New Austin Van Has
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I.F.S. and O.H.V.
DESIGNED to supersede eventually the present 8 h.p. and 10 h.p. types, a new Austin 10-cwt. van, the A.40, is soon to be offered, learns a representative of "The Commercial Motor."
Based on the latest 1,200 c.c. fourcylindered o.h.v. car chassis, the new van has a dignified and graceful appearance, well in keeping with the modern trend.
The pleasingly contoured body has concealed door hinges and built-in concealed running-boards, whilst the rear wheels are covered by detachable panels and the spare wheel is enclosed. The bonnet lock, incidentally, is controlled from inside the cab.
Developing 40 at 4,300 r.p.m., the engine has a maximum torque of 59 lb.-ft. at 3,000 r.p.m. Its compression ratio is 7.2 to I. Thin-wall detachable bearings are used on the crankshaft and connecting rods, and the pistons are of the split-skirt type in aluminium, with anodized finish.
Non-loss Radiation Patent cams permit quiet operation and camshaft drive is by duplex roller chain, with synthetic rubber tensionerring.
Engine cooling is by centrifugal pump and thermostat, and a patent radiator prevents loss of cooling water through expansion.
Fuel from a rear tank of 81 gallons is fed by an A.C. pump to a Zenith downdraught carburetter with air cleaner. The aluminium-alloy induction manifold incorporates a stainless-steel hot spot.
The engine has flexible • inclined " live " rubber mountings, front and rear, with integral torque-reaction stops.
Transmission is by a Borg and Beck dry single-plate clutch, with a spring cushion drive. Clutch diameter is 7f ins. The gearbox has four forward speeds and reverse. The gear lever is centrally mounted and there is synchromesh engagement for second, third, and top gears. Its oil capacity is 21 pits. The spiral-bevel rear axle is of threequarter floating pattern, in banjo-type casing. The pinion is carried by preloaded taper-roller bearings. Oil capacity is 21 pints. Overall gear ratios are 6.14, 9.4, 14.95, and 24.70 to 1, with 31.7 reverse. Road speeds at 1,000 r.p.m. are: Top gear, 12.94 m.p.h.; third, 8.46 m.p.h.; second, 5.31 m.p.h.; first, 3.22 m.p.h.
Having a ratio of 14 to I and provision for taking up wear, special camgear steering is provided.
Front chassis suspension is by independent coil springs. Wishbones are mounted on rubber bushes with shoulders to take thrust loads. Control is by double-acting hydraulic shock absorbers.
This springing, a novelty on the smaller type of Austin, follows lines similar to those of the front suspension on the six-cylinder models of Austin car; the Wishbones are of unequal length and the geometry is arranged to give minimum track change, consistent with minimum alteration of wheel camber.
The Armstrong double-acting hydrau
lie shock absorbers are incorporated in the upper wishbones and the rubber bushes are employed both for the outer extremity of the upper wishbones and for the inner bearings of the lower wishbones. This arrangement, in addition to reducing lubrication needs, assists in insulating the frame from minor road shocks.
At the rear, reverse-camber semielliptic springs with zinc interleaving and extended rubber bushes for the shackles are employed.
Front-wheel braking is by the Girling hydraulic system, two-leading shoes being fitted. Girling mechanical brakes take effect on the rear wheels. The hand brake is of the pistol-grip type.
Pressed-steel disc wheels having ventilation slots and large chromium wheel caps arc fitted, the spar; being carried at the rear below the floor. Tyre size is 5.00 ins. by 17 ins. A Stevenson jack, operated by a wheelbrace from inside the van, lifts either the near or off side.
Box Frame Members The frame itself is of welded pressed steel with full-length, box-section side members and box-section front and rear cross-members. The centre part is stiffened by cross-bracing, which ensures great torsional and diagonal stiffness.
As to electrical equipment, there is a 12-volt battery of 51 amp.-hour capacity at the 10-hour rate, with positive earthing and built-in combined head and side lamps. The near-side head lamp has a double filament for dipping, and there is h foot-controlled dip-switch.
Cab and body sides are of metal construction, with steel floor framing. Floorboards are of hardwood, tongued and grooved, and the roof is fabric. Wide rear doors are fitted, with restricted opening to prevent projection beyond the width of the van.
The single bucket seat is covered in leathercloth. Toughened glass is fitted in the windscreen and Windows.
Body capacity is 116 cubic ft., equivalent to 3.29 cubic m. Other dimensioni are as follows—Length of body floor, 6 ff.; body interior height, 3 ft. 7 ins.; overall height (laden), 6 ft.; body floor to ground (laden), 2 ft. 31 ins.; wheelbase, 7 ft. 81 ins.; overall length, 13 ft. 11 ins.; overall width, 5 ft. 2 ins.; track, front, 4 ft. 11 ins.; track, rear, 4 ft. 21 ins.; turning circle, 38 ft., ground clearance, 61 ins.; Width•of rear door opening, 4 ft. 2 ins