Bristol Flat Chassisless Engine for Prototype
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• IT is understood that the Bristol Tram ways and Carriage Co., Ltd., Bristol, is building a prototype 30-ft. single-deck chassisless bus with a horizontal engine under the floor, midway between the axles. The power unit is the Bristol AVW 100 b.h.p. oil engine modified for horizontal •operation and with the cylinder lit Js arranged towards the near side.
With the clutch and five-speed overdrive-top gearbox attached as a unit, a straight transmission line to the offset spiral-bevel drive of the rear axle is afforded. An underfloor radiator is placed between the engine and front axle.
Full use is being made of light alloys to reduce the unladen weight and improve performance. In addition to the aluminium radiator, crankcase and gearbox housing, the underfrarne is being made with H.S.10.W.P. magnesium-silicide light alloy, of 5/32-in, to i-in. thickness, riveted together with gusset plates to form a unit on which the transmission assembly is mounted.
This underframe. which has previously been erected for a length of 27. ft. 6 ins, and equipped with a horizontal four-cylindered engine, is so strong that it may be loaded and tested in the same way as a normal chassis before the body sides, bulkhead and roof units are fitted. Light-alloy sheet is to be used ftdr the body, the side frame
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being strengthened with .16 S.W.G. aluminium interior truss panels, with suitable -stiffeners.
1 he construction of.double-.deckers to a length of 27 ft., which. will be permitted in vehicles registered for the first time after June 1 next. -hasalready begun at the Bristol works.