Michelin Demonstration Coaches Tour Great Britain
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TWOpairs of coaches are being demonstrated throughout Great Britain during the course of the next six months by the Michelin Tyre Co. Ltd., to show operators at first hand the fuel-economy gains to be achieved from the use of Michelin " X " tyre equipment. The demonstrations started on Tuesday, with two of the coaches at Brighton and the other pair at Canterbury, and having covered various areas of England the tours will finish on August 1 with one set of vehicles in Belfast and the other in Aberdeen, It is understood that virtually all of the 600 invitations so far issued to operators have been accepted, so it can be assumed that this venture will attract a considerable amount of interest.
Two of the coaches have Leyland Leopard L.2 chassis with 130-b.h.p. 0.600 engines, four-speed synchromesh gearboxes and 4.111-to-1 spiral-bevel rear axles, and these chassis are equipped with Plaxton panorama bodies and 9.00-20 tyres. The other chassis are Bedford •Stypes, with 330-cu.-in, diesel engines, five
speed overdrive-top gearboxes and 5.8to-1 axles. These have Harrington Crusader bodies and 8.25-20 tyres. All four vehicles have been equipped with 6-gal. fuel-test tanks, into the bases of which are fitted photo-electric cell units which cause bells to ring when the fuel level reaches zero, and recording fifth wheels are used to operate 9-in, speedometers, mounted prominently above the windscreens, and electric-impulse distance recorders.
For the demonstrations the coaches will run in pairs, one coach being equipped with " X " tyres and the other with conventional textile tyres, the "X "equipped vehicle travelling behind the other, as this is the less favourable position. After the morning run, during which drinks will be served, the wheels will be changed from coach to coach, following which the test runs will be repeated while lunches are served in the coaches. Each coach has a bar and a servery. and four Australian hostesses will accompany the vehicles throughout their travels.