Quantity Production of Plastics Bodies and Cabs
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NAOBILE shops employing-an extensive IVI use of glass-reinforced plastics are being manufactured in large numbers by Longwell Green Coachworks Ltd., of Bristol, which claims to have been amongst the pioneers in this form of construction.
The shops are based on Karrier and Morris 2-ton chassis, or similar, and have a basic framing of light-alloy, almost all the remaining structure being of reinforced plastics. The exterior panels arc colour impregnated to suit the customer, whilst the interior lining panels are colour impregnated white.
An essential feature of the shops is the display of confectionery, bread and similar goods with easy access via a wide entrance door at the rear. Immediately opposite the entrance is a storage compartment and the remainder of the offside is devoted to a sales counter with goods displayed on shelves above and below the counter, all of which are Formica covered. On the nearside is an attractive display window which is illuminated, and above the window are storage shelves. A small counter for a cash register and a till drawer are also supplied. Equipment also includes a washbasin and water tank, and there is direct access to the cab.
Longwell Green is also producing vans built in sections, with the framing bonded into the plastics panels. A recent con
tract has been 71 700-cu.-ft. vans for British Road Services, based on Austin VA chassis. Timber framing, alloy panels and glass-reinforced plastics roofs were features of this contract, the peculiar " snout " over the B.M.C. engine also being manufactured, in plastics, by Longwell Green.
In another section of the works cabs for Bristol Commercial Vehicles tractive units are manufactured, these again being entirely of glass-reinforced plastics. Longwell Green mounts these cabs on to the Bristol chassis, and then undertakes the electrical wiring. More than 1,000 cabs have been manufactured in this material, together with many other items.