THE LATEST ALL-WEATHER BODY.
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A New Design which Incorporates an Interesting Root Arrangement.
TafiE LATEST attempt to solve the problem of an all-weather passenger-carrying body of large seating capacity is indicated by the illustrations • which we publish on this page, which show the most recent body produced by the Hickman Body Building Co., Ltd., 8, Grove Road, Balham, Londen, S.W.12. This company have previously devoted their energies mainly to the production of lightweight omnibus bodies, but realizing that there.is a certain demand for a vehicle with a body which can be used either completely open or as, an allweather saloon, they have produced a design which is deserving of special attention.
The design of the new body follows very closely the lines of the motor coach, from the flush-side scuttle dash to the
well-rounded rear corners. Two wide doors, which have frameless windows Which let down between the outer and inner panels, give access to the interior which provides seating for SO passengers in the usual type of transverse seats. These doors are hung at their front ends to the windscreen pillars, and as the body curves in several inches at the front they do not imduly project when the door is .open.
Trite body is well-proportioned, the depth of panels, windows, contour of roof and the easy rise of the elbow line round the back giving the vehicle a very shapely appearance.
The interior seating provides passengers with the maximum of comfort. The upholstering is carried out in a handsome shade of blue antique leather ; the spring cushions of the seats are unusually long and wide, and the fluted back squabs are of ample height.Trimmed elbow rails----a standard feature of Hickman productions by the way—are used in this body. Ail the side windows are fitted in Honduras mahogany frames, and they are
made to drop OR IliCkMan rattle-proof fittiugs—a device for which the company are seeking a patent. As is usual practice with bodies of this type, an emergency door with. a safety bar and indicating lever ` to open" is provided.
The arrangement of the roof of this body (which is being protected by patent) is, naturally enough, the most interesting feature of. its construction. The body, when closed, has a roof which in appearance and effect ia a fixed roof made of V-jointed matchboarding
and covered with canvas. This roof, however, is laid upon a light framework suitably strengthened, which is readily removable in two sections. When this roof is Off, the remaining structure-comprises a light hoop stick across each pair of pillars, and two light longitudinal reinforced members which extend from the back section to the driver's screen. Upon this framing is fitted a khaki duck cover, fixed with straps to permit of any necessary adjustment due to shrinkage of the material. When not required for use this cover is rolled back and carried on the hack section of the body.
The special advantages claimed for the arrangement. are that a completely weatherproof omnibus is protided for winter use and a completely open coach for summer use. Attention is directed to the fact that the body is open from the driver's screen to within 18 ins, of the extreme back of the body, that all side windows drop, and that the windscreen opens in either direction.
The painting scheme, carried out by the builders, to the order of Brown's Motor Co., of Tunstall, is also interesting —the body is in white enamel with black mouldings, the chassis and wing also being black.
An Up-to-date Motorbus. Station.
The Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd., who operate a comprehensive network of motorbus services in the Midlands, have just opened a central bus station in Derby for the convenience of the travelling public. There are several motor coach stations established in different parts of the country, but, to the best of our .knowledge, this is the first station erected for the specific purpose of centralizing bus tr
The station is located right in the heart of the town, in Albert Street, and the company's buses running on all routes will start in future from this site..
A parcels office, a waiting-room and lavatory accommodation have been provided at the station, and a covered-in plat, or with seats for waiting passengers is included in the scheme. The parcels office is also a cloakroom, for, apart from being a centre from which parcels will be distributed, it will beef special benefit to passengers corning from outside areas, who can leave their parcels, etc., at the station whilst they are-engaged in shopping-or Other business in the town. • The Trent Motor Traction Co. are a very progressive concern anti, under the able direction of Mr.,. Clabburn,-the general manager, the fleet of the company . has during the past, three years grown from a dozen vehicles to 60. As a result of extended services. they have found it necessary during the past two years to open garages at Nottingham, Alfreton, Loughborough, Heanor, Mansfield and
Melbourne. • Apart from the. extensive bus services which are Yun,='and Which are-highly appreciated by the rural population, the company also run a number of motor coaches. They maintain during the simmer months lour days a week a through service from Derby to Matlock,whieh connects with the service between Matlock and Buxton run by the British Automobile Traction Co. Some Of, the single-deck buses owned by the company arenun on pneumatic tyres, . which are acknowledged by passengers to give exceptional riding comfort.