Lower Prices for New Commers
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LAST Monday Commer Cars, Ltd,, introduced a new lower-priced 5-ton
forward control underfloor engined goods chassis available with either Commer 102.5 b.h.p. petrol engine or Rootes 70 b.h.p, two-stroke oil engine.. The petrol-engined chassis costs £885, plus £208. 18s. 4d. purchase tax, and the oiler has a chassis price of £1,240, plus £297 13s. 4d. tax. The standard cab costs £93, but a de luxe cab, as fitted to the 7-ton chassis, can be supplied for £100.
The 5-ton chassis which the new models replace had basic prices of £900 (petrol) and £1.265 (oiler), these figures carrying £211 17s. 4d. and £303 2s. 4d, purchase tax respectively.
In appearance the new models reSemble Karrier vehicles, having the same radiator grille pressing. The use of chrome embellishments has been cut to a miniinum to reduce costs, but such items as rear corner lights and twin windscreen-wipers have been retained.
The petrol engine has plain cylinder bores, but chromium-plated top piston rings are used. An 11-in, clutch is employed, whilst the oil engine carries a 13-in, unit. Unlike other current Commer chassis a synchromesh gearbox is not fitted. Instead, the four-speed constant-mesh box used on earlier models has been employed, again with the object of keeping prices down.
Only one wheelbase-11 ft. 9 in.—is offered and a Commer 15-ft. 6-in, drop' side body is available. This costs £110. The standard axle ratios are 6.57 to 1 (petrol) and 5,857 to 1 (oiler), but an Eaton 16500 two-speed axle is offered as optional equipment. The overdrive gearbox is not available on either ol4 chassis, but power-assisted steering may be purchased as additional equipment. A 16-gal, fuel tank is standard, with the option of a 24-gal. tank.
Hydraulic two-leading-shoe brakes are fitted, with a Clayton Dewanctre
vacuum servo, and the total facing area is 438 sq. in. Semi-elliptic springs without dampers form the suspension, and helper leaves arc offered for the rear axle at extra cost. The chassis frame has a maximum depth of 8-Ain,