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MAKING FULL USE OF THE FORD.

14th March 1922, Page 9
14th March 1922
Page 9
Page 10
Page 9, 14th March 1922 — MAKING FULL USE OF THE FORD.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A Convertible Body which can be Used as a Coach or a Smart Trade Van.

WE HAVE always been firmly opposed to the conversion of goods vehicle, chassis to passenger uses, or vice versa, particularly in the case of vehicles carrying more than 30 cwt. of goods or about 20 passengers, and our views on the matter are staunchly supported by by the experiences of many users who have found the practice to be un. sound. We must frankly admit, however, that, although the practice is decidedly on the wane amongst users of the heavier class of vehicle, it certainly appears to be largely on the increase amongst owners of light machines, prominent amongst which, of course, is the ubiquitous .Ford.

It seems to matter little to what use or uses the Ford is put, for it invariably gives good service, providing, of course, due regard is paid to loading limits.

Many users of Ford chassis—and we speak more particularly of the onetonner—find that, they are unable to pro'vide all-the-year-round employment for their vehicle or vehicles in a single guise, and for these users the goods-cumcoach body must possess many attractions. The way to get the best service from a vehicle of any type is to snake 'full use of it, and for this reason the user who is affected by seasonal trade very often finds it an advantage to be able to convert, with little trouble, a vehicle which has been used for, say, ordinary haulage during the winter, into a passenger carrier during the summer months..

It would be costly to purchase two separate bodies, and for this reason the dual-purpose body has much to commend it, especially if the conversion can be effected without spoiling the appearance of the vehicle when used for either purpose. This can certainly be said for the dual-purpose body designed by Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., Pembroke Road, High Street, Hornsey, London, N.8, as a 14-seater coach and a trade delivery van for the purpose of enabling full use to be made of the Ford.

Many convertible bodies are of the slidable type, in which the sides wed back of the goods vehicle are removed previous to the coach body being slid into position along grooves in the flat platform of the goods body, but in the design we are about to describe the van body is bolted on to the waist rail of the coach body, only the passengers' seats being removed when it is intended to Use the Machine as a van.

The van top is easily fixed or detached, and it can be lifted by one man by the aid of a double pulley block suspended from the roof of any garage, lifting rings . being fixsed on the roof for this purpose. The means of fastening-the van top is by seven hinged thumbscrew bolts and plates, which are so positioned as to ensure perfect rigidity and to obviate rattle. The detachable van top. •is guided into positiol by six dowels, and the outer moulding on its bottom edge ensures the joint being perfectly dust and water proof.

The body is constructed of good quality Englieh ash, panelled in C.R.C.A 22. sheet steel, the van top being panelled in 20-gauge aluminium, the moulding and door lapping being of a in: aluminium. When the vehicle is used as a van, loading is effected at the back, a dropdown tailboard, which serves as the back panel for the coach body, being provided as w-ell as a two-piece door opening attached to the detachable top. The doors and tailboard are fastened by sliding bolts and. pins. The seats of the coach body .. -e arranged in the form of a square, a single door behind the driver's row giving access to the passengers' seats

behind. All these seats are securely fastened by setscrews engaging in boss plates which are let into the floor of the body. The arrangement of seats provides plenty of leg-room for passengers and enables conversation between a party of friends to be carried on, and, a card-table can easily be fitted.

The upholstery is of good quality leather cloth staffed with horsehair, pleated squabs and plain cushions fitted with lace web spring frames being used. The floorboards are of tongued and grooved deal, and a trap-doer to give access to the accumulator is provided.

The coach body is fitted with a Kopalapso heed, which can be raised or lowered by one man. It is carried by two strong body-irons and is fastened to the top of the screen when in position, being supported by two billet straps as a protection against wind resistance. When lowered, the hood does not overhang, but is supported by two rest props, which are incorporated in the main body arms.

The body in no eense possesses the appearance of a converted job, and is well sniAted to each of the purposes for which it is,intended. Its price is 2225, but if used as a char-iebancs and open lorry without the detachable top the price is 2195.

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