WHAT COACHBUILDERS ARE DOING IN 1922.
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Types of Coaches which are Being Called For. Modern Tendencies in Design. The Use of Pneumatic Tyres. The Problem of the Spare Wheel or Tyre.
F'people are able to give such informative views on the motor coaching situation as are the large bodybuilders and those, makers who, as well as manufacturingthe chassis, build their own bodies to fit them. In many cases the coachbuilder learns of the need for particular sizes of vehicles long before the chassis manufacturer is prepared to meet the requirements. Such is the Case with the smaller types of motor coaches —varying in their passenger-carrying capacity from 8 to 16. Even now many of the small coach bodies are being mounted on what are more or less private car chassis, as it has only lately been realized by the manufacturers that a need exists for chassis suitable for these smaller bodies, with the result that there are only a few satisfactory coach chassis of this type on the market-. NV° recently had an interesting chat with Mr. C. S. Windsor, the very able raga-aping director of Ls. Bartle and , Ltd. 236A, Lancaster Road, *
London, AL Mr. Windsor stated that he is receiving orders for more of the 28-seater type of coach body thin for any other, although a certain number of the same-sized body is being fitted -with separate bucket seats, thus reducing the carrying capacity to 22 persons, but giving far greater comfort, as the seats are of • the tip-up and revolving type. He is also supplying quite a number of 16-seaters, which are in many cases being purchased by owners who already possess larger vehicles, so that by the use of a large and a small vehicle they can accommodate parties for which it would be uneconomical to supply two large machines. They can also run smaller parties to greater distances as, in many cases it is difficult to obtain a large number of passengers wishing to visit any particular place a long distance away.
Many of these smaller coaches are fitted with pneumatic tyres. Mr. Windsor is of the definite opinion that these tyres will become increasingly popular, as he has had excellent reports both as regards the giant tyres and of the ordinary pneumatics with twins at the rear. In the case of one fleet, four bursts were experienced with giant pneumatics last season, but in no case was any difficulty experie‘nced with the steering, nor was there any danger of the vehicles turning over.
There is also an increasing demand for bodies with only two doors, one at each end of the near side ; of course, in such cases a central gangway has to be provided.
The Bartle coach bodies are now provided with the special Bartle windscreen with side flaps, which protect the whole width of the vehicle' also, the doors are all fitted with dottlAoocks, which require two distinct motions of the handles to unfasten, thus there is no possibility of the doors flying open whilst the vehicle is travelling. Incidentally, this arrangement meets the requirements of Scotland Yard.
A large luggage locker is fitted to the hack of all coaches except those equipped with pneumatics, in which case the, spate wheel, or the cover, in the case of giant tyres, usually has to occupy this space, as it is difficult to find any other position for it.
On the larger coaches all the seats are made with sufficient room underneath them to take a Gladstone bag. This is a point which is overlooked by many of the builders.
• The latest type of Bartle hood is also fitted as standard, and the company have not had a single complaint from over 200 users. It will be remembered that in this hood the hoop sticks are separate from the twill; they are permaiiently in position, but can be neatly folded down when not in use, whilst the twill is then housed at the back of the vehicle in a special ,tray provided with drainage holes.
There are practically no variations in the actual details of body construction, but as regards the painting the company have found spraying unsatisfactory, and baush-work hasagain been resorted to.
Mr. Windsor pointed out that one of the great troubles experienced with the chaSsis is that insufficient attention is paid by the manufacturers to the standardization of wheelhases. If a user has a mixed fleet, of vehicles, he is pievented from interchanging the bodies,' as he sometimes wishes to do. With the exception of possibly three makes, most of the wheelbases are also too short.
The company are testing out a new type of all-steel body construction, but for the present we will not say any more regarding this.. Duncansons Ltd., of Balmoral Works, Sce.tstoun, Glasgow, are perhaps the bestknown builders of motor coach bodies iE Scotland, and they showed very fine examples at the recent Scottish Exhibition.
Two particularly interesting types are madeby them. One is a torpedo-type coach, • providing seating accommodation. for 23 passengers. One of the chief features of this body is that it is specially designed to conform with the proposed restrictions on some of the Scottish roads, one restriction enforcing an over all width of 6 ft. 3 ins. .
In this body ample leg room and knee cover are provided, and the seats are inclined at an angle to give a restful position, whilst the comfort of the passengers is further assisted by wide cushions built up on spring frames, which are specially strengthened with diagonal tie-rods to prevent the cushions getting out of shape.
Doors are fitted to all seats except that at the rear, which is specially arranged to carry luggage, if necessary, entrance being gained by a door in the middle-of the penultimate row. When in use for luggage, the cushions are removed and the hinged seat is folded up
against the back squab, giving protection to the trimming. This body is fitted with the Bartle patent hood, with which the company have expressed their
complete. satisfaction. The vehicle is mounted on pneumatic tyres, and provision is made for carrying two spare wheels, complete with tyres, in an underslung case supported . by light angle-irons, whilst, to give free ingress and egress, the bottom running board on the near side is hinged, which gives a wider step, and, when folded, gives an
-overall width within the limit. This type of body is built for Bryson Bros.
{Motors), Ltd-, of Glasgow, who run the vehicles for Thomas Cook and Sons' Highland tours.
The other body is a double-purpose, combined lorry and coach, and as a coach it affords accommodation for 23 persons. All the seats are arranged cross-wise, there being one wide entrance door at the front. near side, access to the seats being gained by a central passage. The coach portion of the body is detachable and can be slid off the platform towards the rear of the vehicle after removing the holding down bolts. Both the lorry platform and the coach body are fitted with sliding plates. Two hoods are provided, one for protecting the passengers and one for protecting the driver when the vehicle is in use as a lorry. The coach hood extends the full length of the body, whilst the driver's
hood gives ample protection to the front seat.
Strachan and Brown, Ltd.. High Street, Kensington, London, W.8, are the makers of a particularly interesting winter top, for which many orders have been received. Each top is made to fit the particular body for which it is intended ; it does not matter whether there are ball a dozen doors, or only two and a central gangway, if the upholstery overhangs or if the body has tumblehome sides. The company consider that one of the most popular types of bodies will be that with two doors, one at each end of the r:ear side, combined with a central gangway. One disadvantage of this construction is that, owing to the separato seatS, the body is not tied together quite so well as in the Ordinary construction, but this is made up for by the scientific disposal of the iron work.
Inquiries are being received for bodies with the ordinary type of seating at the front end and a sociable compartment at the rear. The smaller coaches are also in demand.
The company pointed out that, up to the present, many of the smaller coaches have been built on pleasure ear chassis, but in these the bonnet. is almost always too low to make a satisfactory job, whilst the wheel arches have to be very
high. However, the British manufacturer appears to be waking up as regards tho provision of chassis suitable for carrying 14-16-seater bodies.
This company is also experiencing a demand for bucket seats, in spite of the fact that these decrease the seating capacity by one passenger per row, They also informed us that there is still a demand for the vehicle which can be used either as a coach or as a lorry.
As regards small coaches, they have even built, bodies to seat eight persons. These can be put on a well-built private car chassis without any.alteration to the latter.
One particular vehicle, a large Ley. land, has been fitted with windscreens and side wings to each seat, each screen also being-provided with a proper apron.
Reference was made to the fact that most of the proprietors prefer the metal type of windscreen rather than the wooden type, as the latter has a.somewhat. heavy appearance. They consider that it would be advisable to educate the public to the use of vehicles with permanent canopies. There is no reason why this type of vehicle should be unpopular, -and it would certainly get over a great deal of the troubles which are experienced with the ordinary type of hood, which weighs down the rear of the vehicle and costs as much as £25 to repair during an overhaul.
A number of special 14-seater coach bodies, constructed with most luxurious armchair seats, and with the upholstery and trimming carried out in a style equal to that of a private limousine car, is at present going through the factory. of Dennis Bros., Ltd., of Guildford, who already have a large number of orders in hand for delivery at Easter and Whitsuntide. This company are turning,out a. full range of chassis suitable for bodies seating from 14 to 33 persons.
Leyland Motors, Ltd., arc still finding a sustained interest in the large 32seater, solid-tyred vehicle, but they are also receiving numerous inquiries regarding the 23-seater motor coach de luxe. A certain number of the small saloon and open coaches is being fitted with pneumatic tyres, although the majority of owners are not yet persuaded as to the economy of these.
One of the specialities of the company is a new all-weather saloon coach, which can be supplied either with fixed or de tachable top. This vehicle has front entrance; armchair seating and drop windows with guards, and is mounted on super-resilient tyres.
We must not forget to refer specially to the latest pattern Leyland hood, which can truly be called a one-man hood. It is provided with four tubular uprights and two longitudinal runners forming a framework on which the hood battens can slide. When the hood is drawn over this framework thcalatter takes the weight. When not in use the framework can either be left in situ or taken down and packed in a box fixed on the off-side running board,
Owing to limitations of space we have not been able to deal in this issue with the programmes of other builders, but we shall continue to de so in subsequent issues.