Rover Produces a 1 0-cwt. Van
Page 49
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rilHERE is not a great deal of differ_L•ence between the weight of a van body and that of enclosed passenger bodywork, if the two types be designed to it a mutual chassis. Furthermore, many paivate cars, even in the smaller classes, are often loaded with five heavy passengers, so that it is not difficult to adapt a pleasure-car chassis to the requirements of a small commercial vehicle. This must have been in the minds of the designers at the Rover Co., Ltd., Meteor Works, Rover Road, Coventry, when they set about producing a 10-cwt. delivery van, for the company's 10 h.p. chassis is the basis of the vehicle, and after prolonged tests of an experimental machine their contention has been proved to be correct.
To all private motorists the Rover Ten needs no introduction, because it is a model which has been on the market for some years, and although modernized from time to time, the original conception remains practically intact. It is, therefore, a thoroughly tried proposition.
The new vehicle has been designed to meet the demand for economical transport of reasonably small loads. It is capable of taking its full rated capacity of 10 mt., which can occupy a space of no fewer than 80 cubic ft. The body is -5 ft. 4 ins. long, 4 ft. wide arid is 3 ft. 7! ins, high, all dimensions being exclusive of the driver's seat. An interesting feature in the design of the bodywork is.that a single bucket-type seat is provided behind the steering wheel, leaving a large space to the driver's left hand, which can be used, if desired, for pay-load. Alternatively, a second seat (similar to the driver's) can, if required, be fitted in this space, at an
extra charge of £3 5s., or a drop-down occasional seat for 12 5s. extra.
With overall dimensions of 13 ft. 2 ins. (length), 5 ft. 3 ins. (width) and 5 ft. 10 ins. (height), there is no suspicion that the body is too large for the chassis and, due to careful moulding of the panels, the general shape of the assembly is impressive. The wheelbase is 8 ft. S ins, and the track 4 ft. 2 ins., and suspension is effected by means of semi-elliptic spriegs at the front and quarter elliptics at the rear, with shock absorbers all round.
The engine is an efficient unit of 1,185 c.c. and is rated at 9.8 h.p. Overhead valves operated by push-rods are a modern feature and facilitate decarbonization of the combustion chambers by allowing the cylinder head to be easily removable. Lubrication is effected. by a gear-type pump which auxiliary drive to the dynamo and ignition distributor housed on the near side. The last-named component, by the way, is rotated by means of the dynamo armature shaft, with the result that the: distributor itself is brought into a convenient and accessible position.
Both the clutch and gearbox are mounted as a unit with the engine, the drive being taken through a single-plate clutch to a three-speed gearbox with the following ratios :--5.2 to 1, 9.8 to 1 and 19.5 to 1. Thereafter an enclosed propeller shaft having a centre bearing to prevent whirling at high speeds connects with a worm-type rear axle in which the half shafts are semi-floating.
A four-wheel-braking system is included and all shoes are of the internalexpanding type, actuated by rods. The foot brake operates on all four wheels, whilst the hand brake applies shoes to the rear drums. Despite the low price of 1160 at which this Rover 10 h.p. van is offered, there has been no skimping of equipment. A spare wheel carrying a tyre is housed under the body at the rear.
Alf electric4ighting and starting set is included in the specification, as well as an electric horn, a windscreen wiper, an electric light in the roof of the body, a rear-view mirror, a safety-glass 'windscreen and the usual facia-board equipment Altogether; it may be said that the Rover van represents excellent value.