ANOTHER ADVOCATE OF FOURYEARLY SHOWS
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I SEE that suggestions have been made that commercial I vehicle exhibitions should be held at intervals of at least four years, partly on account of the high cost of exhibiting. I would point out that an equally material factor is that it takes that length of time before a manufacturer can discover the virtues and vices of his production when in the hands of his customers,.
Speaking as an operator of over 40 years' standing, these exhibitions in the past, owing to their frequency, have been somewhat of a mixed blessing. Manufacturers have felt it necessary to make at any rate slight alterations in their models in order to appear to be producing something better than they did at the previous Show. At the same time, they have continued to manufacture models which, in themselves, contained major defects which could not be fully disclosed by the end of two years. This has resulted in the operator having to carry an increased maintenance stock.
I suggest that it would be beneficial all round if these exhibitions were held at longer intervals, if only to allow for the manufacturers and their customers obtaining greater experience on the result of their previous
designs. C. LE M. GOSSELIN, Managing Director
Preston (For H. Viney and Co., Ltd.) WAS IT A COACH OR A BUS?
WITH reference to my letter concerning the use of " the term "coach," which was reproduced in your issue dated July 9, 1948, may I reopen the controversy by drawing attention to an item which was published in your issue dated October 22, 1948?
Under the heading "Frontal Attack" appeared an illustration of a public service passenger vehicle with your explanatory caption: "Chromium mouldings figure largely in the treatment of this DaimlerWillowbrook coach." However, in the illustration itself the following appeared on the roof of the vehicle: "Willowbrook all-metal service bus."
With this friendly rap on the knuckles may I wonderingly inquire whether there is a difference in nomenclature overseas as well as among makers, Press
and public at home? D. J SMITH. Bridgwater [Our Assistant Editor, Mr. A. E. Sherlock-Mesher, accepts the soft impeachment regarding the Willowbrook "bus." He suggests, however, that the vehicle could also be employed as a coach. Our view is that the main difference between a bus and a coach is in the arrangement and finish of the seating, but we admit that sometimes the difference is very slight. So far, however, we have not had any better term brought forward, and some of our readers believe that it is unnecessary to go any farther into the matter as types of "coach " are explained by some prefix.—Eml
PRAISE AND AN OFFER FROM AUSTRALIA WHILE devouring my monthly deliveries of "The " Commercial Motor" (a trifle out of date), I struck an article in the issue dated August 6 entitled " Did You Drive a Model T Ford?" As I was raised on these jalopies, way back in the early 'twenties, I naturally read this article with great enjoyment, having had all the experiences mentioned, and a lot more besides.
I landed in Bowen, North Queensland, in April thit year. The first thing I saw made me rub my eyes. Yes, it was a real model T, complete with the old trembler coils. Since then I have seen and heard many scores of them proceeding merrily along, grossly overloaded and very wobbly, but still a good tool for the roads up here. If they were still made they would sell like hot cakes. I hope to send you some photographs later.
I work for a motor agency here—International, Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet models by the hundred. It would be a lovely sight to see some sturdy British trucks, such as Leyland, Foden, A.E.C., Bedford, E.R.F., etc.
This is a very prosperous country up here and I feel sure, by the questions I am asked, that if the farmers and mining companies could see good British trucks in use under local conditions there would be many buyers. It would pay any of the large British manufacturers to ship one or two 6and 8-ton trucks here to give free demonstrations under actual working conditions (not just to stand in a showroom). Back in England we used to be able to get any amount of free demonstrations.
Ordinary newspaper advertisements do not make a very convincing argument when local people have been brought up on American trucks. If any of your advertisers are interested enough to write to me, I would be only too happy to interest my company with a tew to its taking up an agency I started taking your journal in 1923 and have learned much from it, and disagreed with a lot, during my 25 years as maintenance mechanic for a large concern near London.
You are welcome to print this letter; it may give food for thought to our complacent manufacturers, and if any of your readers—trader or mechanic—requite genuine information on the commercial motor trade in this country, I will be very happy to hear from them and will reply to every letter. While I am writing I would like to take this opportunity to wish a Happy Xmas and a prosperous 1949 to the " C.NI.," all its readers and my many old friends in the English motor
trade. E. H. WAYLAND.
(Late of Greenford Green, Middx.) c/o A. W. Rasmussen, Gregory Street, Mackay.
North Queens!and
[We thank Mr. Wayland for his interesting letter and are interested in his suggestions concerning the sale of British vehicles in Australia. Perhaps some of our manufacturers will get into touch with him, also traders and mechanics who require more information as to the problems of the industry in that country. On behalf of ourselves and our readers, we reciprocate the Compliments of the Season expressed by him.—Eo.)