O.H.V. Engines in New Small Commers

11th November 1955, Page 124

11th November 1955

Page 124

Page 125

Page 124, 11th November 1955 — O.H.V. Engines in New Small Commers

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New Range of Commer Superpoise 15-cwt. and 25-cwt. Chassis Introduced: 21-litre o.h.v. Petrol Engine Provides the Power and New Cab Improves Appearance

COINCIDING with the opening of the Scottish Motor Exhibition today there comes the annduncernent from Comrner Cars, Ltd., Luton, of a new range of Superpoise four

cylinder chassis. These are available in two payload capacities, 15 cwt. and 25 cwt., and the new engine, which is an overhead-valve unit of 2.266-litre capacity, is fitted to all the new models, as well as to the existing 25-cwt. forward-control van and the Karrier Bantam 2-ton chassis.

Besides incorporating a new engine, these latest Superpoise vehicles have undergone other design changes, not the least of these being the provision of a new cab and front end. The cab is similar to that fitted to the Commer Superpoise 2-5-ton range and is used in conjunction with an integral underframe. This underframe also carries the bonnet and front wings, and the complete assembly is mounted at six points on the chassis frame, The engine has a bore of SI mm. and a stroke of 110 mm, and, as installed in the Commer chassis, the gross power rating is 56 b.h.p. at 3,400 r.p.m. In the Bantam it is governed to 3,000 r.p.m., giving a grass rating of 53.5 b.h.p. The net ratings in each case are 15 b.h.p. lower, and the maximum torque output is standard at 104 111.-ft. at 1,600 r.p.m.

Although basically a standard Rootes Group engine, the Commer unit has a redesigned cylinder head. This gives a compression ratio of 6.25 to 1—making the engine suitable for regular-grade fuels. The head has separate. inlet ports to each cylinder and the inlet valves have a head diameter of 1.632 in.

F10 A thermostatically controlled hotspot is incorporated in the inlet manifold to shorten the warming-up period and reduce bore wear. Porouschromium cylinder bores are standard.

A pot-type bell-housing is fitted, enabling the clutch to be removed without disturbing the bell-housing. The clutch is of 9-in, diameter and the fourspeed synchromesh gearbox is carried as a unit with the engine. Three-point mounting is employed for this assembly..

Telescopic dampers are fitted to both axles of all the models and the Girling two-leading-shoe hydraulic brakes have a total frictional area of 198.5 sq. in. The Commer worm-and-sector steering gear has a ratio of 16.5 to 1, giving ‘g turns of the 18-in.-diameter steering wheel from lock to lock.

Three of the new Superpoise fourcylinder models are specified with a 9-ft, 4-in. wheelbase, They are a 15-cwt van, 15-cwt. pick-up and 25-cwt._ van, all being available also. as chassis only or as chassis and cabs.

A fourth chassis is offered only as a 25-cwt. model with a 10-ft. 4-in. wheelbase. This is sold as a chassi's with scuffle, or as a chassis and eab.

Van bodies of similar capacities are need to the 15-cwt. and the 25-cwt. chassis, the two models differing only in respect of springs and tyres. The bodies are of 185-cu.-ft. capacity and their dimensions are: Length, 7 ft. 6 in.; maximum width, 5 ft. 4 in.; maximum height, 4 ft. 8+ in, They have hardwood framework and steel panels, and

are supported by four channel-section bearers bolted to the chassis frame.

The pick-up body fitted to the 15-cwt. chassis is of all-steel construction with a timber floor. 'This body has narrow wheel-arches inside the body, the main rear wings being external. The spare wheel is carried on the off side, forward of the rear wing.

• A heavy p.v.c.-coated leathercloth tilt is available as an optional extra. It is' supported by three hoopsticks and hardwood longitudinal battens.

Representative prices of the new range are as follows: 15-cwt. chassis, £485; 15-cwt. van, £686 and 15-cwt. pick-up, £620, plus £114 8s. 6d. purchase tax in each case. The 25-cwt. van sells for £695, plus £116 2s. I Id. tax, and the 10-ft. 4-in.-wheelbase 25-cwt. chassis and cab is retailed at £577 (£117 7s. lid, tax).