rear hub, so that. two forward drives are provided, their ratios being 6i to 1 and 11 to.1. The dog clutches which engage them are controlled by a short lever on the right of the driver. On his left a still shorter lever protrudes through the floorboards and serves to engage an independent reverse gear:
On the countershaft is mounted an external-contracting-band brake operated by pedal, and each front hub carries an internal-expanding brake, the two being controlled by a hand-lever which is equipped with a ratchet.
Placed under the bonnet is. the tank which carries half a gallon of oil and three gallons of fuel, sufficient for 150180 miles, according to the maker's statement. So far as general dimensions are concerned, the wheelbase is 7 ft., the track 4 ft., and the overall length and width 10 ft. and 5 ft. respectively. The
standard van body is 3 ft. 6 ins, wide and 3 ft. 9 ins, high inside, while the length from the dash to the two Teat doors is 6 ft. 9 ins.
Complete with dynamo lighting set, electric horn and the usual tools, the Coventry-Victor 5-cwt. van costs £99 15s. finished in grey with black wheels and wings. A spare wheel is listed as an extra at £3 10s., whilst a starter costs an additional £5.