.3oach comfort in Deansgate mini-tourer
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nOMFORT associated with the conventional passenger coach is featured in a ompact Deansgate touring coach just atroduced by the Williams Group, of Manhester. This is a 12-13 seater which is iased on the Ford Transit 118 in.-wheelbase hassis and shell and in particular it aims to :ater for small excursions and tours parties. 7or this reason the standard specification :overs a variety of what are usually regarded Ls optional extras.
The first unit of this design to be produced, L 12-seater, has already been purchased by 3ride of Hutton Coaches, Preston, Lanes, )ut it will be available for inspection for a week starting next Sunday (August 21) at Williams Motor Co. (Sales) Ltd., 10 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester 3.
In the course of a short demonstration run, writes Ashley Taylor, the performance was slow and the suspension showed up as comfortable but stable even when inferior road surfaces were encountered; and there was an absence of fore-and-aft motion. All seats provide satisfactory leg room for a sixfooter, whilst the gangway is more than adequate. Seating consists of three singles on the offside, a single and two doubles on the nearside and a four across the back, underneath which is a boot of more than 16 sq. ft. capacity. Access to the boot is by a lift-up lid. Full-size moquette seats are fitted with headrolls and take full advantage of the spacious body, room between the seats being greater than on larger coaches of some modern designs. Seat cushions, which are secured by rubber containers, are easily removable. The standard Ford driver's seat has a loose cover of matching moquette.
Ease of interior cleaning has been given much thought, the saloon below the waist rail being lined with a scratch-resistant walnut grain material. Window surrounds are of Stelvetite plastic-faced steel sheet. The roof interior is lined with p.v.c. covered board. Lighting of the saloon is by three fluorescent tubes. A twin speaker Motorola push-button radio is fitted as standard and a
Standard specification includes two-tone painting, body underseal, chromium-plated front and rear bumpers, ashtrays to all seats, specially designed, stainless-steel, Styla wheel embellishers, quartz iodine fog or spot lamp, reversing light, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher.
The Deansgate has been designed to comply with all present and proposed Ministry of Transport regulations covering the operation and design of public service vehicles.