Engineering in Bodybuilding
Page 28
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ThARALLEL with the many imrovetnents and new designs in commercial-vehicle chassis for the carriage of either goods or passengers, are great advances in bodywork in both classes. We are, therefore, convinced that visitors to Earls Court will be agreeably surprised at the quality of the coachwork exhibited, its variety, and, in many cases, the practicability and cleverness of those models in which new methods of construction have been employed.
It must be admitted that the shortage of highquality, well-seasoned timber has exercised a decided influence upon methods of production. Steel and light metals have come more to the fore, particularly in connection with bodies for passenger vehicles, but also, in some instances, in those for vans and lorries.
The body of to-day is frequently more of an engineering proposition than what, in the past, was considered to be the exclusive field of the old-time coachbuilder.
In some of the latest vehicles it is impossible to say where the body ends and the chassis begins, for the two have been combined. In' others, stressed-skin construction or framework so carefully designed and " knitted " together as to be capable of relieving chassis frames of much of their concentrated stressing, has enabled these to be lightened to such an extent that they are called upon to do little more than hold the various units in their correct relative positions.
Some designs of body show distinct signs of the influence exercised upon their makers by the construction of aircraft. Certain of these and others indicate the increasing tendency to yield to the requirements of operators in respect of case of maintenance and repair. With older types a comparatively minor crash frequently involved a considerable amount of dismantling and rebuilding; with newer models, not only is damage in such cases more localized, but satisfactory repairs can be effected with economy and speed to the small areas concerned, without in any way decreasing the original strength or appearance.
No doubt another influence has. been the need for completely "knocking down" for export. This has involved a considerable amount of standardizing of parts and the developing of simple methods of assembly.
One notable feature of the modern body is that it is largely fireproof, much of the structural material being non-inflammable. Space is also saved, an improvement of great importance in view of the rigid restrictions upon dimensions. In coach and bus work the passengers benefit *accordingly, being given just that little more width which makes for greater comfort.