Beardmore.
Page 12
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TAXICABS of Beardmore make are familiar sights in London streets and those of other towns and cities; one of these models, known as the Fifteen Standard, is exhibited. Springing is of the semi-elliptictype all round, and, of course, the chassis is designed to comply with the requirements of Scotland Yard for use in the Metropolis.
• Rated at 15.6 h.p. for Treasury purposes, the taxicab engine has pump water circulation and a force-feel lubrication system is employed. Ignition is by high-tension magneto and a Zenith instrument attends to the carburation. Standard gear ratios are 4.28, 6.26, 9.97 and 17.15 to 1, thus giving a range capable of dealing with all classes of gradient and traffic conditions. A righthand gear lever is employed, thus giving full luggage space to the left of the driver. Cone clutch, full-floating rear axle with bevel final drive and both brakes opdating in the rear-wheel drums are items in the specification. Detachable steel-spoke wheels are employed.
Coming to heavier Models, there is the 30-cwt. chassis, which has a fourcylinder engine, four-speed gearbox, overhead worm drive and both brakes in the rear wheel drums. Pneumatic tyres are mounted on the disc wheels.
The engine of the 30-cwt. machine is also rated at 15.6 h.p. and is lubricated on the forced-feed system, and cooling is dealt with by a water pump. The firing point of the magneto is variable.
Having a similar .specification is the D6
30-cwt. boxvan, panelled in metal with folding doors and a sliding door behind the driver. This is painted green with black wings and mouldings. Also, on the 20-cwt. chassis is a 14-seater charil-bancs, finished blue and provided with an eminently practicable, all-weather ,equipment.
The 16-seater bus, designed for oneman operation, attracts considerable attention. This is finished in blue with black wings and upper portion surmounted by a white roof. Level with the driver's seat is a double folding door on the near side and an emergency door is fixed at the rear with handles inside and outside.
The spare tyre on this vehicle is carried underneath at the rear and the battery is mounted on the off-side running board. The lights at the side are of the sliding type, and ample window space
is provided at the rear. Behind the driver is a roll-up curtain which can be 4, unfastened and fixed between the roof and the back of the driver's seat to separate him from the passengers ; this also somewhat reduces the glare from the interior lights for the driver of oncoming vehicles.
Driven by an electric motor is an elaborately sectioned engine showing the details of design and the Beardmore workmanship. This exhibit reveals the principles of the internal-combustion engine and the size of the bearings and those features which can be relied upon to give lasting satisfaction in service.
The 15-cwt. delivery van has a 15.6 h.p. engine and drives through a fourspeed forward gearbox to the spiral. bevel full-floating rear axle; both brakes are on the rear wheels, electric lighting and starting equipment are fitted to this model, and the box'van body is tastefully finished in blue. . Beardmore Motors, Ltd., 112, Gt. Portland Street, London, W.1.