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Oilers Supreme at the Show
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THE 1956 Commercial Motor Show, which opens, at Earls Court next Friday, promises to be the most interesting 'yet held. A Continental atmosphere will be imparted by the Chausson, D.A.F., Magirus-Deutz, Skoda, Tatra, Volvo and Volkswagen exhibits, the chassis of which will not only be of interest in themselves, but will allow the more technically inclined to compare curreert Continental practice with the finest British vehicles.
This will also apply to bodywork, as an example of Italian craftsmanship will be seen in an ultra-modern luxury coach body on the Leyland stand. It will be mounted on a Worldmaster chassis.
A number of npw models and others embracing important improvements and modifications will be seen among the goods-vehicle exhibits. One of outstanding interest is the Mann Egerton-Albion lightalloy 10-ton four-wheeler. This vehicle is a development of a lightweight integr.al design exhibited in 1954. Other examples of chassisless construction will be found in the French Chausson, the M.C.W.Leyland Olympic, Harrington, Beadle and A.C.V. Bridgemaster.
Rutland Premiere Rutland vehicles have not previously been exhibited at Earls Court and the model to be shown will be a six-wheeler powered by a Leyland 150-b.h.p. oil engine. , In connection with the five-speed gearbox, there is an auxiliary gear which can be used as a step-up or step-down ratio, and the steering is power-assisted.
In the Swift, Thornyeroft have a new 4-ton chassis which will be available in the demonstration park. At the other end of the scale will be the latest version of the Thornycroft Big Ben series in the form of a 70,000-1b. gross-weight vehicle.
Leylands will introduce the Buffalo. a six-wheeled goods vehicle designed for fast travel at high altitudes. The latest versionof the Militant 6 x 4
c34
chassis, powered by an A.E.C. 11.3litre oil engine, as developed for the Ministry of Supply, is to be exhibited by Crossley.
In the lighter types of vehicle, examples of the new B.M.C. range will bo displayed on the Austin and Morris-Commercial stand s. The Austin models are designated the Series A152 Omniva,n, Omnitruck and Omnicoach, and in the case of Morris-Commercial they are designated the 12. An interesting innovation is promised by the Standard Motor Co., Ltd., on their 6-cwt. chassis.
On the passenger side, the new Leyland Atlantean 78-seat doubledeck bus, which is to be shown, represents the greatest advance yet made in the design of public service vehicles. On the Crossley stand will be an example of the new Bridgemaster low-height double-decker having independent suspension for the front wheels and coil springs at the rear.
A Dennis -version of the Bristol Lodekka double-deck bus, known as the Loline, a new Guy coach chassis, • and an Atkinson double-decker.
chassis incorporating a semi auto matic gear-change, will be among other interesting exhibits on the passenger side.
GOODS
THEpolicy of basing 5-cwt. and J0-cwt. delivery vans on ,private-ear chassis is a production economy which has been responsible for a type that not only has a snappy performance, but provides a high degree of operating economy. Examples will be shown by Austin, Bedford, Comrner, Morris. -Ford, Standard and Reliant.
Light oil-engined vehicles will be found in the Trojan, which is made in two wheelbases, and in the Seddon. Both makers use the Perkins P3 oil engine. The Trojan _is rated as a 1-tonner, whilst the Seddon, originally introduced as a 25-cwt. vehicle, will be shown uprated to 30 cwt, Air Cooled The only example of an air-cooled petrol-engined vehicle will be found in the German-built Volkswagen, which has a payload of 15 cvvt. Another small machine will be seen in the American-built Willys Jeep. It is an all-purpose vehicle having its British counterpart in the Land-Rover, of which a number of examples will be shown. An important improvement in the Land-Rover chassis is the use of a recirculating ball-type steering gearbox, which makes for much lighter' control, an important feature when running over rough ground.
To be shown alongside two models of the Reliant 5-ewt. van will be a new utility version. based on the 5-cwt. chassis.
Oil engines are now more freely available in vehicles ranging upwards from 15 cwt. payload capacity. Although the choice of power unit as between oil and Petrol is still, in a measure, governed by the annual mileage to be covered, the gradual levelling out of the prices of the two types is tending to reduce the importance of this factor, Small Oilers Examples of oil-engined vehicles in the 1f-3-ton class will be shown by Austin, Commer, Karrier, Guy, Seddon and Morris-Commercial. In the case of Commer and Karrler vehicles the payload range extends from 15 cwt. to 2 tons, the engine used being a new 2.26-litre unit developing 54 b.h.p. at 3,000 r.p.m. (see pages 202-205).
The smallest Thames vehicle available with the Ford oil engine is a 3-tonner. The power unit has a swept volume of 3.6 litres and develops 60 b.h.p. at 2,400 r.p.m. The price difference between the oil-engined vehicle and that with the petrol engine is only £100.
In the 3-5-ton payload class the choice will be wide, as more than a dozen makers will stage vehicles of c36 these types. One model of the Karrier Gamecock will have the Rootes threecylindered two-stroke oil engine installed. _ Unfortunately, the. new Thornycroft Swift 4-ton oil-engined chassis will not be on the makers' stand. It will, however, be available for inspection in the demonstration park. It is powered by an 80 b.h.p. oil engine and has a payload rating of 4 tons. '
' The Dodge 5-tonner with a Perkns P6 "oil engine will be one of the recently introduced normal-control chassis. When inspecting these •Dodge models, attention should be paid to the roomy three-seat cab. In most cases Vehicles in the 3-5-ton payload class will be -exhibited with oil engines, but where they are not, that type of unit is offered as an alternative to a petrol engine.
One of the Scammell Scarab 6-ton exhibits will have a Perkins P4 oil engine. Whilst this vehicle is for export. the Perkins unit is now available in this chassis as an alternative to the Scammell 45 b.h.p. petrol engine.
One of the few examples of underfloor engined goods vehicles will be the Albion Claymore. The model to be shown, which is powered by a 60 b.h.p. oil engine, has an unladen weight of under 3 tons.
the payload capacity being approximately 5 tons.
Designed for a payload of 7 tons, an Albion overtype chassis is to be shown with a Homalloy platform body, the weight ot the complete vehicle being under 3 tons. In the 7-ton class comes a new B.M.C.-group product in a shortwheelbase chassis, powered by the B.M.C. 5.1-litre 90 b.h.p. oil engine. Included in the features to look for on this chassis are power-assisted steering and an electrically controlled Eaton two-speed axle.
Power-assisted steering will also be found in a Bedford 7-ton long-wheelbase chassis, although it does not form standard equipment.
The latest Pax III, which will be shown on the Dennis stand, has a pay
load capacity of about 61 tons. It is powered by a Perkins P6 oil engine and is fitted with the new Dennis spiral-bevel rear axle. • Both normal-control and semiforward-control versions of the Dodge 7-tonner will be exhibited, the oil engine used being the Perkins R6 unit.
The full-view cab on the E.R.F. models will be a feature to look for.' An example will figure on the maker's Model LKG44 6-tonner with Gardner four-cylindered oil engine.
The smallest Foden . model will be a 6-7-cu.-yd. tipper—the FED/4powered by the Foden four-cylindered two-stroke engine, which develops 84 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m. This vehicle is characteristically robust and has an eight-speed spur and epicyclic gearbox.
Meadows oil engines will be well represented in Show chassis and one such is the Guy Warrior 8-tonner, in which the Meadows 4DC 330 unit will be fitted. This vehicle will have lefthand controls and overdrive gearbox.
Among the increasing number of vehicles with power-assisted steering is the latest Thornycroft Trusty 14-tongross machine. Although this type of steering is an alternative extra, the oil pump employed with the system is positively driven from the engine and as such forms an inbuilt component. The Trusty has a payload capacity of 81-9 tons.
Designed for a payload in excess of 10 tons and having a gross laden weight of 14 tons, the Mann Egerton-Albion is a four-wheeler in which light alloys are extensively employed. Its running components are of Albion make, the engine being the EN.286 85 b.h.p. unit. This vehicle will be seen on the Mann Egerton stand.
The Magirus-Deutz is a German vehicle which employs an . eightcylindered air-cooled oil engine. It drives and steers on all four wheels and is to be shown with a tipping body.
In the multi-wheeler class there will be a number of new models of outstanding interest, whilst power-assisted steering will figure in a high percentage of these heavy machines.
The Atkinson Model L 1366 sixwheeler has an improved braking system in which twin Hydrovac units are used.
One unit controls the brakes on the front wheels and those on the leading bogie axle, whilst the other controls the brakes on the rear axle of the bogie. This chassis has power-assisted steering_ New to the E.R.F. range is the Model 46TSRA twin-steer six-wheeler, which will be exhibited with a RollsRoyce 133 b.h.p. direct-injection oil engine. Of interest, too, will be the E.R.F. six-wheeled tractor, which also has a Rolls-Royce engine and, further, is fitted with a Road-Ranger 10-speed semi-automatic gearbox.
A feature to look for on the Foden exhibits will be the new cab which is to form standard. equipment as from November 1. Not only is it more robust than previous types, but the degree of visibility has been enhanced by the use of a curved windscreen and corner screens and the employment of thin pillars.
On the Leyland stand will be seen the new Buffalo, which is a larger and improved version of the six-wheeled Super Hippo. It has a Leyland-Albion 200 b.h.p. oil engine, an eight-speed Pneumo-Cyclic semi-automatic gearbox, worm-drive bogie axles with third differential and power-assisted steering. Designed for fast travel at high altitudes it is essentially an export model.
The Rutland model to be shown is a six-wheeler powered by a Leyland 150 b.h.p. oil engine. In conjunction with a five-speed gearbox, there is an auxiliary box which provides either a step-up or step-down ratio, according to requirements. This will be yet another chassis with power-assisted steering, A larger version of the Scarnmell Constructor 20-tonner will be found in
the Super Constructor, which has been designed for a gross vehicle weight of 46-1tons. A Rolls-Royce 200 b.h.p. oil
engine Used and the main gearbox provides six forward speeds.
The transfer box, which conveys the drive to the three axles, incorporates a two-speed auxiliary box. Another Scammell of unusual interest will be an articulated eight-wheeler. Among the features to note are the suspension system on the semi-trailer bogie and the automatic telescopic-leg coupling gear, Big machines are always a centre of attraction and two examples will be found on the Thornycroft stand, one being the latest version of the Big Ben 6 x 6 and the other the Trusty 8 x 4 chassis. The former model has a 200b.h.p. turbo-supercharged oil engine, which is a boosted version of the Thornycroft standard KRN6 unit. For an increased weight of only 40 lb., an extra 45 b.h.p. has been obtained.
A new Unipower tractor will be seen irt the Centipede, -a four-wheeler which drives and steers on all wheels. .
Considerable t e eh n ical interest attaches to the Tatra, as it is probably the most unconventional type in production. It has a central tubular backbone from which the wheels and other components are supported on outrigged members. It has, too, a 12-cylindered air‘cooled oil engine.
To be shown alongside the Taira will be a Skoda lorry. This chassis is of straightforward design, the engine used being an I1.78-litre oiler.
• A new version of the Seddon Mk. 12F forward-control 12-ton gross sixwheeler, with double-drive rear bogie and having a 16-ton gross rating, will be seen on the maker's stand.
Holland's D.A.F. display will include types for payloads front 5 tons to 15 tons. A 10-15-ton model and a 6-7-tonner will incorporate a D.A.F.built Leyland engine, whilst a third exhibit, a 5-tonner, will be shown with a Perkins P6 oil engine.
Four examples of the Swedish Volvo are to be staged. Two will be 7-tonners and the others will be in the 11-ton payload class. The heavier models are six-wheelers, • one of which will be shown with a cab having sleeping accommodation for the driver.
PASSENGER
OUTSTANDING among the new passenger vehicles will be the Leyland At lantean rear-engined 78-seat bus, the chassis ot, which incorporates design features providing for maximum passenger comfort combined with ease of control and a high factor of safety
c40 An example of the new A.C.V. Bridgemaster, a low-height double-decker, will be shown on the Crossley stand. It is of integral construction and has independent front-wheel suspension with coil-spring suspension at the rear.
The Albion Nimbus single-decker to be exhibited is a lightweight vehicle employing an underfloor engine. It will be shown as a 31-seater with Walter Alexander bodywork. ,
A semi-automatic gear-change is now incorporated in the Atkinson doubledecker chassis. A fluid coupling and Wilson epicyclic gearbox are used, with a lock-up centrifugal clutch incorporated in the coupling. A new Daimler chassis Will be seen in the model C.V.D. 630/30. It is a longer version of the C.V.D./G chassis, having an overall length of 30 ft. on two axles. The choice is given of a Daimler 10.6-litre oil engine or a Gardner 8.4litre oil unit; examples of both types of chassis are to be exhibited.
In the Dennis version of the Bristol Lodekka double-decker bus chassis; known as the Loline, a Gardner 6LW 112 b.h.p. oil engine is used in conjunction with a five-speed inverse-drive gearbox, This unit has an offset output shaft, which helps to reduce the angularity of the transmission line. , With the exception of the engine and gearbox, the specification follows that of the Bristol chassis.
• On the Guy stand will be a new light coach chassis employing a Meadows 90 b.h.p. underfloor engine. The clutch is hydraulically operated and drives to a five-speed over-drive-top gearbox. The Main members of the frame are inswept at the forward end to provide for a low entrance.
The ,Italian-built 40-seat coach body on a Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster chassis was built by Soc., P. Az Auto costruzioni Casaro, Turin. It is an excellent example of Italian workmanship, the smooth flowing lines of the body reflecting the speed and power of the Woridrnaster chassis.
The personnel wagon which will be seen on the Trojan stand has 11 passenger seats. It is based on thc standard chassis, whilst the Trojan sitting-case ambulance, also to be shown, has the
long-wheelbase , chassis. Both are powered by a Perkins P3 oil engine. The Trojan ambulance is of the type supplied to Middlesex County Council. It will take 11 sitting cases, orseven
sitting and one stretcher case, or three sitting and two stretcher cases. .
Ambulances will also be shown by Karrier and Dennis. The Karrier, with Herbert Lomas body, has a 2.26-litre 56 b.h.p. petrol engine. The four-speed gearbox has provision for a powerdriven attachment.
Po-wered by a Perkins P4 oil engine, the Dennis chassis was designed for ambulance service and it incorporates a De Dion-type rear axle mounted on a Cary-Gregoire suspension system, which allows the axle shafts to move independently. As the differential housing is anchored to the frame, it has been possible to keep the floor height down to 1 ft. 10 in,
The only taxicab to be shown is the Beardmore, the design of which remains basically unchanged, The engine used is similar to that in the Ford Consul private car and the chassis has a steering-column gear lever.
The integrally built Chausson will he shown as a 44-seat coach, the body design being such that 10 extra passengers can be accommodated on folding seats. The mechanical components include an Hispano-Suiza sixcylindered 135 b.h.p. underfloor oil engine, a five-speed overdrive gearbox and a doublereduction rear axle. With a wheelbase of 16 ft. 10 in., the overall length is 33 ft.
Integral construction is also a feature of the M.C.W.-Leyland Olympic, the model to be
exhibited being for export to Jamaica. The running components are as used in the Leyland Worldmaster and include an 11.1-litre oil engine of 150 b.h.p. and a four-speed Pneumo-Cyclic gearbox.
In the Harrington Contender integral coach, the engine is a Rootes threecylindered two-stroke oil unit developing a maximum of 105 b.h.p. A Meadows constant-mesh gearbox provides five speeds, and the spiral-bevel rear axle is a single-speed component having a ratio of 4.33 to 1. The Harrington coach body is a 41-seater,
the unladen weight of the complete vehicle being 51 tons.
A second example of the Contender will have a Rolls-Royce B.60 122 b.h.p. petrol engine mounted vertically under the floor amidships in the chassis. The unladen Weight of this model is 4 tons 19 cwt..
Two examples of the Beadle passenger vehicle of integral design are to be shown, one being a 41seat coach and the other a 45-seat bus, both being powered by the Rootes three-cylindered two-stroke oil engine. Both these vehicles are 8 ft. wide and 30 ft. long. The power unit is mounted in the centre of the chassis in unit with a five-speed synchromesh gearbox.
Britain's two trolleybus makers—B.U.T. and Sunbeam
—both have stands. B.U.T. will exhibit, a single-deck twoa.xled vehicle with a Park Royal 38-seat all metal body. A single deck trolleybus will also be exhibited by Sunbeam.