More and more mini and midibuses
Page 20
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• If bus and coach operators can be persuaded that the greater use of minibuses or midibuses is an economical proposition, there should be no difficulty in obtaining them, writes Derek Moses. Following last week's announcement of the new Charterway Cocker 16-seat midibus, with a range of other models to follow, comes the news of another newcomer to the bus body business in the shape of Charley Coachcraft Ltd,ofChorley,Lancs.
For the past 10 months this company has been designing and building a prototype 20-seat minibus based on the Leyland Redline FG 550 chassis. Both the company's managing director, Mr Bernard Hanson, and his bodybuilding. manager, Mr Joe Whittle, are ex-Leyland Motors men, the former having worked in the painting department and the latter as a bodybuilder.
The new body is constructed in integral mild steel T' section with hardwood packings and rails. The sections are secured with high-tensile steel bolts and panelling is of 18 gauge NS3 aluminium with joints sealed and covered with ornamental moulds. Standard engine in the FG 550 is a 3.8-litre four-cylinder diesel with an output of 70 bhp at 2400 rpm. An optional alternative is a four-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 87 bhp at 3000 rpm. Both drive through a four-speed gearbox with constant mesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
A liberal use of mahogany and chrome fittings has been employed inside the body, and the interior is spacious with plenty of room between the high backed seats. Two lift-up vents are employed in the roof, and a double locker with 45 cu ft luggage accommodation is fitted at the rear of the body, with two outward opening doors for easy access.
Basic dimensions are wheelbase 13ft Yin., overall length 20ft 5in., overall width 7ft 6in., overall height 81t Hin. (including 4in. for roof vents), interior floor length 12ft 3in., floor width 7ft lin. and interior height 6ft lin.
Sparshatt production Meanwhile, production lines have been laid down at the Portsmouth factory of J. H. Sparshatt and Sons Ltd for volume building of the company's new bus range (CM January 29). The standard 20/22-seat bus introduced last year as a new departure for Sparshatts immediately attracted a wide interest from industry and local authorities for its potential as a works, school and welfare bus or an economical psv, the company claims.
This bus is to be joined by a smaller '16-seat model, and two larger models offering seating capacities of 26 and 30. "Volume production has enabled Sparshatts to make substantial price reductions—for example, the 20-seat bus now costs £1585, plus price of chassis.
Basic units are the British Leyland 420 FG 129in. wheelbase (16-seater); 550 FG 129in. wheelbase (20/22 seats); 700 FG 145in. wheelbase (26 seats). The bus is also availible in 20-, 26and 30-seat versions with similar bodies on the Leyland Terrier 650 TR, 750 TR and 850 TR chassis.
On the new production line are 20/22-seat buses under construction for British Railways, West Mercia Police Force and Derby County Council.