Van Carries £10,000 Payload
Page 53
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
:A A N order for a large-capacity 'body,
based on an economical and manceuvrable chassis, has recently been carried out by Henlys, Ltd., Commercial Vehicles Division, Osnaburgh Street, London, N.W.1. The requirements were for a vehicle to carry made-up furs, which called for special fittings.
The chassis chosen was a Trojan which is powered by a two-stroke engine. To enhance the general appearance of the machine the radiator grille, head lamps, bumper bar, hub caps, door handles and windscreen framing were chromium-plated. The driver's cab was modified by the installation of a benchtype seat upholstered in uncut moquette; used also for lining the cab.
In order to fit the bench seat, it was found necessary to " crank " the gear lever, which would otherwise have fouled the seat. As altered, the lever now appears to fall even more con": veniently to hand. On the near side of the cab, a small folding desk is affixed to the front bulkhead.
As regards the body, this was required to carry a number of full-length fur coats, and rails are provided at each
side. With a height of 5 ft. 2 ins, the internal dimensions of the body are: length 7 ft., and width 5 ft. Beneath the garment rails are two baize-lined boxes running the full length of the body. These are 18 ins, wide and 18 ins, deep, and serve to contain the hems of the furs to prevent them becoming soiled.,
A 2-ft-wide gangway between the boxes permits easy access to the garments. The body is entered from the rear, where the spare-wheel cover is hinged to form a convenient step. In view of the high value of the goods usually carried, three locks are provided on the rear door, one of Yale type and two of the conventional door-handle pattern. Each of the cab doors carries a locking handle and a small car-type • door lock, making a total of seven locks. A load might consist of up to 70 furs, valued at, say, £10.000.
Constructed on a hardwood frame, with reinforced flitch-plates and panelled in metal-faced plywood, the body is lined with varnishedplywood. The exterior finish is in black; Superfine, Ltd., 7, Sugar House Lane, London, E.15, was responsible for the body.