A New Fiat Light Van
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IT is some time since we were able to announce any fresh activities on the part of Fiat (England), Ltd.' of Western Avenue, Acton, London, W.3, this company's interests in Britain having, for the past year or BA been concentrated upon the sale of motorcars of various sizes.
We are in a position now, however, to give readers first information concerning a new chassis which is to be marketed here for delivery-van purposes, the useful pay load being 8 cwt. It is to be avail-able with two styles of bodywork. As a box-type delivery van, the vehicle will be marketed at £245, and as a private car, the rear upholstery of which can be removed to convert it for commercial uses, the retail price will be £250.
The chassis is virtually a modification of the well-known 10-30 h.p. private-car chassis, being different in the wheelbase measurement, the rear-axle ratio and the size of tyres fitted.
The engine is a four-cylindered sidevalve unit of 67 mm. bore and 102 mm. stroke, the capacity being 1,438 c.c. and the R.A.C. rating 11.1 h.p. The camshaft and auxiliaries are driven by silent chain, which, of course, is adjustable for tension ; ignition is by coil, the range being controlled automatically and manually. To assist the cooling, the water is circulated by pump and a fan is fitted. Lubrication of engine bearings is by submerged pump, supplying oil under pressure to all vital points. The cylinder bead is of the detachable kind and the oil sump may be detached from the crankcase. The upper half of the crankcase is cast integrally with the cylinder block. The crankshaft has three main bearings. A Soles verticaltype carburetter is fitted, petrol being fed to it by gravity, and an uncommon feature is a petrol injector for starting purposes.
The engine forms a unit with the clutch housing and gearbox, and is mounted in the chassis frame at four C46 .
points, rubber insulation being employed. The clutch is of the single-plate dry type and the gearbox, which has central, control, provides four speeds. forward and reverse. The drive is conveyed thence by an open propeller shaft, with metal universal joints, to a helicalbevel rear axle.
Braking equipment is provided on all four wheels and is of the orthodox internal-expanding type, operation being either by pedal or a centrally disposed hand lever. The steering gear is of the worm-and-wheel pattern. Suspension at front and rear is by semi-elliptic springs with recoil dampers, whilst 28-in. by 5.25-in. tyres are standard.
Fiat 6-volt lighting equipment is provided, an Exide 100-amp.-hour accumulator comprising part of the set. The instrument board accommodates a speedometer, oil-pressure and petrollevel gauges, ammeter, lamp switches and ignition switch, the last-named being provided with a lock. The steering wheel has, in addition to the usual horn button, a head-lamp control to eliminate dazzle. Metal parts are finished in chromium plating.
For both types of bodywork the wheelbase is 9 ft. and the track 4 ft. and the chassis weighs 123. cwt. The deliveryvan body, which is the type likely to interest the larger number of our readers, is of wood and steel framework and has steel panelling. The fully framed doors are equipped with mechanical window winders.
The price of £245 includes leather upholstery, a single-panel windscreen with wiper, cellulose finish and interior painting throughout.