A SALOON BUS WITH A LOW LOAD-LINE.
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Outstanding Features of a Rea-Pullman Model, in which the Company's Latest Chassis Productinn wtth a Six cylinderEngine is Employed.
our issue dated January 20th we I published an illustrated description of the new Reo-Pullman chassis, the product of the Reo Motor Co., of Lansing, Michigan, marketed in this country by Harris and Hasell, Ltd., of 130. Great Portland Street, London, • W.1, and Bristol, which has been particularly designed for passenger work. One of the first examples of this chassis, fitted with a saloon bus body, has just been delivered to Mr. Wilson Marshall, of Avonbridge, who already runs a large fleet of buses.
The Reo-Pullman chassis possesses a number of, features which render it eminently suitable for passenger service. In the first place, it is constructed on private car lines, and, in the second, it can claim a low-loading line in so far as the frame height from the ground is but 23, ins. unladen and 21 ins, under load. This is a most desirable feature for buses and coaches, and is one that is invoking the attention of most of the prominent makers.
The Reo-Pullman chassis is one of the few in which a six-cylinder engine is employed. The unit, which has a good range of flexibility, has a bore of 341-4. ins, and a stroke of 5 ins., and develops 50 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m. It has overhead inlet valves, operated by enclosed push rods and rocker arms, and embodies several features indicative of the latest developments in design.
The clutch is of the dry-plate pattern, and the drive is conveyed to a threespeed-and-reverse gearbox, thence being taken to a vertical banjo-type rear axle.
One of the outstanding features of the chassis is the use of four-wheel brakes, and a further refinement is the employment of supplementary leaf springs below the rear main-spring assemblies.
The body of the Rea-Pullman saloon bus which we illustrate was built by Messrs. Strachan and Drown. of Wales
Farm Road, North Acton, London, W.8, and it is of extremely light construction. It is well appointed, and embodies features which are intended to give the maximum comfort to passengers at any time of the year.
The vehicle provides accommodation for 21 people, a combination of transverse and longitudinal seating being favoured. There are two transverse seats on the near side and three on the off side, separated by a central gangway, behind which seats disposed lengthwise join up with that running across the body at the rear. The transverse seats have deep spring backs, and all the scats have spring cushions, suit.ably raked and upholstered in antiquepattern leather to harmonize with the oak finish of the interior. By arranging the seats in this manner no discomfort is caused by the intrusion of the rear-wheel arches into the body.
Three Strachan and Brown patent drop lights are fitted in each side of the body, and these can be regulated at any height 'or lowered to the maximum extent.
The driver's position is separated from the main seating compartment by a full-depth partition, in which there are two windows, and these can be covered at night by a drop curtain in order toprevent refraction from roof
lamps. The body is, of course, of the one-man-operated type, and the passenger entrance at the front, where a twopiece door completely encloses the step. This opening is of good width, and, on account of the low level of the frame, only a single step with a fairly deep riser is. needed to give access to the interior.
The emergency door in the rear panel can be operated from inside or outside ; in the latter case it is necessary to break a thin pane of glass below the main light in order to operate the lever controlling the door.
This Rea-Pullman saloon bus possesses a smart and attractive appearance. The body is painted a bright red with black mouldings. Its general outline is suggestive of comfort.