MCW to make the American Superior in c.k.d. form only
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AMANUFACTURING and marketing agreement has been made between Metropolitan-Canunell-Weymann Ltd. and the Superior Coach Corporation, Lima, Ohio, for the manufacture of Superior bodies in this country. The new product will be known as the Metropolitan Superior and production is expected to begin later this year.
The Metropolitan Superior will be supplied in c.k.d. form only and will have two advantages over conventional bodies—it will fit any chassis and any wheelbase and delivery can be made within eight weeks of receipt of order.
Although production has not yet begun in this country, MCW will accept orders immediately for Superior bodies, for any chassis, and deliver in eight weeks. The Metropolitan Superior will be angled mainly at the export market.
Meanwhile, it is understood that MCW is well advanced in the design of a new integral city service bus for standee operation, employing popular mechanical units in the light/medium weight field.
The bodies will be of space-frame construction and the power-pack will be mounted longitudinally at the rear, and incorporate an automatic transmission. Layout of the bodies in standard form will be similar to London Transport's Red Arrows, although alternative seating layouts will be available.
The bus will feature a low floor in the front portion of the saloon, with a step adjacent to the rear of the central exit. A coach version of the body with higher floor and full-width luggage lockers beneath the floor will also be available.
The use of high-volume production mechanical components is expected to result in savings of up to £1,000 in the cost of a complete bus compared with similar one-man single-deckers. Furthermore the use of integral construction and lighter mechanical units has resulted in an unladen weight of 6 tons for a complete 36-ft. vehicle.
MCW may also be building 153 trolley
buses for Toronto. Negotiations are well advanced for the supply of Olympic X bodies fitted with reconditioned axles and running gear from existing trolleybuses.
The Toronto Transit Commission is one of several American and Canadian trolleybus operators who wish to continue using such vehicles because of the low cost of traction current and other operating advantages, but are unable to buy new trolleybuses in American or Canada.
MCW is reported to be quoting to other interested trolleybus operators in the States.