Dennis Standardizes a Body for the Lancet Chassis
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BbY reason of the progress that
the Lancet passenger chassis is making it is interesting to learn that the maker, Dennis Brothers, Ltd., has decided to standardize a single-deck body, built in its own shops at Guildford, for this forward-control model. The body is primarily intended to seat 32 passengers, all of whom, with a single exception, face to the front, but with a slight modification in the layout 35 passengers can be comfortably accommodated.
The interior is reached by a sliding door at the rear on the near side, whilst an emergency exit is arranged at the front on the off side. A feature of the design is the cut-away roof, which, on the near side, does not extend beyond the front bulkhead_ of the passenger saloon. Not only does this arrangement add to the streamlining effect and reduce weight, but it enables more natural light to reach the interior. Furthermore, when an engine overhaul is carried out, the removal of the unit by means of an overhead hoist can be easily effected ; in this connection it will be recalled that the power unit of the Lancet is offset to the near side of the frame.
A blue-tinted glass vizor offers protection against the effects of strong sunlight, to the near-side front passengers, a similar fitting being provided for the driver's cab, which contains a Pyrene fire-extinguisher, a first-aid box and a sliding window panel at each side.
The appearance of the front of the body is governed by the angles of the driver's windscreen and the front bulkhead, the former being inclined at an angle of 25 degrees and the latter at 20 degrees.
The main framework is of ash, the pillars and cross-bearers being connected by T-shaped swage plates, which are inserted into the body of the wood members. At the heads of the side pillars steel ribs form alternate transverse roof-sticks, the intermediate members being reinforced with steel brackets. The pillars are turned in at the top to the extent of n ins, and at the foot to the extent of 51 ins.
The exterior panelling is carried well down at the sides and back, there being a locker door giving access to the spare wheel at the rear. Hygienic, washable fabric is used for lining the interior.
There are two half-drop windows of the Quicktho pattern on the near side and three of a similar kind on the off side, glass louvres extending the full length of the body sides.
So far as the seating layout is concerned, five passengers are accommodated on the seat extending across the rear of the body, whilst one person sits on a transverse seat just forward of the
entrance door, but the remaining seats are of the usual double pattern with sprung backs, being upholsteredin moquette, which is secured by a stainless steel beading. One seat at each side is located over the wheel-arch, which somewhat raises its height, but sloping footboards are accordingly provided for the passengers who occupy them, so that their comfort is in no way impaired.
Amongst the standard fittings of the body can be mentioned two Ashanco ventilators with electric-light fittings, a parcels rack along each side, numerous rotatable ashtrays and an eight-day clock in the bulkhead behind the driver's compartment.
The price of this body, which weighs 35 ewt., is f400, so that the complete machine ready for the road is priced at 1,000 guineas.