A New Idea in Coach Design
Page 63
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AMOST unusual design of coach has been prepared by Mr. C. Huxsty, 29, Bnckland Lane, Maidstone, with the object of providing every passenger with an equal opportunity for viewing the countryside. He is of the opinion that long-distance road travel has not yet reached a stage of perfection, not only on account of the lime involved in making journeys, but because passengers occupying the inner seats cannot obtain so good a view of the scenery as can those more favourably placed.
Mr. Huxsty is greatly interested in
coach travel and is anxious to obtain the views of readers of The Commercial Motor on the design he has evolved, and Which is shown herewith.
His aim of giving each passenger an unobstructed view forwards, together with wider vision to the sides, has been achieved without sacrificing seating capacity and comfort. -by raising the seats in steps towards the body centre.
By reason of the obstruction created by the driver's cab, the seat immediately to the rear of the driver has been omitted, the space providing a suitable position for a low-level emergency exit. The seating arrangement allows for 28 passengers, whilst provision is made for a toilet compartment on the off side, at the rear of the vehicle.
Further advantages obtained from raising the seats are that ample luggage accommodation can be provided beneath them, whilst easy access is given to nearly the full, length of the transmission. It is also suggested that a portion of this space could be set aside for housing the spare wheel.
The body has been designed with a viewAto its being mounted upon a forward-control chassis, with a reasonable amount of space provided for the driver, a frame height of 2 ft., and an overall height of 11 ft. The last-named dimension compares favourably, says Mr. Huxsty, with that of the modern observation coach, in which only six passengers obtain an unobstructed view.
He points out that under the Ministry of Transport regulations, a single-deck vehicle must not exceed 10 ft. in height, but as the overall height of an observation coach exceeds this dimension, be cannot see any objection from this point of view. He points out that, with the driver behind the engine, the overall height could be reduced, because the driving position would be lower. He further remarks that although a number of passengers has to face to the rear, he can sec no reason why this should cause discomfort.