18 BRITISH
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BR1TAIN will again be strongly represented by 18 makes in the commercial-vehicle section of the 34th Brussels Show, which opens to-morrow. Numerically. British makes will once more be greater than those of any other country, and foreign buyers will have the opportunity of inspecting 65-70 different chassis, ranging from light vans to heavy-duty four-and sixwheelers, all of which originate from this country
Although there will be three fewer American makes than last year the number of German shown will be more than doubled, there being 13 makes of chassis each from America, France and Germany Competition for the Continental market is fierce, and vehicles are sold not only on merit and price, but on the availability of spares and technical service information.
Geographically, British manufacturers are at a disadvantage, when compared with the Continentals, in the supply of spares, unless large quantities of expendable items, components and units are held by the distributor. in general, the scales aye loaded in favour of the Germans and French. whose supply lines. for spares are comparatively short. More over, the metric standards afford more scope for interchangeability, and maintenance manuals are available in the Continental languages.
British vehicles are sold on the Continent against this competition, and sometimes at a higher price than the French, American -or German products. This suggests that the sales are made on the meri: and reliability of British vehicles.
It is costly to British manufacturers to take part in overseas shows, such as Brussels, because although distributors are responsible for the sales, they often expect the manufacturer to bear the full cost of exhibiting the vehicles. This has caused some British manufacturers to withdraw, but others, such as Albion and Trojan, have stepped in to fill the breach. A:E.C. and Maudslay vehicles, as products of the A.C.V. group, have already gained a reputation with overseas operators which will defy almost unlimited foreign competition. The passenger chassis especially are popular. and details of the A.E.C. load-carriers built to the regulation width for Continental class-B roads have already appeared in "The Commercial Motor."
Ets. G. Spitals, Rue Tweemory. 165167, Deurne, Anvers, the Belgian distributor of A.C.V. vehicles, is to exhibit two A.E.C. and three Maudslay chassis and has arronged for an A.E.C. Regal Mark III with a 57-seater body to be shown on the Jonckheere stand, and a second chassis of a Similar type, but with a 17-ft. wheelbase and a 40-seater luxury coach body, to be displayed by Van Hool.
The A.E.C. Regal Mark IV„ the underfloor-cngined model with built-in lifting tackle for engine removal% and having an air-operated preselective gearbox and air-pressure braking will make
its first appearance at Brussels on the Spital stand, together with a Matador tractor chassis powered by the 11.3-litre 150 b.p.b. direct-Injection oil engine.
Two Maudslay Marathon Mark HI passenger chassis will be displayed one of which will be equipped with a Ionckheere 50-seater body. The remaining Maudslay model exhibited by Spital will be the Mustang sixwheeler with twin steering axles and powered by the A.E.C. 9.6-litre 125 b.h.p. oil engine.
Three Albion chassis and power and transmission units will be exhibited by the Benelux concessionnaires, Albatros Automobie Mil. N.V. Pieter Baststraat,
21-27, Amsterdam. The latest heavyduty model, the Albion HD. 53 fourwheeler, will be among the foremost examples of British quality workmanship at the Show. It has air-pressureoperated brakes, easy-change five-speed gearbox and a 9.9-litre direct-injection oil engine developing 120 b.h.p. at 1,700 r.p.m. This model is tyred for a gross load of 12 tons (12,200 kilos.) or for operation with a trailer with a gross combination weight of 22 tons (22,300 kilos.).
Another example of the Albion goods range will be the Chieftain chassis. which is rated to carry a normal gross load of 61 tons, and is powered by the four-cylindered 75 b.h.p. oil engine. This unit put up a remarkably economical performance in "The Commercial Motor" tests of the Clydesdale load carrier and tractor.
The Chieftain model, which with others of the Albion range makes its first appearance at Brussels, is equipped with left-hand control and incorporates Countryman bodies, whilst the 25-cwt. will have the Three-way body.
Largest in the Austin range to be shown is the Loadstar long-wheelbase 5-tonner. with a drop-sided body, whilst a second Loadstar 5-tonner, a shortwheelbase model, will be seen with a cab. The all-steel cab accommodates a crew of three and has an adjustable driving seat, rear corner windows and provision for radio equipment. sound and heat insulation and built-in heater units and controlled ventilation. In addition to goods-carrying chassis, the Austin commercial exhibits will include a 15-ft.-wheelbase coach chassis and A125 a mbularre.
Bedford to the Fore
A representative selection of Bedford vehicles will appear on the stands occupied by General Motors, Ltd., Rue Auguste Michiels, Anvers, which will show also models of American design. The British products will include the 10cwt. van. 5-tonners and the new 7-tonner which weighs under 3 Ions complete with body.
The 7-tonner was one of the outstanding new models introduced at the Commercial Motor Show in London. last September. It has a six-cylindered petrol engine of 4.92-litre capacity delivering 110 b.h.p. at 3,200 r.p.m. The four-speed gearbox provides for synchromesh engagement. Hypoid gears are incorporated in the rear axle and c8 a hydro-mechanical braking system is installed.
A big saving in weight has been effected by designing the chassis frame to dispense with the need for body runners. In planning the cab, great attention has been paid to comfort, and a cooling and ventilation system is provided.
The Rootes group has been successful in securing three stands on an island site for the display of eight Commer vehicles and a Karrier Bantam 2-tonner. These models, to be shown by Rootes (Belgique) S.A.. Rue Ravenstein, 60. Shell Building, Brussels, all have lefthand control, the Bantam chassis being the first of its type to be so equipped.
Three Superpoise Models
The Commer Superpoise normalcontrol range is represented by a 25-cwt. van, 3-4-ton long-wheelbase chassis -with cab, and a 5-ton tipper with an Eaton two-speed axle A four-cylindered 50 b.h.p. side-valve petrol engine which is fitted in the 25-cwt. outfit, now has chromium-finished cylinder bores.
A feature of the Superpoise range is the method of carrying the radiator, wings, bonnet, scuttle and cab on a diamond-shaped sub-frame which pivots freely on its longitudinal axis, relieving the superstructure from distortion when travelling over uneven surfaces. The 3-4-tonner and 5-ton tipper are powered by an 80 b.h.p. side-valve petrol engine. An all-metal body, with drop sides and top-hinged tailboard, has been fitted to the 5-ton tipper.
The 50 b.h.p. engine used in the Superpoise 25-cwt. vehicle is also employed in the medium-duty pick-up, which has an all-steel body. There are no wheel-arches within the body, and its sides are flared out and form a tubular section along the top to give added strength. This model has a payload capacity of approximately 1 ton.
Two light delivery vans and two 7tonners, shortand long-wheelbase models, complete the Commer array of vehicles. These larger chassis are powered by the six-cylitidered overheadvalve engine, developing 109 b.h.p., which is carried almost horizontally in the chassis below the cab.
Under Three Names
British-built Dodge vehicles assembled for overseas may carry the nameplate of Dodge, Fargo or De Soto. There wilt be four of these vehicles shown by Chrysler S.A., Brussels, whilst a 5-ton short-wheelbase tipper and other models of the ' British Dodge range will be exhibited by Etab. Brooded S.A., Rue Joseph, Brussels. The Chrysler display includes two 5-tonners with Perkins P6 oil engines fitted, carrying the name tabs of Dodge and De Soto, and a Fargo 5-ton petrol-engined chassis. A De Soto 6-Winner will complete the British complement of Dodge models.
Fordson machines from 5-cwt. to 5ion capacity, made in this country, will be staged by the Ford Motor Co. (Belgium), S.A., Boite Postal 37, Antwerp. A 10-cwt. van and the Thames 2-tonner, with semi-forward control, will figure among the exhibits. Both the Fordson Thames oil-engined Stormer and a 4-tonner to be shown have a wheelbase of 13 ft. 1 in.
Two passenger chassis and four complete vehicles will figure in the display arranged by Guy Motors, Ltd., through the Belgian agent, Willems
Motors, Ltd., Rue de l'Union, 29, Eendrachtstraat, Antwerp. Both the orthodox Arab chassis and the underfloor-engi ned model, with left-hand control, will be on view, whilst a third Arab chassis will have a locally built single-deck bus body. Another Guy passenger exhibit will be the Otter oilengined vehicle equipped with a Belgian
built coach body. Among the goods exhibits will be an Otter tanker with the Gardner 4LK oil engine. The Benelux distributor of Guy vehicles is Die Nederlandsche Motoren N.V., of Holland.
Leyland Motors, Ltd., has planned to display the Royal Tiger and Olympic models with the under floor engine, and a Comet passenger chassis fitted with an Eaton two-speed rear axle. The Royal Tiger bus is one of 10 ordered by the Belgian State Railways and, as well as having left-hand control, it is specially equipped with Michelin D20 tyres.
The third Leyland exhibit to be shown on the stand of the Belgian agent, 13rossel Freres, Avenue de la Pede, 14. Brussels, is a Comet 17-ft. 6-in, wheelbase model of 7-ft. 6-in, overall width. Whereas the Royal Tiger and Olympic employ a 9.8-litre 125 b.h.p. oil engine, the Comet is fitted with the 5-litre oil engine which develops 75 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m.
Nuffield Products Four stands have been taken by Ets. P. Decrose, Rue du Sceptre 96, Brussels, to display Morris-Commercials and Morris vans. The new bonneted 5tonners, with ventilated cabs and overhead-valve petrol engine, will figure prominently among the models, shown, and the oil-enginecl version will be displayed, together with a passenger chassis carrying a Belgian 31-seater body. Examples of the 2.5-30-cwt. range will include a chassis, standard lorry and a van with a locally built body. The J4ype forward-control 10-cwt van and a Utilabus conversion on the same type of chassis are to appeal. The Morris exhibits include a Cowley van. pickup and a 5-cwt. van.
Two special 6-ton semi-trailers and a Scarab three-wheeled tractor have been sent by Scammell Lorries, Ltd., to thr Belgian distributor, Messrs. Fabricon Boulevard du Regent, 13, Brussels, fo inclusion in the Show. The Scarab am semi-trailers have been specialt. equipped with a braking system whici complies with the Belgian regulation! and the prime mover has been modific to give smoother riding. Progressiv two-rate springs have been fitted to th driving axle and the front-wheel move ment increased to approximately doubl the former limit.
In the revised braking system th semi-trailer brakes are held off again' spring pressure by a vacuum arrangr ment, so that immediately the priir
mover is disconnected the vacuum is destroyed and the brakes are applied. Of the two semi-trailers to be shown, one is a 22-ft. drop-frame model with a 15-ft. well floor, which is 2 ft. 6 ins. above ground level when laden. The other unit has a 15-ft. flat platform of 3 ft. 10 ins. laden height.
Etab. Hock, of Rue Gaucheret 30, Brussels, will be responsible for the display of four Seddon chassis—a tractor, a long-wheelbase 5-tonner and a bus, all employing the Perkins P6 oil engine, and the latest addition to the range, the 3-loaner, in which the Perkins four-cylindered unit is installed. The 3-tonner is the British answer to German competition and will arouse great interest at the Show. The tractor has Scammell coupling gear and an Eaton two-speed axle.
For Fast Deliveries
A British light van which has gained popularity on the Continent because of its smart appearance and performance is the Standard 12-cwt. delivery model, which is distributed in Belgium through lmperia S.A., Nessonvaux-Lez-Liege. This model, also to be shown with estate-car and pick-up bodies, has a four-cylindered 2.1-litre petrol engine of high performance and a three-speed gearbox with steering-column gear control.
Trojan, Ltd., is attacking the Continental market by showing a 15-cwt. chassis through the Belgian agent, Automobiles Augustu Mahut, Chaussee D'Anvers 395, Brussels. This model incorporates the four-cylindered twostroke engine, which has paired power cylinders and two charging cylinders which deliver the petrol-air mixture for combustion. The Trojan " 65 " engine delivers 24 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m. and 70 lb/ft. torque at 1,000 r.p.m.
Vulcan Exhibits
Three Vulcan goods and passenger chassis have been dispatched to Brussels for the Exhibition, and additional models will be shown by the distributor, Le Grand Garage due Luxembourg, Rue de Parnesse. Brussels. Included in the Vulcan exhibits is the new 7tonner, powered by a Gardner 4LW oil engine, and employing a hypoid drive to the rear axle. Perkins P6 oil engines are fitted to the 9-ft. 9-in, wheelbase tipper and Vulcan light passenger chassis, which has a wheelbase of 15 ft. 3 ins., and will be shown equipped with an Eaton two-speed axle and dropped rear extension to the frame.
Next week the latest developments in Continental vehicles and the general trend of design, as revealed by the Brussels Show, will be reviewed.
The details given in the accompanying table relate to a number of vehicles which have been road tested by "The Commercial Motor" and of which examples will be staged at the Brussels Show. In comparing the performance of machines of similar type it should be borne in mind that vehicles are not necessarily taken over the same course, or that the conditions obtaining during different road tests are identical. All such features are, however, fully detailed in the test reports published at the time.
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