Four-seater or 5-cwt. Van
Page 49
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ONE of the surprises of the Paris Motor Show (reported on pages 384-388) was the introduction of the Hillman Husky dual-purpose vehicle, which will sell in Britain for £398, plus 1.116 19s. 2d. purchase tax. As a private car it seats four adults and accommodates 250 lb. of luggage.
To convert the interior for carrying goods the rear-seat cushion is moved forward and takes up a position close behind the front scats, whilst the back
rest folds down into the floor. This leaves a clear platform for goods weighing up to 5 cwt. The spare wheel is carried under the floor. There is a fullwidth hinged door at the rear.
Provision is made for hauling a trailer.
Fuel economy is coupled •withthe low price, 40 m.p.g.. being claimed. Maximum speed is said to be 65 m.p.h.
The Hillman Husky is powered by a four-cyliadered petrol engine developing 35 b.h.p. at 4,100 r.p.m. A Borg and Beck clutch takes the drive to a four-speed gearbox with control-ring synchromesh mechanism on top, third and second ratios. A c'entral gear lever is adopted. Spiral-bevel gears are used in the semi-floating rear axle, the ratio being 4.7 to 1.
Armstrong hydraulic double-acting shock absorbers are fitted at the front and rear, with independent suspension of the front.wheels by coil springs.
The chassis and body are built as a unit.
Lockheed two-leading-shoe hydraulic brakes work in cast-iron drums of 8-in. diameter. In the 12v. electrical system the equipment follows that of a private car in respect of double-dip head lamps, built-in twin stop-tail lamps, twin-blade windscreen wipers and so on.
A representative of The Commercial Motor, during a run in the Husky, obtained the following figures for acceleration:--0-30 m.p.h. through the gears, 12-sec.; 10-20 m.p.h. in top, 5 sec. and 10-30 m.p.h. in top, 9 sec.