REPAIR FACILITIES IN SOUTH LONDON.
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A Large and Well-equipped Repair Shop for Commercial Vehicles. Fleet Maintenance on a Large Scale. Rebuilding Old Bodies.
ONE of the first motorlrepair works winch was established in the south-west of Londonwas French's Garage. This concern. ;won a fine reputation,for consistently good workmanship, and, although comparatively small, it had a very valuable goodwill. The restricted space at its disposal, together with the increasing inflow of work, rendered necessary drastic measures, and it was decided to obtain a suitable site and to build thereon a garage of imposing dimensions. Such is site proved to he available immediately opposite the old garage, and a new company, entitled French's Motor Engineering Works, Ltd., was formed. The building, completed in July, 1920, cost 238000, and consists of four bays, each 90 ft. by. 30 ft., and a showroom 60 ft. by 24 ft.' On the upper floor is the engineers' shop, 120 ft. long and 60 ft. wide; also a well-equipped mess-room and ample lavatory accommodation. At the rear is a yard which will hold 20 lorries, and, in all, as many as 65 vehicles can be dealt with at the same time. To permit vehicles to be "epaired on the upper floor
a 4 ton Waygood.-Otis lift, on the electrooil principle, is installed. This has a single central ram and side support runners. It can raise or lower a complete lorry rapidly and without any jar.
The premises are mainly constructed of concrete with granolithic parings, and the main elevations are in stucco, making a good imitation of Portland stone. The architect was Mx. B. S. Raveiascroft, of 62, Broxholin Road-, West Norwood, London, SE., and the builders, J. Garrett and Son, 83, Balham Hill, Lendon, S.W.
Throughout, the greatest care has been taken to provide ample lighting, and there are no dark out-of-the-way corners in which dirt or rubbish can collect. Every shop, even the washing shorn, is a model of cleanliness, and the building is heated throughout by a low-pressure hotwater system with overhead pipes and radiators round the walls. A small separate building is provided for the hotwater boiler, which is a Robinbood Major, and the water is circulated on the Haden system by means of an impeller..
The showroom and the rest of the works are separated by means of a steel roller blind. At the back of the showroom is the stores, from which goods are served over a counter, and which can be completely enclosed when necessary.
There is a large reception bay, in which every vehicle.coming in for repair is put over the pits and thoroughly inspected to decide whether it is necessary to send it to the overhead fitters' sh4 for major repairs or let it reniain below in the running repair shop..
Next to the receRtion bay is the washing bay, This is supplied with water at high pressure direct from the mains; incidentally, water straight from the mains Is also supplied to the fire hydrants. Attention to detailis shown by the fact that all the electric fittings, etc., in the washing bay are •water-proofed.
Sixteen vehicles can easily be .accom modated in the body shop, which is on the ground floor, but much of the work of repairing and renovating the bodies is done at the old works across the road. Even very old bodies can satisfactorily bc rebuilt at considerably less than the cost of a new body. The process was referred
to by Mr. W. F. French, Junr., who is manager of the works, and who has 'had many years' experience in the overhauling of all types of vehicles, particularly of Hallfoixls, as" half-soloing and heeling." The bodies are provided with new bottom panels and heading, whilst the old frames are ironed up, and the whole thoroughly painted and coach finished, making a. fine job.
The machine shop on the upper floor is particularly well equipped with lathes, grinders, slotters, universal millers, drills, planers, tooth profilers, etc. Elsewhere there is an engine test and running-in bench, and, before being run under their own power, the engines are driven from overhead shafting through the medium of a gearbox, which reduces the speed to that required. There is also a magneto-testing equipment.
In the yaril is a Hollings and Guest hydraulic tyre press with hand-operated pump, and, in connection with this useful equipment, the company hold large stocks of tyres, so thet orders can be dealt with without delay.
Storage of fuel is provided by a 5,000 gallon Bowser underground tank. There are also portable lubricating oil tanks of the same make to hold 600 gallons. In a small separate building is the smithy, where there is a large forge, a brazing hearth, and a Blacker power hammer.
The company hold large contracts for maintenance, including the whole of the fleet of the United Service Iransport Co., Ltd., which includes some 200 vehicles, comprising goods lorries, vans, and motor coaches. Owing to the large quantity of work with which they deal, they are enabled to hold enormous stocks of spare parts for .many well-known vehicles, including the Vulcan, A.E.C. and Hanford.