A WELL.EQUIPPED MOTOR CARAVAN.
Page 20
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
(IF LATE years use has been found • for certain types of . commercial vehicle chassis fitted with caravan bodies, and our readers may call to mind that we recently described a vehicle which, on acconnt of its ornate and decorative design and its interior embellishments, could fittingly be described as a miniature " house on wheels."
A company which has had considerable experience in the design and construction of up-to-date high-class motor caravans is Cleverdon and Son, East Street and Regent Street., Bedminster, Bristol. This company has in the past built caravan bodies ftractor-drawn) up to 32 ft. in length and consisting of three rcoms, and we illustrate on this page a typical vehicle which left its works a short time ago.
The body, which is fitted on. a 30-35 h.p. Halley chassis, is double-cased with, an air space between the outer and inner panels, and holes are bored through the framework at various points to allow the air to circulate into the interior of the vehicle.
The whole of the interior, which is panelled And moulded, is, of polished mahogany, very similar to the style used on a pre-war Midland Railway coach. The fittings consist of three tip-up beds to accommodate five persons, and these beds, when folded out of the way, occupy only 16 ins, of space. A plated range is fitted into a fireplace, which is asbestob lined and cased with tiled enamel plates with a mahogany chimney-piece. At, eves-mantel with oval mirrors is fitted, and "below it is a cupboard arranged for the accommodation of cooking utensils. The ceiling is double-cased and hand. painted in cream.
Other interior equipment includes two locker seats with padded cushions, a mahogany wardrobe, a cupboard with 020 sliding doors, which extends the full width of the van and is fitted under the bed board, and two small cupboards at each end of the body, which are fitted into the ends of the roof. A food and utensil box is provided below the•boily, and a luggage rack, held up by chains "from the roof, is fitted at the back.
The entrance to the interior is by way of a door, which is made in two parts, on the near side: A movable step is fitted to this door as well as a fixed iron step.
The windows, which are of the rail way type, are glazed with plate-glass, and spring roller blinds are embodied. Drop windows are provided at each end of the van to allow for.exit in emergency. The driver's cab extends the full width of the body, and his seat, which is wellpadded, may be used for sleeping pur
poses during hot weather. Four iron carriers are suspended from -the chassis, ad that tent poles and similar lengthy. equipment can conveniently be carried. The clerestory roof of the caravan has eight fanlights, which are all made to open. The caravan presents a very handsome appearance, the finish being inscarlet, lined out with gold, which gives it an impressive and elegant appearance. The various joints in the body are liberally covered with white lead and every panel is eanvased, this being essential in order to protect the timber from the effectsof inclement weather.