New Furniture Vans for a Big Store
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THAT well-known Liverpool departmental store Lewis's, Ltd., which operates a number of Guy vehicles, has recently added to its feet of this make by the purchase of a capacious 31-ton furniture van and three Wolf 2-tonners, the latter being intended chiefly for the express delivery of furniture between the company's various branches.
The body of each of the Wolf vans is 12 ft. long, 6 ft. 6 ins, wide, and 6 ft. 9 ius, high, and there is an extension over the driver's cab, the total capacity being 578 cubic ft. The body panelling is carried out in Plymax, awl there is a 3-ft. 6-in, tailboard carried on chains, so that, if necessary, extra pieces of furniture can be accommodated when it is lowered. The double doors fitted above the tailboard are arranged to fold back against the sides, so that there is no obstruction when loading and unloading. Rubber buffers are fitted to prevent the doors from damaging the sides, whilst there are buffers on the tailboard to ensure that it is not damaged by the loading platform. The sliding partition behind the
driver's cab gives access to the interior, which is equipped with slats to protect the panelling. , In view of the stress which Col. A. Jerrett, of Lewis's, Ltd., recently laid on the wheel-arch problem, when speaking on the occasion of a conference held during the recent Commercial Motor Show at Olympia it is interesting to note that the type of body chosen is designed to provide an entirely level floor throughout, no wheel-arches being fitted, whilst to give a pleasing external appearance the sides are can-led down to the level of the chassis-frame members.
The 34-ton van incorporates the Guy 17-ft. 8-in, wheelbase chassis, which is equipped with a four-eylindered engine. having a bore of 4i ins, and a stroke of 5i ins., and developing 66 b.h.p. The interior dimensions of the -Luton-type body are :-21 ft. long, 7 ft. wide, and 8 ft. high, and there is an extension over the driver's cab which is 4 ft. 6 ins. long, 7 ft. wide, and 2 ft. 6 ins, high, so that a total capacity of 1,255 cubic ft. is available. In this case, too, the rear is enclosed by a tailboard and two doors.
The vehicle is of the forward-control type, and the driver's compartment is of the full-width pattern, so that there is accommodation for a mate alongside the driver. Semi-bucket-type seats are provided to ensure a good measure of
comfort when the vehicle is used on long journeys. The van is intended primarily for furniture removals, although, when required, it will be used for transporting furniture between the company's various depots. For night work three lights are fitted in the interior.
Lewis's, Ltd., has made provision for obtaining publicity at night by means of festoon-type lamps fitted at the top of the rear doors and shaded in such a manner as to throw the light on to the lettering below.