Austins on Canadian Mountain Roads

1st May 1953, Page 102

1st May 1953

Page 102

Page 102, 1st May 1953 — Austins on Canadian Mountain Roads

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FURNITURE removal work embracing long-distance haulage on the mountain highways of British Columbia, is daily routine for Messrs. Reid's Storage, of Power Street, Vancouver, B.C. Included in their fleet of 15 vehicles are two Austins. one with a gross laden weight of 13,500 lb. and the other of 18.500 lb.

During the first three years of operation the smaller model covered over 35,000 miles and has never been off the

road for other than normal maintenance. The average payload carried is 4 tons and fuel consumption has, The Commercial Motor is informed, been at the rate of 14 m.p.g.

This economical. figure has been obtained on the formidable Cascades route to Kooteney country, with its severe gradients arid numerous curves which have to be taken with due respect for a sheer drop on one side to canyons hundreds of feet deep. The

driver of this unit is Mr. Tames Reid, father of the president and managing director of the company. He is 71.

The second Austin was equally satisfactory. Before Mr. Reid recently traded it for a similar model with a highspeed engine, it had covered over 120,000 miles in three years. When purchased, the operator extended the chassis to give a wheelbase of 17 ft. With the 20 ft. van body which was fitted, the unladen weight was 9,500 lb.

The vehicle carried an average payload of 6 tons and, it is claimed, was not overloaded. It was used exclusively on long-distance haulage and was engaged more extensively on the mountainous routes than was the other Austin. In this 'ease fuel consumption was at the rate of 11 m.p.g.