Composite Construction in New Standard Coach Body
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THE establishment of Duffield Motors, Ltd., Portsmouth Road, Godalming, Surrey, in September of last year, marked the founding of a coachbuiraing business which should develop into an organization with a large production capacity. Apart from meeting export orders, the company is at present producing one standard-type coach body per week for the home market, and this under conditions of workshop accommodation which are far from ideal.
A representative of "The Commercial Motor" recently inspected the home-market body, known as the Hogger, in all stages of construction, together with a finished export-type body on a Guy Vixen chassis.
A composite form of construction is adopted, in which the framing, cut...out to patterns, is of oak and ash, and the panelling of aluminium and steel. In the case of the home-market body—a 32-33-seater—the front-entrance door is of the sliding type, with the emergency door, on the off side, hung on hinges.
There are four full-drop windows on the off side, and three on the near side, and for ventilation there are four exterior cowls, a metal louvre above the sliding door, and glazed louvres, in chromium-plated frames, above the windows. Comfortable accommodation is provided by either double-spring or Sorbo-cushion seats, with leather headrests, and upholstery in moquette with leather facings.
The woodwork, in all cases, is treated with a preservative, special precautions being taken in respect of bodies built for overseas operation. All metal panels are treated with an antidrumming compound which is applied in the form of an adhesive.
The export body, whilst being plain in comparison with the coach body, nevertheless has comfortable seating, and the interior has an air of spaciousness about it which should make a
particular appeal to passengers in the hot country in which the vehicle is destined to operate. All woodwork is treated against insect pests, and the roof is insulated against the effects of heat.
In addition to passenger bodies, the company is engaged on the production of pantechnicon and van bodies, of which it has already built a large number. Bigger and more suitable premises have been acquired in the area, but these will not be ready for occupation for some months.