Smithfield Show: Useful Go-anywhere Vehicle
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CONTRARY to many speculative
reports, The Commercial Motor now has it on good authority that there is no likelihood of the BMC 948 cc. diesel engine used in the new Mini-Tractor being adopted in either cars or light vans in the foreseeable future.
At Smithfield The new diesel is to be seen in the Mini-Tractor at the Smithfield Show, which closes today. It is a derivative of the BMC A-type engine—of which there have been well over 2m. produced—and is a four-cylinder, four-stroke unit developing 15 b.h.p. at 2,500 r.p.m. It shares many common parts with the petrol engine, in particular the dry liners which have proved so successful.
BMC have developed the engine specifically for the Mini-Tractor and two of the features of the engine are the almost complete lack of diesel knock at low and idling speeds and, despite the high compression ratio of 22-5 to I, its extreme flexibility at low speeds.
It was never considered likely by this journal that the 948 c.c. diesel would become available in the Mini-van, principally because the limitation in b.h.p. would probably make the performance of the vehicle unacceptable to drivers. Also at the Smithfield Show is the County forward-control 654 multipurpose tractor. This is basically a conversion of the Ford tractor to provide a full chassis and driven front wheels. The cab is mounted forward of the front wheels. A differential lock is fitted and when this is applied the vehicle becomes a fixed four-wheel drive which, it is claimed, makes it extremely difficult to bog down.
It is ideal for such haulage requirements as timber movement from cutting areas to the roadside and for the mounting of concrete mixers and agitators that must negotiate difficult site conditions.
Mr. P. Thornton, previously traffic manager, Harold Wood and Son Ltd., has been appointed assistant general manager of Ancliff (BLT) Ltd., a subsidiary of Bulwark United Transport Ltd.
Mr. John Cooper, who has been general manager of Leicester City transport department for the past 15 years, has been appointed to take charge of the transport services of Trinidad and Tobago. Mr. Cooper is chairman of the Association of Municipal Transport Managers and vice-chairman of the Federation of Municipal Passenger Transport Employees.
Sir Mark Turner, who was appointed a part-time director of the Transport Holding Company in November, 1962, for three years, has told the Minister of Transport that he does not wish to be considered for a further term of office in view of his other business commitments and his recent appointment as deputy chairman of Kleinwort Benson.
Mr. Ian L. Fowler has been appointed field quality engineer of the Leyland Motor Corporation. Mr. Fowler, a former senior field engineer, joined Leyland as an apprentice 12 years ago. He has started his new appointment by visiting operators in East, Central and South Africa and will spend a month in these areas. Mr. Fowler.
Mr. Peter Wills has been appointed London (north) sales manager of Avon Rubber Co. Ltd. He was formerly in the Avon export division, where he had been Caribbean field manager since 1963. Mr. E. A. Wright has been appointed Harrow branch manager of BRS Parcels Ltd. Currently branch manager at Chelsea, Mr. Wright will transfer to his new post next Monday (December 13). He will be succeeded at Chelsea by Mr. E. A. Lewis. New branch manager at Peterborough will be Mr. K. B. Sharp, formerly branch manager at Corby, who will be succeeded by Mr. R. C. Nelstrop, previously acting branch manager at Tufnell Park, London.
Mr. A. Smith has been appointed manager of the Stratford (London) heavy haulage branch of Pickfords Ltd., with Mr. G. Cavanagh assistant manager.
Mr. R. J. Ellery, a director of North Western Road Car Co. Ltd., has been elected chairman of the company in succession to the late Mr. T. R. Williams. Mr. J. H. Richardson has been appointed a director.
Sir Donald Stokes, managing director and deputy chairman of the Leyland Motor Corporation, has been elected president of the Motor Industry Research Association.
Mr. Brian G. Hollister, secretary of Hubert H. P. Trist and Co. Ltd., the Bristol manufacturers of Top-Dog brake and clutch linings, has been appointed to the board.
Mr. John A. Leeding, personal assistant to the general manager of Rubery Owen motor division, has been appointed supplies manager for the motor division at Darlaston.
Mr. D. P. G. Thomas has been appointed secretary/accountant of The Rhondda Transport Co. Ltd. in succession to Mr. L. B. Beynon who has become secretary/accountant of The South Wales Transport Co. Ltd. and of Thomas Bros. (Port Talbot) Ltd.
Initial Services Ltd., London, has appointed Mr. D. H. Dunham as area transport manager for the southern region of the company's transport maintenance division. He is based at Chandler's Ford, near Eastleigh. He has been area transport manager for Greater London and the eastern region. Mr. George J. Leaver, a director of Vauxhall Motors Ltd., will retire on December 31. Mr. Leaver, who is 64, joined the accounts department of General Motors Ltd. at Hendon in 1923 and became assistant comptroller in 1925. He was appointed assistant treasurer of Vauxhall in 1929 and treasurer in 1942. He has been a director since 1946 and assistant to the managing director since 1964.