A POST-WAR CHAR-A-BANCS.
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Refinement of Body Design Characterizes the Dennis Production.
It is some six months ago that a de. acription appeared in The Commercial Motor of the 40 h.P. Dennis chassis intended for use in char-a-banes work, and it will be remembered that that vehicle was very similar to the Dennis subsidy chassis as used extensively on the Western Front.
During the past few months the pro
duction of chars-a-bands in the Guildford works has proceeded rapidly, and we are enabled now to illustrate the completed vehicle, and to describe the most interesting features of the bodywork.
In virtue of the nature of its service, a smart external appearance is essential to a char-a-bancs ; this, and provision for the comfort of the passengers, are the
considerations that must chiefly occupy the mind of the designer. Especially is it important, in a climate like that of the British Isles, to make adequate provision against inclement weather : nothing tends to prejudice the minds of the public against a conveyance more than does a severe drenching due to a sudden storm. With this in view, Messrs. Dennis Bros. have provided the patent Cape cart hood seen at the rear of the vehicle ; this is fitted with side curtains, and, when up in wet weather, enables, the passengers to make a dry journey.
Messrs. Dennis Bros., at whose Guildford works the bodies as well as the chassis are being built, were fortdnate enough to secure a large Stock of timber as long ago as the early part Of 1913; and this aah and oak, panelled with sheet metal, makes the smart and serviceable body depicted in the illustration appended. Each of the six rows of seats is fitted
with coil springs and stuffed with horsehair ; the upholatering is in English leather. One appreciates immediately the convenience afforded to passengers entering or leaving the char-a banes by the double steps that run along the entire length of the chassis. These steps, in conjunction with the neat windscreen and the Trimly polished metal fittingo, afford the whole vehicle a prepossessing appearance, which will doubtless add to its value when it is in service.