SPRING ABUTMENTS B.T.C. Chassisless Bus
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for the Show ?
IT is thought likely that a revolutionary double-deck bus, built to the designof the British Transport Commission, will be shown at the Commercial Motor Show at Earls Court next month. A patent, No. 712,326, has been taken out by the B.T.C., in which details of a form of chassisless construction for double-deck bodies are given. The body pillars and main longitudinal members are of H section, the longitudinals being formed into the rear wheel-arches. These are sufficiently rigid to comprise the abutments for the helical springs of the rear suspension.
A diagonally braced bulkhead connects the side members at the front, and two other cross-members strengthen the underframe at the pillar bases.
Two cantilever arms, attached to the bulkhead and the second body pillars, carry the engine and front-suspension coil springs.
. The patent also covers the engine and transmission layout.
On February 5 The , Commercial Motor published details of other patents taken out by the B.T.C., in which front and rear independent suspension systems were described, together with a means for co-ordinating hydraulic and mechanical brake operation and the steering layout.
It is not known whether the vehicle will be shown at Earls Court with these independent suspension systems. as they might be of a purely exploratory nature.
RULES FOR TAX EXEMPTION FOR 12-SEATERS
T° qualify for exemption from purchase tax, a 12-seat vehicle must be of a kind not likely to be used mainly for the carriage of goods, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise stated on Monday. The vehicle should be either of the public service type, or a kind supplied to organizations which supply their own personnel transport.
As from October 1, the following features will be required for tax exemption: Adequate seating for not fewer than 12 passengegs, including the driver. When the vehicle is fitted with continuous seats, 1 ft. 4 in. must be allowed for each person.
The seats may not tip or fold, but three seats may swivel or pivot to facilitate ingress and egress. The total area of the seats must be more than half the floor space. There must be a rear and a near-side door.
The distance between the fronts of facing seats must be at least 1 ft. 4 in., with a minimum of 3 ft. vertical clearance above. Lighting and ventilation must be adequate. Steps should be provided at doors unless floor height is 1 ft. 5 in. or less. Doors should open from the inside, as well as the outside,
Particulars of 12-seat vehicles in which any of these features is not present should be submitted to the Commissioners through local Excise officers.