Striking New Austin Light Models
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r0 interesting and useful types of ciommercial vehicle have been developed by the .Austin Motor Co., Ltd., using the successful A.40 chassis. These are announced to-day and will be seen at the Commercial Motor Show.
That illustrated is called the "PickUp." It has an all-steel cab, with truck body to carry 10 cwt., and having a t. and g. wood floor. The tailboard, sides and front end are of aluminium alloy with steel and wood, framing, whilst anchor chains can hold the tailboard horizontal. This forms a neat, easily cleaned, fast transport unit which should have many uses. The price in grey primer is £335 or £10 extra in standard colour.
The other model is the " Countryman " brake for farm and estate transport. It will carry six persons with luggage, or two plus 10 cwt. of goods. There are large windows at the sides and back. The rear is divided into an upper panel which can be lifted and held flat, and a tailboard with chains.
There are individual front seats, and the single-piece rear seat, with occasional corner seats, will hold six, but the rear seat can fold flush with the floor. Additional features are a separate wheel compartment. roof ventilator, and provision for heating and windscreen demisting. This handsome model should make a strong appeal to country dwellers and rural tradesmen. It is priced at £415 plus £116 Os. 7d. purchase tax.
The chassis of each has a fourcylindered o.h.v. engine developing 40 b.h.p. at 4,300 r.p.m., independent front suspension, Girling brakes with hydraulic operation at the front and mechanical at the rear, those at the front being of the two-leading-shoe type. The clutch is a Borg and Beck flexible, dry single-plate with spring cushion, and the gearbox provides four speeds forward and a reverse.
Transmission is by open propeller shaft with Hardy Spicer universal joints having needle-roller bearings. Final drive is by spiral bevels, and the shafts are three-quarters floating.
In announcing these models, Mr. L. P. Lord mentioned that last week the company dispatched 509 commercial vehicles, of which 316 or 62 per cent, were for export. He also mentioned that the company had bought a large plant at Hamilton, Ontario.
This is being completely equipped with conveyors, and the gas-fired paint plant will be unique. All the plant will be new, and almost 100 per cent. shipped from this country. Production will be built up for next spring, Mr. Lord said.