A BUILT-UP SECTIONAL COACH BODY.
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A New Idea in Lorry Conversion.
IN OUR last week's issue, we briefly referred to i sectional type of motor coach body which can be built up on an ordinary goods vehicle. We have often expressed our opinion that the vehicle used for general haulage is not suited to passenger work, and, although most ex perieneed proprietors are not in favour of the utilization of one vehicle for two distinct purposes, there are others who endeavour to obtain all-the-year-round remunerative ..employment for their machines by using them for coach work
during the summer months and for goods haulage during the winter period of the year. There will always be a demand for the dual-purpose vehicle so long as these views exist, and while the demand prevails there will always be manufacturers out to meet it.
The chief idea of the sectional coach body illustrated herewith is to do away with the need for laborious exertion when converting an ordinary goods vehicle to a char-a-bancs. In this design the lorry body is built up on a chassis in the ordinary way. The driver's seat is a fixture, which obviates the need, when making the conversion, for disconnecting the petrol tank when it ia placed under the seat. When the vehicle is engaged on ordinary haulage, a strong back is fitted behind this seat, which carries the hood intended to protect the driver.
The coach body is made up of six distinct sections, each section forming one row of seats capable of accommodating five persons. The joints to each section, when it is erected, are concealed by using strips of moulding as shown in the accompanying drawing ; the type of bolt fastening is also depicted. Each section is attached to the lorry body by means of a long bolt on either side, which passes through the wood channel, cooping iron and side rail of the lorry body. The sections are all made to template, which enables the body to be put on the market at a reasonable price.
We understand that coach bodies built on these lines have been fitted to such vehicles as Leyland, Karrier, Ford, Dennis, Con-liner Cars, Vulcan, etc., i which shows that the idea s not restricted to any particular type of
chassis design. When not in use, the sections cart be stored away without occupying much space.
The idea is the patent of Mr. J. Barker, of Messrs. F. D. Barker and Sons, Coachhuilders, of King's Cross, Halifax, who claims that Iwo men can easily convert a 3-4 tort lorry into a 30 seater coach in less than 30 minutes, proportionately less time being occupied in the conversion of lighter vehicles.