New Features in Cornmer 8-cwt. Supervan
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Increased Body Capacity and Improved Engine Components Offered on This Post-war Commer Product
AMONGST the most Popular makes of light delivery vehicle in pre-war days was the Commer 8-cwt. Supervan, and, whilst deliveries to civilian •operators have been on a greatly reduced Scale during the European war. production is now, we understand, considerably stepped up.
The maker announces several improved features, amongst which may be mentioned increaSed. Liody capacity, a redesigned chassis. of greater strength, yet lighter weight, and an engine having a redesigned cylinder head and a new-type exhaust manifold.
The new body provides, for an increase of 20 cubic ft. capacity—from 90 to .110 cubic ft. There is 100 cubic ft. available, taken from behind the driver's seat; the approximate inside dimensions of the body are: 5 ft, 10 ins. by 4 ft. 9 ins. by 8 ft. 9 ins.
To facilitate ease of entry from the near side, the standard model is supplied with only an adjustable driver's seat, hut a seat for a passenger can be included at extra cost. Entry to the body is ''.iained through the lockable full-width cciors, which, as will be seen from an accompanying illustration, serve also to enclose the spare wheel and tools locker.
Ample power is provided -by a four-cylindered engine having a bore ot 03 •mm. and a stroke of 95 mm., dimensions which give a total capacity of 1,184,5 c.c. The R.A.C. rating is 9.8 b.p..; the unit developing 30 b.h.p. at 4,100 r.p.m, It has side valves and the camshaft, having harmonic cams, is mounted on three .bearings, which give it ample support. The big-end bearings are of the steel-backe4 type, and the unit is lubricated on the forced-feed principle.
In connection with carburation, a Solex down-draught instrument is fitted, and, to ensure more complete vappriza-. tion, an exhaust-heated hotspctis incorporated in the system. Fuel is lifted by an A.C. mechanical 'pump from a 7i-gallon tank, which is carried at the rear. Ignitidn is by coil and the plugs used are 14 men.
The drive to the gearbox is through a.clutch of the dry. plate type, in which means for carrying out external adjuStmerit for facing wear is provided.The four-forward. speed and reverse gearbox, havin,, synchromesh gears, is, of course, unit-mounted with the engine, the whole being suspended in the frame by a " cushioned power " system which reduces the transmission of vibration to a minimum. : A Hardy-Spicer shaft, with needle-roller joints, conveys the drive to a semi-floating-type rear axle having spiralbevel reduction .gears. The axle casing is a stout steel pressing, from which the gears and differential assembly can be removed as a unit.
Braking is carried out by Bendix duo -Servo equipment operation being -direct by cables housed in flexible armour casings. The hand, brake, incidentally, ..takes effect Qrt all four wheels, as, of course, does the pedal control, . The pressed-steel panel-type 'wheels are equipped. with 5.25-in. by 16,in, low-pressure tyres, and a spare wheel. is 'provided. In conjunction with the semi-elliptic springs, Luvak piston-type shock absorbers are embodied, and as the :springs are of generous length, the suspension of L e Commer Supervan has been well looked after,
' So far as the frame construction is concerned, this incorporates side members of complete box-Section design, tied by means.of five box-sectioned cross-members; This structure is still further strengthened by a sheet-metal platform, which farms the floor of the driver's cab and extends beneath the body floor to the rear of the chassis, Here it is suitably shaped to house the spare wheel,
A five-lamp 12-volt lighting set, with off-side headlight switch on the steering wheel, forms the standard equipment, the dynamo having constairt-vc;Itage control.
It may be mentioned. that the bonnet is a single-piece struCture hinged to the scuttle, so that, when raised and held by its support arm, the .engine and other components become far more accessible than in the case of a two or three-piece construction.
The maker of this vehicle is Cominer Cars, Ltd., Luton.