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Travellers Broughams on the Lacre Model.

12th October 1905
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Page 6, 12th October 1905 — Travellers Broughams on the Lacre Model.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A number of attempts were made some years ago to utilise petrol-engined cars for commercial travelling purposes. Practically the whole of these experimental purchases, the majority of which were made three or four years ago, failed to meet the expectations of the houses who looked favourably upon the proposition as submitted to them at that date by motor manufacturers and agents. Where it was sought to employ the vehicles solely for the conveyance of travellers and their own personal luggage, little trouble was experienced, and there are at the present day several hundred motorcars in successful daily use in this connection. We have already published illustrations and reports from business men, both principals and travellers, in which theadvantages of the motorcar have been acknowledged to the full, but we have not previously seen or heard of a brougham which promises so well as the one which left the show-rooms of the Lacre Motor Car Company, Limited, 1-5, Poland Street, Oxford Street, W., on Friday last. This company has devoted much time and attention to commercial automobilism, and has, from time to time, placed on the market vehicles of various types; but all have been specially designed to meet the requirements of different branches of commercial work. The policy of the chairman and managing director of this company, Mr. Claude Browne, has been to give his individual personal attention to one scheme or section of development at a time, and the conspicuous success which has attended this plan of operation is its best reward. Mr. Browne's organisation of the establishment in Poland Street, as regards the numerous departments which appeal more especially to the motorist who buys touring or pleasure cars, being completed, he has been able to give great care during the last six months to the commercial motor van and lorry side. The fact that Lacre vehicles of these types have been approved and purchased by such houses as Messrs. James Shoo!bred and Company and Thomas Wallis and Company, Limited, for employment on general furnishing, drapery,

and other daily delivery rounds, shows that the usual excellent results are attending this effort as well. As regards country orders, it should be mentioned that the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Limited, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, whose Lacre van was ordered through Messrs. Frank Little and Company, of that city, are finding the machine indispensable for loads ranging between 15 and 3ocwt., but there is no occasion for us to dwell upon this branch of the Lacre business, for it has already been adequately referred to in earlier issues of "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR "—for example, page 392 in our issue of July 27th. The next memorandum in rotation in Mr. Claude Browne's pigeon-hole of bright ideas evidently was an improved travellers' brougham, the design of which has now been registered, and we certainly concur most heartily as to this vehicle's being at least next in importance to the delivery van itself. Some may think that to provide commercial houses with an up-to-date means of presenting their goods to buyers throughout the country should take precedence of the van to effect local deliveries : we will concede that point of view as the correct one in many cases. The Lacre travellers' brougham which we illustrate to-day has just been completed to suit the particular requirements of Messrs. H. H. and S. Budgett and Company, Limited, of Bristol, and it will, without question, prove the forerunner of many similar vehicles for like purposes.

The most striking feature of the vehicle is the large amount of baggage and samples that may be unobtrusively carried, the available space amounting to no less than 27 cubic feet. Few observers who witness this vehicle's graceful lines as it glides through the streets will realise that it is appreciably different from a private brougham, although a closer inspection will reveal the useful manner in which the several carrying divisions are disposed. As a matter of fact, the vehicle is designed and sprung for a normal load of &wt. of samples, in addition to the driver and two passengers. The chassis is amply stout for a total load of one

ton to be carried upon it, and any intending purchasers who wished for their own reasons to specify a greater load than the foregoing could easily have their requirements met by the Lacre Company. The only necessary modifications would be the introduction of slightly stronger springs to the back axle and of a lower gear ratio. The vehicle which we illustrate has a 16h.p. 2-cylinder engine, three speeds and a reverse, a maximum speed of 22 miles per hour, and a ratio between the chain sprockets of 15 teeth to 34 teeth. It should be capable of averaging nearly 14 miles an hour on give-and-take roads, although this speed would probably be reduced on macadam surfaces in wet weather.

The guiding idea which has operated to evolve this Lacre travellers' brougham has been that the result should present the outward appearance of an ordinary brougham, but that the vehicle should be capable of meeting all the regular demands of a principal or traveller requiring to travel about the country with the paraphernalia of his business. There is a receptacle under the back seat which has a capacity in excess of 12 cubic feet, the dimensions being 341n. wide by ioin. deep by 33in. long, and the hinged drop panel, which is secured by a neat lock as well as by an ordinary square key. is checked in position by chains which are covered with flexible leather. There are, inside the brougham, four separate box divisions, or lockers, behind the passengers' headr all neatly cushioned and finished, and the number of these separate receptacles can be varied to specification. The interior measurements of this space are 36in. wide by 12in. long by 3ein. in height, or gi cubic feet. Further stowage facilities are provided under the driver's seat, the box so formed measuring 34m. by 121n. by i8in., or nearly 41 cubic feet. What may be termed the secret cupboard—the contents of which will probably vary according to the temperament of the travellers—is found carefully concealed under the floor boards, the capacity being 2 cubic feet, and this space will certainly provide a useful place for valuable papers, a cash-box, or anything of special importance. It is equally useful, however, for sundries of any kind whatsoever. But these particulars do not exhaust the list of carrying spaces, for there are two boxes, one on each side-step of the vehicle, each measuring 2oin. by loin. by 8in., and they provide practically another two cubic feet. Summarising the whole of the different carrying portions, and after deducting a full 3 cubic feet for tools and spare parts, there is approximately 27 cubic feet of space available for other purposes.

Evidence is not wanting in the coachwork and fittings that the comfort of the occupants of this vehicle has been studied as much as the preparation for hard work of a practical nature. Yet, even the upholstery and the details of finish all testify to the fact that utility is the object in view. Useful pockets for papers, both on the doors, in front and at the passengers' elbows, are provided; a folding writing flap is conveniently hinged in face of the seats, and this could easily be adapted to hold a typewriter. There is also a handy luggage rail for the travellers' hats and any light parcels that may be wanted at any moment.

De Nevers solid grooved tyres, supplied by J. Liversidge and Son, Limited, are fitted, these being particularly suitable for general hard work over all kinds of roads. A careful examination of the details of the brougham in question, the mechanism of which is thoroughly good throughout, convinces us that it will appeal to a large number of commercial houses immediately. it is in advance of anything that has previously been shown for the purpose. The Lacre system is particularly silent in running, the engine is a good hill-climber, and the change-speed gear is " fool-proof." The ignition and the general control are so simple that the services of a professional chauffeur are unnecessary ; an ordinary driver of a horse-drawn vehicle can readily operate the car with very little tuition, and the lubrication throughout is automatic. That the actual purchasers of the particular vehicle we illustrate have confidence in the machine they have bought may be gathered from the fact that the driver has been taken out of one of their provision departments and that he has become an adept manager of the car already. A motor brougham of this description must enable a traveller to cover more than twice as much ground as he could do in any other way, whilst the expense will unquestionably be less. On an average, one gallon of petrol will take the car more than 17 miles ; the consumption of lubricating oil is about one pint per ion miles and of gear oil about one gallon per week. The price of the chassis is £383, and the total cost of the complete brougham will obviously vary according to the construction of the body and fittings. The independence of action which is conferred upon a traveller who has a car of this kind at his disposal, coupled with his ability to cover any round with new samples in half the time generally occupied, should render its adoption imperative with all up-to-date houses. The fact that the Lacre system employs solid rubber tyres, for which it is well fitted and properly designed, eliminates the risk of delay on the road through punctures.


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