De Dion.Bouton, Ltd.
Page 19
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Exhibits :—One Bus; one Commercial Travellers' Brougham; one 2-ton Lorry.
The company is exhibiting a fullsized London omnibus belonging to the " Vanguard " service. This is the standard 25-3oh.p., as supplied to all the leading London companies. The chassis of a smaller vehicle is exhibited on the stand of the Motor Car Emporium, where the mechanical details are more accessible than in the complete omnibus, and it has therefore, been described on page 31. In addition, De Dian-Bouton, Limited, shows a 12h.p. lorry, designed to carry a load of two tons, and a 9h.p. single-cylinder commercial travellers' brougham.
The I2h.p. lorry has the two-cylinder engine placed under the driver's seat, so that a larger proportion than usual of the chassis is available for the goods platform. It is fitted with a disc clutch and sliding-type gear, having three forward speeds and a reverse, and ha S the gear drive by small pinion on flexible differential shaft to internal gear-ring on each back wheel, Similar to that fitted on the large omnibus. The radia
tor is in the dash-board, where it is very effective. The control is by three separate levers, one of which regulates the throttle, a second the spark, and a third the mixture. The left pedal is used for the brake, and the right pedal for the clutch. The brake-pedal is also connected to the throttle, so that it can be used to control the speed, and, by fur ther depression, to apply the brake. The great advantage of this arrangement is that it ensures that the engine shall be well throttled when the brake is applied. The ignition is by high-tension magneto, and the water circulation is maintained by a centrifugal pump, driven by a two-to-one skew gearing from the camshaft.
The commercial travellers' brougham is fitted with a 9h.p. single-cylinder of the usual familiar De Dion type, except that it combines all the latest improvements, including high-tension magneto ignition. The half-compression lever now affects the exhaust valve, instead of the inlet valve. The pedals in this vehicle are arranged for the left one to operate the clutch and the right one to work the throttle and brake, It is fitted with a disc clutch, and sliding-type gear, giving three forward speeds and a reverse. Internal-expanding brakes arc fitted on the hubs of the rear wheels, and they are connected so that, when the lever applies the brake, it withdraws the clutch. The older pattern of flexible drive from the differential to the back wheels is retained.
The body is of a distinctly novel type, specially designed to provide great comfort to the traveller and ample space for samples. The entrance is on the near side, and the seat extends only half-way across, the space on the off side being occupied by a tier of drawers reaching to the roof. A further compartment, fully fitted up with drawers, is entered from the back. There are many travellers who will find this body particularly suitable for their work, although any modification or alteration required for particular purposes could easily be effected.
The excellent work for which De Dion,Bouton, Limited, is justly celebrated can be noticed throughout the chassis exhibited.