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Smooth ride into the future
Page 64
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A FUTURISTIC alicl luxurtrt ious cab mounted ahead of the power unit and front wheels of a mock-up vehicle front and featuring a central driving position will be a striking exhibit on the Motor Panels (Coventry) Ltd (stand 300) at Earls Court. The cab accommodates four people in addition to the driver.
The vehicle is called the Transcontinental and its construction features the company's "standard panel" building method. This involves the manufacture of a number of basiq panels which can be assertibled to provide a complete range of cab variants.
The first Transcontinental cab was shown at Earls Court in 1972.
Although mounted ahead of the front wheels, the cab is designed with appropriate approach angle and clearance for off-highway application. A lower-profile version of the cab is also available for other uses.
The central driving position gives, the company claims, an exceptional angle of uninterrupted vision. The four-seat accommodation is achieved by pushing the cab width out ' 280mm (1 1 in) more than the standard unit.
The radiator air duct and engine intake are located above the cab roof away from the dust and leaving the cab clear for a central driving position. Attached directly to the chassis, the air duct can serve as a load-bearing memberito improve weight distribution of long loads. Because the cab is out front, a substantial reduction of noise and heat from the engine is achieved with a subsequent saving in the cost and weight of cab insulation.
The cab is glazed throughout in "Sundym" glass, the screen is served by triple wipers and the door glasses are electrically operated.
The front integral bumper is fitted with special lighting equipment and the main headlamps have their own wash/ wipe units. Access for lubrication, adjustment of power-steering gear and pedal controls is Obtained via the front bumper.
The cab interior, by Ogle Design Ltd, also has many new and unusual features. The driver's seat is mounted on a Dunlop air suspension unit which is pneumatically adjusted from a facia control. The four passenger seats are behind the driver's seat.
Driving controls and instruments are grouped around the driver as in an aircraft cockpit.
Instruments are contained within inter-changeable modular units which permits 'different instrument options to suit individual vehicle applications. Instruments available include a tachometer, tachograph, gimbal compass plus other controls; switch gear and warning lights.
Other features include radio-telephone, back projection route finder, wash basin with running water, refrigerator, first-aid boxes, storage compart ments, reading lights, and detachable door pouches for crew's personal effects. The windscreen has full-width roller blinds.
Temperature control is provided by a roof-mounted Kysor air-conditioning unit adapted to fit a military type hip-ring.