New Commer Bus and Van Chassis
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TWO new models by Commer Cars. Ltd., Luton, will be exhibited at the Commercial Motor Show. One is a passenger-carrying edition of the underfloor-engined vehicle, for which a body is being built by Thos. Harrington, Ltd., Hove. The other is
an 8-cwt. van. , The new passenger chassis has a sixcylindered o.h.v engine, developing 109 b.h.p. It is set at 66 degrees to the vertical. The crankshaft is of the seven-bearing type. Top and third ratios of the four-speed gearbox have helical gears and a 12-in. heavy-duty clutch is employed.
Various Seating Capacities
Bodies will be available in service-bus and luxury-coach form, with seating capacity normally 34-35 and 31-32 or 32-33 respectively, according to make of body. To meet the requirements of passenger-vehicle operation, the new chassis has a high-output dynamo of compensated voltage control type, whilst two six-volt batteries are fitted, each of 115 amp.-hour capacity and connected in series.
Steel disc wheels of 20-in, diameter with 5-in, rims are fitted, and are equipped with 8.25-in. by 20-in, lowpressure tyres (twins at the rear). Front brake drums are of 16-in. diameter and n ins, wide, and those at the rear are 16 ins. by 3-?, ins.
. The deep-sectioned wide-flanged frame is dropped at the rear end; pressed and tubular cross-members are used. Springing is by reverse-camber seini-elliptics; braking is hydraulic, with vacuum assistance.
A notable point in connection with the underfloor engine is that the cab is extra spacious and free from obstruction, whilst temperature control is made simple and effective.
The left-hand control coach under construction is one of a big batch for Misr Airlines, Cairo. Although the body is of generous dimensions and the engine obviously gives ample power for maximum seating capacity, the coach is only a 24-seater, because of the special requirements of operation. Moreover, there is an 80 cubic ft. luggage compartment at the rear.
This body, which will be finished in white, is constructionally representative of the latest design of Harrington allmetal production.
The modern front, similar to that of the goods chassis, has been retained. but the main cab and windscreen shell have given way to the accurately moulded frontal structure of the body itself. In the finished vehicle there will be nothing to indicate where the chassis manufacturer finished and the bodymaker began.
The body is of the now familiar " prefabricated" aluminium extrusion and sheet construction.
The 1948 version of the 8-cwt. Supervan, which was announced this week. has been restyled in the modern manner and embodies many technical refinements. Foremost of its innovations is the independent front suspension system, which incorporates a large cross-member carrying two coil springs and double wishbone links.
This system ensures that, the track remains virtually constant within the limits of movement. Extra long semielliptic springs, with steel and rubber bushes, are fitted to the rear axle. Both front and rear suspension systems employ Armstrong hydraulic pistonpattern shock absorbers.
The original chassis has been modified considerably, there being an increase in the frontal and rear track, and 21 ins, has been added to the overall length, it is more manoeuvrable than its predecessor, the turning circle now being 33 ft. The weight factor has been carefully studied, and the new model weighs 16t cwt„ which is 1 cwt. less than before. I3ody and chassis are welded together, forming a unit.
The steering column gear-selector lever has been retained, but a new side mounted, synchromesh . crashproof gearbox is provided. A phase Ill fourcylindered side valve engine is fitted, this unit incorporating a new design of camshaft to afford more power than its predecessor. .
More Power Per Litre
The former engine developed 30 b.h.p., hut the new one has an output of 35 b.h.p. at 4,100 r.p.m. for the same bore, stroke and capacity. A Solex downdraught carburetter is used in conjunction with an air silencer and exhaust-heated hot spot.
Lockheed hydraulic braking is employed on all four wheels, with twoleading-shoe brakes on the front wheels. The hand brake, which formerly operated on all wheels, is now linked by mechanical means to the rear wheels only. • A spring 1-spoke wheel controls the worm-and-nut steering unit, which is attached rigidly to the frame. Because of the front suspension system, the track rod has a divided linkage, which is lubricated at ,all important working points.
Reduction in the weight of the chassis has enabled extra low-pressure tyres of 5.50 by 15 ins, to be fitted.
Among the highlight tt of the newstyle body is an Opticurve anti-dazzle windscreen, with special twin double
blade wipers. Pull-out safety ' door handles add to the flowing lines of the body.