Special Bodies tha Mean Automatic Publicity
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THERE would be difficulty in finding a more effective way of making a vehicle attract attention than to design it so that the whole of the bodywork, or a prominent part of it, is a representation of the product sold, or is closely associated with it.
Goods which are sold in cartons, tins and other packages lend themselves readily to this method of adaptation, especially if such containers be of rectangular shape. Everything is made true to scale, so far as possible, but certain minor differences may be inevitable, such as increased width, or retention of a curved roof. Commodities which may be presented in this way include breakfast foods, confectionery, tea, wrapped cheese, cigarettes, bar and flaked soap.
Repetition of the Scheme a Good Idea,
The paper package, cardboard container, or tin, having been copied, further emphasis may be given by repetition. For example, a tea merchant may call attention to his wares by a van in which the loading portion consists of a pair of canisters, whilst a third canister may be used for the driver's cab. The two canisters may be butted together or separated by a strip of panelling, which, if painted a suitable colour, makes an effective background for the colour display of the other part of the body.
Instead of enlarging the actual package, the tea merchant may prefer to call attention to his product by means of an outsize in teapots. Keeping in view the loading capacity and the practical convenience of the special bodywork, a shape of teapot will . have to be devised which approaches the rectangular rather than anything bowl-shaped.
1324 The spout and handle are two items which may entail some loss of loading capacity. Moreover, the handle, being centrally placed at the rear, is a possible obstruction if back doors be required.
To get over this difficulty, one door may be made wider than the other and the handle be attached to the wider door. Also, the handle may be hinged, so that it can lie flat against the door. A folding handle will be an advantage as a means for economizing space and preventing damage in the garage. On the other hand, back doors may be dispensed with, the van being a side-loader with slitiing doors.
The teapot van is also a suitable method of publicity for the tearoom proprietor and refreshment caterer.
Round containers, such as beer and wine bottles and tins of various foodstuffs, collapsible tubes of toothpastes, etc., and vacuum flasks may be adapted for representation. In such cases the cab may form part of the "model," Bodywork which is circular in section is apt to be somewhat wasteful
the projecting portion made up on an additional piece of panelling.
Round containers and bottles may also be dealt with by mounting largescale models in an upright position. Only the shape of a vertical halfsection is necessary between the bottom of the body and roof, above which the remainder of the bottle is its full shape.
The simplest way of using a scale model of a product is to mount it on
the roof of the van. This method has the widest possible scope, because it includes the treatment of articles the shape of which it would be difficult to adapt to a body with a reasonable loading capacity. Although the model is small, compared with one formed by a special body, it is in a most prominent position, and there is the advantage that the model may be changed as the season indicates, or when new lines are forthcoming. Closely allied to the roof model is the showcase van, which displays the product within the limits of the body.. The display often consists of dummies which may be of normal, or enlarged, size.
A body of this kind, suitable for a jeweller or dealer in fancy goods might have a large clock and calendar occupying the greater part of the side of the body, the calendar being designed on lines similar to those of a destination indicator_ So far as is known, an enlarged and movable calendar has not vet been used in this way, although clocks of various sizes may be seen on the side panels of a few vans.
A Novel Suggestion for a Soupessence Van.
Packet soups and specialities for making gravies may be proclaimed by means of a tureen body. This body would have rounded corners of a roof with a pronounced dome, whilst side-sweep and turn-under would give it much the semblance of a tureen. The end handles could be modified so as to form an arch over the hack doors or roller shutter. The handle of the ladle could project conveniently over the roof of the cab, the latter being, perhaps, designed to harnaorlize with the outlines of the loading portion.
Almost endless scope for bodybuilders and designers is afforded by this field of their activities, and in many cases considerable ingenuity is called for in respect of the constructional details of the models.
Not only are they subject to a certain amount of distortion resulting from frame elasticity, but also stresses are imposed upon them by the weight, inertia anil momentum of the loads they contain_