Another Blow at Chassis Production
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AMONGST the requirements of the Motor Vehicles the and Use) Regulations which have been issued in draft form (but which, of course, are -not yet legal) is a proviso that the overhang of a fourwheeled vehicle must not exceed 50 per cent, of the wheelbase, although this does not apply to vehicles registered before August 15, 1928, or to those registered before January 1, 1938, if the overhang does not exceed seven-twenty-fourths of the overall length.
It is difficult to understand why the change should be considered necessary. Actually, in most cases, it amounts to only a few inches, and to the average person this might appear to be insignificant, but to the designer and manufacturer it may be of vital importance. We know of some works where about 50 per cent. of the output will have to be redesigned if this regulation be brought into force, and to anyone who knows something of the difficulties of altering the dimensions of even a single type of chassis the drastic effect will be immediately apparent. , It would be possible, in some instances, to make the alteration merely by pushing forward the front axle, but this would, as a direct result, materially affect the turning circle, a point of much .value, particularly in those classes of vehicle which are required to work in congested areas, narrow thoroughfares and small yards.
We know that the railways are much perturbed over the matter, and for once there may be cooperation betweex them and the motor industry in fighting this unjiecessary and irritating proposal, as many of the t es of vehicle particularly suitable for railway goad work would become illegal.
The Ministry of Transport is putting itself forward as the dictator of design. We sympathize with it when the object is the promotion of safety, but here we have a case without apparent justification. There-has been a small concession covering municipal vehicles, but this is not sufficient, and a reversion should be made to the original figure of seven-twenty-fourths. Possibly the Ministry thinks that the nice round figure of 50 per cent. is easy to calculate, but that should have „ been thought of befilre many makers were committed to their designs.