IMPROVED APPEARANCE FOR THE MUNICIPAL-TYPE BODY
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The Duple Concern Turns Out a 33 seater with the Appearance of a Longdistance Coach TEREE vehicles which illustrate the versatile utility of the Dennis Arrow chassis have recently reached completion at the works of Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., which concern has undertaken, at the request of Dennis Brothers, Ltd., of Guildford, to equip them with different types of body indicating the scope of usefulness of the Arrow passenger chassis.
One is an all-weather 28-seater longdistance vehicle, built to meet Scotland Yard regulations and equipped with a Sunsaloon all-weather head ; another is a 28-seater fixed-head long-distance coach with every saloon comfort ; the third, and perhaps the most interesting, is a 23-seater intended specially for municipal bus work.
This large-capacity vehicle is the result of an interesting effort on the part of the Duple concern to produce a body which will meet with all the particular requirements of municipal service and yet have a better general appearance than the average class of bodywork designed for such purposes.
The latest model of Dennis Arrow chassis, with 16-ft. 6-in, wheelbase, lends itself well, to the rather awkward task, and the result is certainly a pleasing one. Angular corners and excrescencies in the shape of destination boxes, etc., have been quite cleverly avoided. The bus has one ordinary entrance, this being on the near side at the rear. It has a special type of double folding door opening outwards, which is provided at the top with a draught panel, hinged along the top edge. This opens and closes automatically with the door. The door itself has a three-point lock, which is intended to secure it against rattle. The emergency exit is located on the off side at the front of the vehicle.
Quicktho NS-type window gear is employed for the drop windows, in conjunction with glass louvre ventilators. The rear portion of the roof is fully domed and incorporates a shaped glass
panel. The seats are of the Duple special semi-bucket pattern, with upholstery in blue antique leather. To withstand the rather rough usage of municipal service all hand rails, ascending handles, grab handles and similar fittings are finished in blue Doverite. Other body equipment includes roof ventilators, a Numa air-operated bell, lifeguards, windscreen wipers and, of course, the built-in destination indicator. The exterior of the vehicle is finished in Oxford and Cambridge blue, harmonizing nicely with the interior appointment.
The pleasing general effect of the bus, considering that it conforms to municipal requirements, is 'well indicated in the photograph reproduced on this page, even the front of the driver's cab being rounded off to avoid a box-like appearance. The camber of the roof has been chosen to a nicety, and the destination indicator has been inconspicuously merged into the full-width canopy.