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A SHOW

NOT TO BE MISSED

IN the course of the next few hours, the first vehicles will start entering Earls Court ready for presentation at what promises to be quite the most interesting Commercial Motor Show that has been held there in post-war years. This will be a Show which nobody with any interest in the transport industry can afford to miss, for it will reveal that British manufacturers are getting prepared. for a world-wide struggle to maintain their reputations for design superiority.

On nearly all• the vehicle-Manufacturers' stands—all but three of which are occupied by British companies—new designs will be found: details of some of these are secret even at this eleventh hour, including a 15-cwt. van, a 1-ton vehicle, a slightly larger delivery vehicle, a heavier development of an existing model, an eight-wheeler designed with a view to reducing main tenance and a new cross-country machine. .

A quick look at the list of exhibits which have already been announced shows the great number of new designs which will be on view. A.E.C., Ltd., will have six vehicles on their stand—three goods and three passenger—which have not been exhibited in Earls Court before, including an overseas passenger chassis with full air suspension, the Renown lowheight double-decker, which has air suspension at the rear, a 36-ft. Reliance coach, the Mogul overseas four-wheeler, a lightweight version of the Mammoth Major eight-wheeler and an automaticcoupling version of the Mercury tractive unit.

Albion Motors, Ltd., have three newcomers; the Chieftain Super Six sixcylinder 7-tonner, the Super Reiver medium-duty six-wheeler and the Lowlander low-frame double-decker which, like the A.E.C. Renown, has air suspension at the rear axle. One of the most unusual vehicles at the Show will be the Alvis Stalwart amphibious 5-tonner—a civilian version of a military design which

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has been chosen to represent Allis, Ltd., on the occasion of their' first appearance in a Commercial Motor Show.

Atkinson Vehicles, Ltd., have six 24-ton-gross models on their stand which incorporate minor improvements made over the course of the past two years. but the seventh exhibit is a new semiforward-control tractive unit built specially for B.R.S. (Pickfords), Ltd. Earlier this year, Atkinson's introduced their Weightmaster range of low-weight maximum-capacity goods chassis, and although they are not showing any of these themselves, there will be several examples on other stands in the Hall.

The latest version of the Gipsy, which has a more powerful engine and is available with leaf springs, is presented on the Austin stand, together with a 17-ton-gross automatic-coupling tractive unit and various goods models incorporating design improvements. Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., are—naturally enough—making a big feature of their revolutionary Bedford VAL twin-steer low-height passenger chassis. This. is suitable for 36-ft. bodywork and bristles with interestingdesign features. .

Most of the Commer exhibits are making their first appearance at Earls Court, some of the more interesting of these including two Walk-Thru delivery vehicles and two of their latest heavy chassis, which have a new cab giving a high standard of , driving comfort. Daimler show their two rear-engined passenger chassis, the newest of these being the :SRO 6-_ horizontal-engined design which is intended for use with single-deck .bodies and which is shown in prototype form.

Dennis Bros., Ltd., will have two of their new Pax V models on display, whilst a new forward-entry bus chassis is to be exhibited by Dodge Bros. (Britain), Ltd., together with several of

their latest goods chassis.. ,

The term "futuristic" could well be applied to the eight-wheeler which will be on the E.R.F.' stand, for this model

incorporates a fully automatic transmission, an air-sprung rear bogie and disc front brakes, features which give driving ease, smooth suspension and high-speed braking safety. Another introduction by this company will be a normal-control tractive unit with six-wheel drive which is intended for oilfields use at a gross train weight of 50 tons. As mentioned briefly several weeks ago, Fodens, Ltd., will have a vehicle with a tilt cab on their stand, in addition to a lightweight articulated outfit which can carry a payload of 17 tons and a Continental-type tractive unit with sleeper cab.

Modified Models

Guy Motors will have several modifications of earlier designs to offer, including the Arab V double-decker chassis of conventional layout but with a reduced frame height, a Mk. III Invincible tractive unit with forward-entry cab, and a special version of their highly original Wulfrunian double-decker chassis, modified to take an entrance behind the front wheels. Karrier Motors, Ltd., are to show a new -ambulance based on the Walk-Thru chassis alongside typical examples of their normal delivery and municipal types.

A complete departure from normal Leyland Motors' practice can be seen on their stand in the shape of a 2-ton forward-control goods chassis with a set-back engine to facilitate access to the driving seat from the kerb side of the vehicle, whilst other new Leyland models will include a reduced-weight version of their Octopus eight-wheeler and a Super Beaver overseas four-wheeler with Power-Plus engine and running units.

A complete full-sized coach of foreign manufacture is being offered to British operators for the first time for over 30 years in the form of the Mercedes-Benz O 321H-L.

A new 17-ton tractive unit and smart 10-ewt. models will be shown by Morris and Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., whilst another new tractive unit will be found on the Scammell stand, this being the four-wheeled Scarab-Four 3/4-tonneranother vehicle designed with a view to easing the lot of the delivery-vehicle driver. Also new on this stand will be the Routeman Mk. H eight-wheeler which combines a comprehensive specification with low chassis weight and is distinguished by its Italian-styled plastics cab.

New medium-capacity six-wheelers, a low-weight eightlwheeler and the latest version of their two-spring bogie will be featured by Seddon Diesel Vehicles, Ltd., and the only battery-electric vehicles at the Show will be displayed by Smith's, including the prototype of their new 1.5-ton Transitruck, which incorporates transistorized control equipment.

An example of the new Thames Trader normal-control six-cylinder range is to be displayed by the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., together with several examples of their recently introduced Mk. II forward-control Traders and a 2-ton delivery van with easy-access driving-compartment layout. Thornycroft will have the largest vehicle at the Show, an Antar 6 x 4 and the Triumph Motor Co. (1945), Ltd., are making tf eir first appearance at the Commercial Motor Show, and will be represented by two of their stylish Courier 5-cwt. vans, whilst Universal Power Drives, Ltd., will have a two-speed double-drive bogie of new design.

It will be seen, therefore, from this brief summary of the new vehicle-design features which are scheduled to appear at Earls Court next Friday, that this Show will mark a big step forward in the British industry. and as such it is likely to be remembered for many years to come. The general themes running through the Show will be the provision of better working conditions for drivers—both delivery and long-distance—reduced chassis weight in the case of the heavier classes of vehicle, and simplification and reduction of essential maintenance procedures.

In the pages that follow a brief rdsum of the types of vehicle that are to be exhibited at the Show, classified in terms of size, is given. It must be pointed out, however, that this cannot be a complete list because, as already mentioned, several manufacturers are delaying the announcement of their new models until the opening day of the Show.

GOODS

-rrHERE will he a fair selection of 1 vehicles in the 5to 15-cwt. category this year, including the 10-cwt. Morris models which were announced last week and which are available in van and pickup forms. Recently introduced models will include the French Renault Estafette 15-cwt. design and the Triumph Courier 5-cwt. model, whilst modified versions of vehicles previously exhibited at Earls Court will include the Austin 5and 10cwt. vans, the Standard 7-cwt. van and pick-up, which now have larger engines, and Volkswagen 15-cwt. models with revised cab-interior layout.

Austin exhibits will include a 5-cwt. Minivan, the latest 5and 10-cwt. vans and a diesel-engined J4 10-12-cwt. van. The Minivan is a well-known product, having found favour with both commercial operators and private owners, whilst the A35 is essentially as before, differing only in respect of exterior body finish and the adoption of flashing direction indicators as standard. The J4 exhibit is powered by the B.M.C. light diesel engine which was introduced last year and which is based on the B-series petrol engines.

Petrol and Diesel The two Bedford van exhibits are both CAs, one being a short-wheelbase petrolengined 10/12-cwt, model and the other a long-wheelbase diesel-engined 15-cwt. example. The basic CA van has been in production for over 10 years now, but seems to be as popular as ever. The Rootes Group is represented in this category by a Commer Cob 7-cwt. van and a Commer 15-cwt. forward-control van which, like the diesel-engined Bedford van, has a Perkins 4.99 power writ.

Morris Motors, Ltd., are to show van and pick-up versions of their Minor and Mini-Minor cars, all four being rated for a payload of 5-cwt., and the new 10-cwt. model in van and pick-up forms, which were announced last week. Also bearing the Morris name, but made by Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., will be a 14 10/12-cwt.

Three examples of the new Renault Estafette 15-cwt. goods vehicle will be on display, this design having the same basic layout as the original lighter model, but being powered by a new 1:108-litre fourcylinder petrol engine with five-bearing crankshaft and sealed cooling system. Also on the Renault stand will be two Fourgon 6-cwt. vans, these being based on the Renault R4 private car and having an exceptional rough-road performance. The Standard Motor Co., Ltd., are to exhibit van and pick-up versions of their latest 7-cwt. model, this being a much-improved .version of the original design powered by a larger petrol engine giving 40.5 b.h.p.

Four Thames There will be four Thames exhibits in this class, these consisting of 5and 7-cwt. vans, as based on the current Anglia private car, a petrol-engined 15cwt. in chassis-cab form, and a similarly powered 15-cwt. van with side-loading door. The • 7-cwt. van will be 'shown fitted with the full range of Ford accessories.

One of the smartest small delivery vans produced in Britain. is the Triumph Courier, based on the Herald car, and there will be two examples of this model on the Triumph stand. The Courier is a particularly pleasant machine to handle, another asset being its remarkably small turning circle of 25 ft. Four Volkswagen goods vehicles are scheduled to appear, two of these being vans (one with a high top roof), one a pick-up, and one a ServIce van, which costs £1,550 and can dispense soft and hard ice cream. Two models which have yet to be announced fall into the l-ton to 1.5-ton

category, these being a .1-ton version of. an existing Vehicle and a 25/35-Cwt.-van laid out to give optimum local-delivery

• conditions. Austins are represented in this class by two 1.5-ton diesel-erigined vehicles, one being a forward-control van and the other being a drop-side lorry with the FIG corner-door cab.

A Commer Walk-I-fru 1.5-ton petrolengined vanis to make Its first appearance in Earls Court, the example to be displayed having a modified version of the standard 350-cu.-ft. body. . The layout of the Walk-Thru has much to commend it for local-delivery operations as it considerably eases the task of the driver in making access, to the driving seat a simple matter from either side of the vehicle. or from inside the body.

Karrier 1-tonner

A Karrier 1-ton chassis will be shown on the adjacent stand to the Commer Walk-Thru, and this will have a "Mr. Whippy" soft ice-cream mobile shop body built by, M.T.S. (Coachbuilder.$),Ltd., and 56-b.li.p. petrol engine. MorrisCommercial are to exhibit a 1.5-ton forward-control van of the type which has remained unchanged in design for a number of -years but which has retained its popularity nevertheless.

Smith's Electric Vehicles, Ltd., are to exhibit the prototype of their new 1.5-ton Transitruck battery-electric dairy vehicle, a feature of which is the fully transistorizedSevcontroller control equipment, whilst' a smaller model from the same range will be the 25-cwt, Dairy Truck which has a conventional control system. Both these models have the latest Smith's•bodywork, with all-plastics cab and sliding doors. In addition, Smith's are to

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show a 1-ton bakery van and a mobile butchery shop, whilst a fifth exhibit Will be the Commuter battery-electric, which has stand/sit drive.

Only four stands will feature 2-ton vehicles, the most recently introduced being the Leyland 2-tonner. This is an entirely new venture for a manufacturer

who has previously concerned himself only with heavy goods and passenger vehicles, but the vehicle should be well received, as its set-back engine position gives good cab accessibility without resulting in excessive overall vehicle length. A Standard 54-b.h.p. diesel . engine provides the power, driving through a Jour-speed synchromesh gear' box.

Commer will be showing a 2-ton version of their Walk-Thru van, this being powered by a Perkins 4,203 diesel engine and having a Smith's Coldvendor refrigerated body, whilst Karrier will have three Bantam 2-tonners on show; one petrol-engitied mobile shop, one petrolenginect soft'cliiiiks lorry, and one dieselengined shott-wheelbase model built for Westminster Municipal .Borough Council.

The remaining vehicle in this category will be a special conversion Of a Thames Trader normal-control 2-ton chassis with delivery-van bodywork. This, like other 'vehicles of its type at the ShOw, has a clear-access cab layout intended to simplify the task of delivery-vehicle drivers and so increase overall operating efficiency.

Going up the payload scale, we come to 3-ton vehicles. Here the most interesting newcomer is the Scammell ScarabFour four-wheeled tractive unit, which is intended for use with 3/4-ton semi-trailers and has a Standard delivery-van front end, Standard diesel engine mounted behind the cab, dual-rate rear suspension and conventional Scammell automatic coupling gear. This model does not replace the Scarab three-wheeled 3-tonner, but is intended to augment the original range by providing greater driving comfort, improved stability, braking and generally enhanced road performance.

One Austin 3-ton model will be shown, this being a WE K60 normal-control petrol-engined vehicle with flat-platform body, whilst the competitive Bedford version will be shown on the Vauxhall stand, this being a TI with drop-side bodywork. The Dennis Heron forwardcontrol 3-tonner will be exhibited with a special van body, the chassis having I6-in.-diameter wheels and 63-b.h.p. diesel engine. The 3-tonners are completed by a Morris normal-control model similar to that being displayed on the Austin stand.

Austin. Bedford and Karrier 4-tonners are to be displayed. The Austin exhibit will have the FO cab and 3.8-litre diesel engine, this being a slightly enlarged version of the original 3.4-litre unit offering greater reserve's of power for arduous conditions. A TK forward-control 4-ton drop-sider will be shown by Vauxhall's, this also having a diesel engine but differing markedly from the Austin model in having entrance steps ahead of the front wheels rather than behind them. The remaining 4-tonner will be a Karrier Gamecock, this also having an easyaccess cab layout, but in this case with left-hand drive as the vehicle is intended for operation in Amsterdam. The Gamecock has a 9I-b.h.p. petrol engine, although a diesel option is available.

Not so very long ago, one of the most popular classes at the Earls Court Shows was the 5-tonner. but this year only two manufacturers show vehicles in this category, suggesting that British operators are turning away from the 5-ton chassis in favour of the'7-tonner. The only two 5-ton chassis on display are both B.M.C. products. being Austin and Morris FGcabbed low-loaders. This model was introduced at the Scottish Motor Show last year, but did not go into immediate production, and it combines the good accessibility of the FG cab with the power of the B.M.C. 5.1-litre six-cylinder diesel engine, the frontal styling of the cab having been modified to accom

modate this unit, The use of 17-in.diameter wheels results in the low frame height so desirable these days for urban operation.

Commer, Dennis and Scammell are to display 6-ton models this year. There are two Commer 6-tonners, one being a forward-control model and the other a left-hand-drive Superpoise normal-control

vehicle built for Turkey. Both these chassis have Perkins 6.354 diesel engines, that in the Superpoise being mounted vertically, whilst that in the forwardcontrol machine being mounted almost horizontally, under the cab seats.. The Dennis 6-tonner is a Pax IV forwardcontrol pantechnicon, this also having a Perkins 6.354 diesel engine, whilst the remaining model in this category is a Scammell Scarab three-wheeled tractive unit, the showing of this on the same stand as -the Scarab Four 3/4-ton fourwheeled model providing a good opportunity to compare the layouts of these two designs.

One of the largest classes at the Show is the 7and 7.5-tonners, and Albion Motors, Ltd., are showing one of the newest of these, the Chieftain Super Six forward-control model which has the Leyland 0.370 six-cylinder diesel engine giving some 12 b.h.p. more than the Albion four-cylinder unit of the standard Chieftain model. The Super Six' has more powerful brakes also, these being of the air-hydraulic type.

Austin are to show two 7-ton models, one a short-wheelbase chassis with Edbro tipping body, and the other a long-wheelbase drop-side lorry with 5.7-litre diesel engine and five-speed gearbox, features which should combine to make this a lively and powerful machine. There will be two Bedford exhibits in this category, a normal-control 7-ton tipper and a TK forward-control 7.5-tonner, also with tipping body. These two vehicles differ principally in their basic layout, the mechanical units being very similar.

The latest Rootes CA forward-entry cab will be seen on the Commer 7.5-ton tipper exhibit, features of this cab when compared with the earlier design (as fitted to the 6-ton forward-control exhibit) being its greater interior room and its more modern appearance. Dodge also show a tipper, this being a 7-ton model, whilst a long-wheelbase 7-tonner will be on the Mercedes-Benz stand, this having a special, body intended for carrying long steel rods.

As on the Austin stand, there will be 44 two Morris 7-ton models, one having platform bodywork and the other—a tipper—being equipped with the 5.7-litre diesel engine and five-speed gearbox. Ford will feature three forward-control Traders and a 7-ton example of the new normal-control six-cylinder Trader. The centrepiece of the Ford stand will be a 7.5-ton 11-ft. 6-in.-wheelbase forwardcontrol tipper, with Anthony light-alloy dumper body, whilst another tipper will be based on a 9-ft.-wheelbase 7-ton chassis, this to have Edbro bodywork. A long-wheelbase drop-sider on a Trader 7.5-ton chassis will be shown, whilst the normal-control exhibit will have left-hand drive and a wheelbase of 15 ft. 4 in.

A new 8-ton diesel chassis, which will have to remain on the secret list until next week, falls into the next category, that of 12-ton-gross chassis, Commer are to exhibit one of their new 8-tonners, with Rootes two-stroke diesel engine and 21-ft. platform body, whilst the new Dennis Fax V forward-control range will be represented by a left-hand-drive 12ton-gross machine, features of which are the new Dennis five-speed gearbox and restyled cab. The Pax V will be shown with a Perkins 6.354 diesel engine, but alternative engines are available throughout the new range. and models are to be made available with low-loader wheels and tyres.

Dodge will show an 8-tonner, complete with air-hydraulic braking and powerassisted steering, whilst there will be a Warrior four-wheeled van on the Guy stand, this being one of a number employed by Tate and Lyle, Ltd., and having a B.M.C. 5.1-litre diesel engine and special cab and van bodywork_ 12-ton-gross Models

The latest version of the Comet 12-tongross chassis will be displayed by Leyland Motors, Ltd., this having full air-pressure braking which tests by The Commercial Motor have shown to be

particularly effective. A 12-ton-gross four-wheeler with Perkins 6.354 diesel engine is shown by Seddon Diesel Vehicles, Ltd., this being a 12/4/354 model and representative of the lightest standard goods vehicle now made by this concern.

A 13-ton-gross tipper will be exhibited by Mercedes-Benz (Great gritain), Ltd., with light-alloy body designed for bulkcoal haulage and powered by a 5.1-litre diesel engine driving through a synchromesh, gearbox and two-speed axle.

E.R.F. and Foden will feature 14-tongross four-wheelers, the E.R.F. example having a Gardner 5LW 94-b.h.p. diesel engine, and Girling disc brakes at the front axle, whilst the Foden will be a tipper with Foden four-cylinder twostroke diesel engine.

Double-drive Seddon All but one of the exhibits in the 17ton-gross category are tractive units, the exception being one Of the new' Seddon double-drive six-wheelers with EatOn twospeed axles 'and Perkins 6.354 diesel engine. This vehicle features the Seddon two-spring bogie. The tractive units are Austin, Bedford, Dodge and Morris, providing typical British examples of vehicles intended for hauling 12-ton Toads. The Dodge will be " split " by a mirror to show two different couplings.

Albion, Dodge, Leyland and Seddon show 18-ton vehicles. There are two Albions, a Chieftain-Scammell tractive unit, with Albion four-cylinder diesel engine, and a Super Reiver double-drive rigid six-wheeler, with Leyland 125-b.h.p, diesel engine and air-pressure brakes. The Dodge model is a 6 x 4 with A.E.C. engine and the Leyland 18-tonner is the latest Super Beaver four-wheeler, a normal-control design with Power-Plus running units. The Seddon has a Leyland engine and is a four-wheeled tractive unit with Scammell automatic coupling gear.

Automatic coupling gear is also a feature of the A.E.C. Mercury tractive-. unit exhibit, this being fitted with Taskers

equipment, whilst another 20-ton-gross tractive unit is the Albion Clydesdale, although this has a fifth-wheel coupling and will be seen attached to a Scammell 12-ton integral van semi-trailer.

Yet. another 20-ton-gross tractive unit is the Dennis Pax V, the chassis specification of which is similar to the loadcarrying model on the same stand, and a rigid-six 20-ton machine will be shown by Fodens, Ltd. This will have the Foden four-cylinder engine and Goodyear Super Single low-profile tyres on the rear axles. Leyland will have a Super Comet 20-ton tractive unit with Scammell " matched " semi-trailer, whilst a single-drive sixwheeler is to be shown by Seddon's.

The current British trend, so far as 24-ton-gross vehicles are concerned, has been to reduce unladen weight, and there are many examples among the chassis in the Hall to bear this out, including the A.E.C. Mammoth Major rigid eightwheeler, the Atkinson Weightmaster (which will not be on the Atkinson stand), the Foden-Dyson articulated outfit, the Guy Warrior Light 8 which now is available with a Gardner 6LW engine, the latest Leyland Octopus, the new Scammell Routeman and the Seddon 24/DD8/6LX.

Some of these machines are well over a ton lighter than their predecessors, despite which some manufacturers have

managed to : retain such specification features as eight-wheel braking and power-assisted steering. One of the lightest rigid eight-wheelers in the Show will be the E.R.F. Rolls-Royce-petrolengined tanker being shown by Alf'd Miles, Ltd., which can carry 4,000 gal. of fuel oil, although competitive with this is a Mercedes-Benz articulated tanker, with A.P.V. frameless tank, which can carry 4,350 gal. of heating oil and which has a 10.8-litre diesel engine.

Heavy-duty tractive-units and tractors are featured by A.E.C., Ltd.; Atkinson Vehicles, Ltd., E.R.F., Ltd., Fodens, Ltd., and Transport Equipment (Thornycroft), Ltd. The A,E.C. is the Mogul fourwheeler. which can operate at a gross train weight of over 35 tons. Atkinson show a new 32-ton tractive unit built for Pickfords and powered by a Gardner 6LX diesel engine, this chassis having a semi-forward-control layout, whilst E.R.F. have developed a completely new 6 x 6 oilfieldstractive unit with full normal-control and Cummins 212-b.h.p. diesel engine.

The Foden heavy tractive unit has a Foden supercharged two-stroke diesel engine, giving 225 b.h.p. and 600 lb.-ft. torque, and Thornycroft feature the biggest vehicle in the Show—a Mighty Antar 6 x 4 which can operate at up to 150 tons gross and is powered by a 313b.h.p. Rolls-Royce supercharged diesel engine. Also on the Thornycroft stand will be a Big Ben 6 x 6 tractive unit designed for use at _60 tons gross and having a Thornycroft 230-bhp. turbocharged engine.

Several manufacturers will be showing pure cross-country designs, one of which has yet to be announced. Perhaps the Most unusual is the Alvis Stalwart 5-ton load carrier, which is a fully amphibious vehicle capable of propelling itself through water at 5 knots. Austin show the latest versions of the Gipsy 4 x 4, which is now available with leaf suspension, whilst Dodge will be featuring a 5-ton normal-control 4 x 4. The Rover Co., Ltd., will, of course, have their wellknown Land-Rover on display in various forms, whilst Scammell are to show a 6 x 6 Super Constructor oilfields vehicle.

Two Thornycroft Nubian models are to be displayed, one of which will be a 6 x 6 fire-crash tender, and theother a 4 x 4 chassis with A.E.C. 124-b.h.p. diesel engine. Two forestry vehicles will he exhibited by Universal Power Drives, Ltd.—a Hannibal model with Gardner five-cylinder engine and a Forester machine with Gardner 4LW. Both these designs are suitable for operation at 24 tons gross train weight.