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A LUXURY COACH FOR LONG TOURS.

11th August 1925, Page 19
11th August 1925
Page 19
Page 20
Page 19, 11th August 1925 — A LUXURY COACH FOR LONG TOURS.
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A Handsome Saloon Vehicle, Embodying Many Features of Refinement, Built Expressly for Extended Touring.

MITE motor coach has won its way into general favour 'J. by reason of its ability to provide the masses with a ready and convenient means of participating in comparatively short trips for a modest outlay, but it has also gained considerable popularity for long-distance touring, although, naturally, to a much lesser extent. Generally speaking, the one type of vehicle does not meet the requirements of the two distinct forms of service.

In one ease the coach owner has to carry the largest number of passengers possible—very often at a figure below reasonable limits—for he is dependent on a per seat return for his profits, and only by dealing with full loads can he operate his vehicles remuneratively. This class of custom is mainly of the excursionist–variety, but, of course, it constitutes the greater bulk of motor coach traffic.

In the other case the coach owner has, first, to consider the question of passengers' convenience; and this requirement can only be met by the employment of well appointed vehicles, in the design and construction of which the subject of comfort has stood in the forefront. The longer and more select the tour the more important does this factor become, end, unless it receives proper attention, a road journey of, say, 10 days' or longer duration can prove extremely wearisome and tiring. Not so, however, we should think if such a vehicle as that which has been recently built to the order of Continental Istotorways, Ltd., 98, Wigmore Street, London, W.1, be used, for this special coach has been expressly constructed to enable passengers to undertake extended tours in the utmost comfort and ease. We propose to describe the main features of this special Pullman saloon, but some idea of its imposing lines and of the sumptuously equipped interior can be gained from the accompanying illustrations.

The basis of the vehicle is a 2i-ton Dennis chassis, equipped with pneumatic tyres, twins being used on the rear wheels. This model has a 40 h.p. engine, and in this par

tieular coach the gear ratios have been so planned that high 'speeds can be attained with perfect safety. The Construction of the body, which seats 14 people, stands to the credit of Messrs. Strachan and Brown, of Wales Farm Road, London, W.3, who have had much experience in building high-class bodies of this kind. It is of most pleasing design, and in some respects can be said to embody details only to be found on castly private cars.

The arrangement of the seats is, as one of our interior pictures shows more or less conventional, but their roominess and the ireedom from restriction which they give will be specially noted. On one side the seats are each built to accommodate two persons, but on the other side single seats are arranged, a wide gangway separating them. They are of the armchair pattern, built up op. deep, spring cases, with deep back rests and arm supports, and are ppholstered with special Bedford cord.

In front of each seat, and carried by the framework of the seat in front, a small, glass-topped mahogany table is fitted. This table is carried on suitable hinged brackets, which enable it to be raised or lowered at will, and it in no way interferes with the comfort of the passenger when not in use. The reason for fitting glass tops to the tables is to allow a route map of the tour upon which the vehicle is engaged to be fitted below them, thus enabling the itinerary to -be followed—a thoughtful idea and one which stimulatds greater interest in the places passed en route.

Several little ideas of this kind, which indicate more than a passing consideration for the individual passenger, have been incorporated in the equipment. The provision of small, square footstools to prevent draughts passing along the floor from being felt is a case in point.

The passenger compartment has a fixed roof, constructed of solid mahogany, which only extends to the rear of the driver's seat, although this part of the body is protected in bad weather by a roll-up curtain, which can be drawn down to the windscreen from the partition behind the driver. Access is gained to the Interior through a half-door at the front and thence through a sliding door in the division sapsring seating and driving compartments. There are four frameless windows at each side, which can be adjusted as

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regards height and fixed in any position ; pull-down blitids are fitted above these lights.

The few details we have given will serve to indicate the nature of the interior appointments, but we might add that the atmosphere of refinement and luxury is enhanced by the inlaid panelling, the oxydized fittings used throughout, and the heavy-pile carpet on the floor.

At the rear of the passenger saloon is a lavatory compartment, partitioned off by a hinged door. Here there is a hand wash-basin, to which water is led from a tank fitted below the roof ; the waste pipe passes through the floor. To the left of the stand for the basin is a small cabinet for . clean and soiled towels.

In order that light teas can be served on board provision is madc for carrying the required crockery in a special cabinet with racks, which prevent the possibility of breakage'', this cabinet has sliding doors. The folding shelves and racks are. so disposed that they occupy very little space. A supply of hot water is made available by a small geyser and gas-ring installation, the fuel for which is obtained from a cylinder of compressed gas. There i8. a wide door in this rear compartment, which is shaped to the contour of the body, and it can be used as an emergency exit in ease of need, suitable folding steps being provided for this purpose.

On the various tours run by Continental Motorways, Ltd., each passenger is permitted to carry a reasonable amount of luggage, and the cOmpany make special arrangement for its storage by issuing a'standard size of suit case for the use of all passengers. These are earned on angle-iron frames in lockers at the sides below the.floor level.

The general appearance of the coach is certainly most pleasing to the eye—an impression created by its well balanced an d symmetrical lines..

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Locations: London

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