Britain to Show the World's Best at Earls Court
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THEgreates: Commercial Motor Show ever to be held, comprising the latest products of over 400 manufacturers. will be opened at Earls Court at noon on September 22 by the Minister of Transport. Mr. Alfred Barnes.
Up to 20.000 Overseas visitors from more than 55 different countries May be expected at this year's Show, which forms a landmark in the progress of British commercial vehicle design. Total attendance is likely to exceed that of the 1948 Show, which attracted 145.000 people, states the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Britain is now the world's largest exporter of commercial vehicles, and. although the emphasis on export at this year's Show is even stronger than in 1948. the appeal to the home buyer is marked.
Nearly 30 new chassis will he shown for the first time. In many of the latest passenger vehicles, the engine has been placed under the floor as exemplified in models by A.E.C., Atkinson. Crossley. Dennis. Guy, Leyland, Maudslay and Sentinel. This new arrangement allows the full length of the chassis to be utilized for seating.
Foden has placed the engine at the rear, insulating the saloon from noise. heat and fumes, and offering greater accessibility. Sunbeam has mounted the traction motor of its new trolleybus behind the rear axle, providing improved balance. whilst Tilling-Stevens has produced a maximum-capacity oil-engined single-decker of extremely low weight.
In the field of goods-vehicle design. dead weight has been reduced, cab comfort improved, and power increased. The new Bedford 7-tonners are the first weighing less than 3 tons unladen. Oil engine economy is brought into the lighter-vehicle range with models by Seddon and Thornycroft.
Manufacturers of battery-electrics have produced vehicles of lighter weight and longer range. The new Helecs 25cwt.. Electrojan 15-cwt. and Tilling Stevens 5-ton machines are among those that provide these advantages.
Britain also upholds its tradition in the production of quality specialized machines in the Thornycroft Mighty Antar tractor, the Scammell six-wheeldrive and Unipower four-wheel-drive vehicles.
The Show closes on the evening of September 30. and will be closed for Sunday. September 24. Prices of public admission are: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. 2s. 6d.; 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Is. All the usual facilities will be available. Some bodywork exhibits may be seen in the demonstration park adjoining the main building. because of pressure on internal space.