Unusual Features in New Luxury Coach Body
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QOVIE striking features distinguish the Try phon 35-seat coach body, the prototype of which has been acquired by Sharp's Motor Services (Manchester). Ltd. The design has been produced by Halton Products (Lancs.), Ltd., Chequerbent, near Bolton, and the body has been built on a used Leyland PSI chassis.
The overall dimensions of the vehicle are 29 ft. 6in. by 7 ft. 101 in. The entrance, which is amidships, has a 2-ft. 10-in. door (bottom measurement) on a pivot mounting. By this means, entry or exit is made particularly easy, whilst there is the minimum of obstruction to the footpath when the door is open. When closed, it fits flush to the body side. A tell-tale light in the driver's view is illuminated while the door is open.
The toughened glass side windows are 5 ft. 9 in. and 6 ft. long and, combined with the use of four inclined main pillars, give extremely good vision. There are sliding quarters at the top. To minimize reflection at night, as well as to eliminate blind spots and sun glare for the driver, a full-width curved windscreen, which slopes forward, is employed.
Curved transparent plastics corner panels further improve the outlook. Above are twin amber Perspex head panels. At the rear there is a single central Perspex dome 5 ft. wide.
The bonnet has been soundproofed. The body is wired for radio.
Double seats 36 in. wide. with one-piece head rolls, are fitted and there is a 151-in. gangway. Lighting is by means of two lines of continuous lamps under the roof, with two similar lines beneath the substantial luggage racks. For beating a continuous full-circuit tubular system is fitted at floor level. The interior trim is cherry-red polka-dot moquette and dark dove-grey hide. There are three three-way roof vents in amber plastics.
The front panel is designed to facilitate the complete withdrawal of the engine. Winking direction indicators and stop lights are combined in a unit at the rear, forming an extension of the wing. A deep full-width boot is provided to accommodate luggage.
The body is of composite construction, the cross-bearers being flitch-plated and reinforced. The main pillars incorporate double steel tees and all pillars coincide with the cross-bearers and roof sticks.
Visibility Excels
AVAN body of composite construction, recently completed by Dayson and Co, (Coachbuilders), Ltd., Watt Street, Smethwiek. 40, is based on an Albion Claymore MR.7 underfloor-engined chassis with a 10-ft. wheelbase, and the total .unladen weight of the vehicle is under 3 tons. The body. capacity is 650 Cu. ft.
The van is employed by J. A. Crabtree and Co., Ltd., Walsall, for the delivery of small electrical parts in packing cases.
Notable features include a toughened-glass windscreen with rounded Perspex corners and accommodation for three in the unobstructed cab. Roller shutters are fitted at the rear and on the near side behind the cab.
The bodywork is fra,rned in ash and panelled in light alloy. All the exterior body mouldings, the windscreen surrounds and the front fender assembly are of polished aluminium, whilst the windscreen dividing pieces arc of polished stainless steel.