NEWCOMER TO THE LIGHT-VAN MARKET.
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Particulars of a New Clyno 8-cwt. Van with Four-wheel Brakes and Low-pressure Tyres.
THERE is an enormous field for enterprising manufacturers in connection with transport by light van. Vehicles designed for such work should possess outstanding qualifications in respect of low first cost, economical running and easy maintenance. Vans without such qualities may enjoy a sporadic success, but will not for long be popular amongst buyers such as are represented by the butcher, baker, grocer, fruiterer and florist.
In this connection it is of interest to note that the Clyno Engineering Co. (1922), Ltd., Wolverhampton, has just placed on the market a well-equipped and neat utility vehicle with a largecapacity body to carry 8 cwt, of goods, at the price of £172 10s., which, considering the quality of Clyno chassis and the fact that the van is exceedingly well equipped with four-wheel brakes, five-lamp 12-volt Lucas lighting set and starter, and numerous other accessories (some of which will be referred to in the body of this article), is by no means excessive.
The power unit is a four-cylindered monobloc with large side-by-side valves, a detachable head and a massive, wellbalanced crankshaft of high-tensile steel. The R.A.C. rating is 10.8 h.p., the bore and stroke being 66 mm. and 100 mm. respectively. The power actually developed, however, is 16 b.h.p. at 1,500 r.P.m..and 25 b.h.p. at 2,950 r.p.m.
Lubrication is by submerged plunger pump operated direct from the crankshaft, oil being forced to the timing wheels, main bearings and to troughs under the big-ends. In the sump is a large oil filter, and a second filter is provided in the oil filler, which forms a part of the cylinder block. Incidentally, the cylinders are cast in one with the upper part of the crankcase. An oillevel gauge is conveniently situated. Ignition is by Lucas H.T. magneto, and the carburetter is a Cox Atmos. Starting is effected by a Lucas outfit, the Bendix pinion of which meshes with teeth cut on a ring mounted on the open flywheel. Ferodo is employed for facing the internal cone clutch, which is of large diameter, gives smooth engagement and is considered not to require any adjustment, The arrangement of the gearbox is unusual, so far as a chassis for the transport of goods is concerned. It is of most modern design, being mounted at the forward end of the torque tube and anchored to the centre crossmember of the chassis by a patent housing which automatically takes up wear. Three speeds forward and a reverse are provided, the gear ratios being 5 to 1, 9.35 to 1 and 17.2 to 1.
The propeller shaft is, of course, enclosed in the torque tube, and the final drive is by spiral bevels. A drive for the speedometer is taken direct from the propeller shaft through suitable gearing.
It must not be thought that the 'chassis used for this van is merely that employed on the Clyno private car. It is new in many respects, the frame, for instance, being much wider and constructed of substantial channel-section side-members braced by tubular crossmembers bolted into position.
The chassis has a track of'd ft. 8 ins., and this allows ample room for a commodious body into which the wheel arches obtrude but tittle. With thia wide track it should also possess good road-holding abilities.
Semi-elliptic springs are employed for the front axle and single cantilever for that at the rear. The ends of the rear springs are carried on hardened steel rollers mounted in housings on the backaxle casing.
The four-wheel brakes are of Glynn design. They have internalex p ending shoes faced with )l'erodo of ample width and working in detachable brake drums 12 ins, in diameter. These and the rear brakes are operated by compensated and interconnected controls. To avoid risk of fracture the rods arc made, of high-tensile steel.
A worm-and-nut gear in an oil-tight box is used for steering. Exceptional care has been taken in this connection, because with front-wheel brakes and lowpressure tyres the steering is sometimes adversely affected, but it is claimed that in the new van the steering is exceedingly light in operation.
To take the stresses due to the frontwheel braking, the ends of the front axle are of oval seetien, whilst the portion between the spring pads is of 0section.
To provide effective cooling the radiator is larger than that fitted to Clyno private cars, and it has a nickel case. Pressed-steel spoked wheels are used and these should be particularly easy to keep clean—an important point where vans are concerned. They are equipped with Dunlop 27-in. by 4.4-in, reinforced low-pressure tyres.
Accommodation for 5 gallons of fuel is provided in the scuttle, the filler cap being situated under the bonnet. The feed is by gravity.
Well-seasoned ash is employed for tha framework of the body, which is panelled in steel and has a wood instrument board carrying the petrol gauge, switches and ammeter and speedometer at the right of the steering column, where is also situated the pressbutton for the electric warning device.
Ample protection is afforded the driver by a two-piece windscreen with an adjustable upper portion and side curtains, which can easily be fitted, that
on the door being arranged to open with' it. These curtains, however, are an extra, costing £2 102., but they certainly do much to assist in affording that extra comfort for the driver which should be much appreciated.
Oval lights are provided at the sides of the driver's compartment and in the double doors at the rear. To give in good appearance, the roof is nicely carved in both directions and has a projecting water moulding around its edge. We noticed that there was also water moulding above the doors. The roof is close-boarded and there are small ventilators over the rear doors, although there should be no absence of fresh air as there is no partition between the driver's seat and the rest of the body interior.
The seats are kept low, but sufficient room is provided under them for two footlockers. There is a 2-in. well under the scuttle dash for the feet, which adds to the comfort when driving. Rubber matting and aluminium edging are fitted to the running boards, and clips for a Wakefield grease-pin and a tin of Castrol oil are fitted on the dash within the bonnet.
Both the change-speed lever and the hand-brake lever are situated at the right of the driver. All the pedals are adjustable.
A spare wheel and tyre are mounted immediately forward of the driver's door. For driving in wet weather a handoperated screen wiper is included,