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Lightweight choiet

332

Chrysler UK Ltd, PO Box 46 London Road, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry IN ADDITION to having three light vehicles on its own stand, Dodge also has examples on bodybuilders stands. The three it is showing itself are two versions of the TB Spacevan and a Dodge 1100 pick-up.

One of the Spacevans is a 2500 Bus in British Rail colours with a wheelbase of 229cm (90in) and a gvw of 2.47 tonnes (2.43 tons). This minibus has Chrysler's 1,725cc, fourcylinder petrol engine in standard low compression form, which has an output of 37.3kW (50 bhp) net at 4,500 rpm. Transmission is via a Chrysler four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox.

Second of the PBs is a 2000 with a third door: it too has a 229cm wheelbase but its gross weight is 2.27 tonnes (2.23 tons). Again a petrol engine is employed and payload capacity is 914kg (18cwt) within a 5.66cum(200cuft) area.

Finally, the well established Dodge 1100 is featured in pickup form. Grossing at 1.42 tonnes (1.4 tons) the pick-up has an 1,118cc (68.2cuin) transversely mounted engine • driving the front wheels via a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox.

All 1100 models for '79 have dual circuit brakes with front discs, radial ply tyres and alternator. The show pick-up has a grp canopy tilt by James Brown of Castle Douglas.

314

Ford Motor Co Ltd, Eagle Way, Warley, Brentwood, Essex SINCE the last Commercial Show Ford has introduced a new light vehicle and re-vamped its existing models.

The new vehicle is the Fiesta van which is available in bothr 957cc low compression or 1,117cc high compression versions. The vehicle on show at NEC is the former.

Finished to L standard the Fiesta is literally a car with the rear windows removed and steel panels welded in place. Rear seats are replaced by a removeable wooden flooring but all the cars ancillaries are retained. Fiestas have front-wheel drive from the transversely mounted engine which is coupled to a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox.

Next up the weight scale is an example of the Escort, a 45L. This is fitted with Ford's 1.3 ohv petrol unit and has a payload capacity of 450kg (9cwt).

During the last year, Ford unveiled its revamped Transit range and two versions, a 100 panel van and a 190 chassis cab are displayed. Chief styling change to the Transit was the front end which is much more like the 'A' Series.

The 100 on show has the 1.6-litre overhead camshaft engine unit, but a two-litre is available. Fitting the in-line four, along with the body changes has improved accessibility.

Finally, the Transit 190 which has bodywork by Walkers, is exhibited with the 2.4-litre York diesel.

343

Vauxhall Motors Ltd, PO Box 3, Kimpton Road, Luton, Beds THE well established HA van, based originally around the Mark 1 Viva is still going strong as is evidenced by its appearance at the NEC.

A 110 model is there, and this has a gvw of 1,118kg (1.1ton).

Next up the weight scale is a Cheyenne with a gvw of 135Ikg (1.33-ton). This vehicle is based on the Chevette estate car and has grp side panels covering where the side windows used to be. It is aimed at those requiring a mote luxurious light vehicle.

Three models of the CF are to be seen. These are a 220 panel van with a gwv of 2,235kg (2.2 ton), a 350 chassis cab of 3,495kg (3.44-ton) gvw, and a Dormobile Lltilabus conversion

of the CF 340 which is plated ti 3,373kg (3.32 tons) gross. Alsi shown is a GMC 4x4 vehicl, which features a petrol VI power unit.

317

Austin, Morris, Land-Rovel Grosvenor House, Prospec Hill, Redditch, Was Midlands THE biggest news on the Austii Morris Land-Rover stand (form erly Leyland Cars, Commercie Division) is the introduction c the new 0 Series 1200 oh power unit in the Sherpa val range. This engine replace both the 1.6 and 1.8-B-Serie variants that were previousl. used.

At the same time Leyland ha changed the model designa tions from imperial to metrii gross weights, thus for exampli the 240 Sherpa becomes thi 250. An example of this mode at the NEC is a 250 pick-up it the livery of Dowding and Mills Diesel Sherpas are also ir evidence, with a 230 van di luxe in West Midlands Gas col ours. This has sliding doors overdrive and cloth trim. It als( has a side loading door and a! such is the only panel van tha can combine these two.

Another diesel is a 25( crewbus which has hinge( doors and rubber matting. It shown in British waterways iVery.

Yet another diesel, this time a 255 chassis-cab with overdrive, s displayed on a plinth. It is a de uxe version.

Another 255 chassis cab Nith a. Luton body in Curry's ivery is also a de luxe Model but this time has the 1 700 petrol Jnit. This engine is slightly detuned to give better low speed torque. The rear of this exhibit 'eatures a visual display of the -ecent Sherpa expedition in the Himalayas.

A petrol minibus belonging Lo British Airways based on the 250, is shown with de luxe cloth :rim and overdrive. Finally, the mass of Sherpas are completed. ay a 230 panel van, petrol de uxe.

Externally Sherpas are all now distinguished by a matt black grille. Inside the major change is the fitment of ISO standard column stalks; that is the wiper and light controls are in the left of the column with the indicators, horn and headlamp flash on the left Marina vans too have matt black grilles and the new wiper set-up. A pick-up and a van are shown. They have been redesignated as well so the 7cwt van on show. an L version, is now called a 440 while the 10cwt pick-up is a 575. These refer to payload. The van is destined for the South West Electricity Board and the pick-up for National Tyres. Marinas are now known only by the name Morris.

Although long in the tooth the Minivan still sells well. Redesignation on this now means the one on show is a 95 with an 850cc petrol engine. It is shown in Post Office express delivery.colours. Externally door mirrors are the chief changes.

Rounding off the Austin, Morris, Land-Rover display is a 109in wheelbase four-cylinder diesel with a truck cab. It is in Forestry Commission livery and has de luxe seats and trim. Unipart overdrive is an option fitted to it and two-speed wipers are also fitted.

327

Toyota GB Ltd 320 Purley Way, Croydon; Surrey THE REVISED Toyota Hi-Ace range of van and pick-up is on show at the NEC this year.

The panel van, which has a single lift-up rear door, comes equipped with a 1,588cc (97cuin) petrol engine. Front suspension is by means of coil spring and wishbones with leaf springs at the rear. Servoassisted drum brakes are fitted all round. .

Two length versions 4.3m (171in) and 4.7m (185in) are available on the van and the pick-up has a length of 4.4m (1 75in), This model has a payload area of .4.45sqm (48sqft) and the van has a 1 ton payload.

Using similar mechanical components to the Hi-Ace the Hi-Lux pick up is a conventionally laid out pick-up. It has a payload capacity of 1 168kg (23cwt) and a platform 2.2m (88in) long. Overall length is 4.7m (185in).

319

Volkswagen GB Ltd, Volkswagen House, Brighton Road, Purley, Surrey IN ADDITION to the completely new LT45, described fully elsewhere in this issue, VW has three other light commercials on show.

The well known type 2 aircooled delivery van is on the stand Fitted with a 1,600cc (97.6cuin) rear-mourtted flat floor unit it has a payload capacity of 1 ton. Two of the smaller LTS, a 31 and a 35, are featured, the last a diesel chassis-cab fitted with a Glasonit box body. Next to this is a 31 panel van.

Unlike their bigger brothers the LTSs feature independent front suspension.

313

Peugeot Automobiles SA, Peugeot House, 333 Western Avenue, London W3 PEUGEOT has never been very strong in the UK on commercials, but since it is taking over Chrysler perhaps all that will change.

For the NEC it is displaying no less than four examples of its transverse engined, front-wheel drive 304—based on the estate car of the same name. Two 404 petrol pick-ups are also to be seen. accompanied by a diesel version.

321

Datsun UK Ltd, Datsun House, New Road, Duffington, Worthing, West Sussex FOUR VEHICLES from the Datsun range of light comrner cials make up the display on this company's stand.

The Cherry Fl 1 van, fitted with a four-cylinder in-line engine driving the front wheels, has a payload of 425kg (9371b). Gross vehicle weight is 1,169kg (2,5791b). Drum brakes are fitted all round and it has independent front and leaf spring rear suspension.

The larger 1,171cc-engined Sunny van, which has a payload capacity of 265kg (8041b) grosses 1,179kg (2,60111b). This too has independent front, leaf springs rear suspension and drum brakes.

A one-ton pick up, which uses a 1,483cc petrol engine, is another Datsun exhibit. Payload on this one is 1 ,179kg (2,601Ib) and it has a gvw of 2,210kg (4,8721b). A fourspeed gearbox is a feature of the design and it also has independent front suspension.

Two versions of the Cabstar, which made an unheralded entry to the market earlier in the year, are to be seen.

The first, a Hi-Deck pick up has an overall length of 4.7m (15ft 4in), a payload of 1,614kg (3,5591b) with a gross vehicle weight of 3,009kg (6,63415). The second version, a chassiscab, shares the same mechanical layout as its brother including a 1,982cc petrol engine and four-speed gearbox.

326

Colt Car Co, The Spitalgate Lane, Cirencester, Glos THREE MODELS of the Mitsubishi L200 1-tonne chassis are shown on the Colt stand. Fitted with a 1,597cc four-cylinder overhead camshaft power unit developing 60kW (75bhp) there is a standard pick-up truck, a Telehoist tipper version and a Caribbean Motor Homes demountable.

Maximum gvw of the L200 is 2,310kg (2.3 tons) and payload for the pick-up is 1,230kg (1.21-ton). Interior body length for this model is 469cm (184in) and it is 165cm (65in) wide overall.

338

Stonefield Vehicles Ltd, Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland THREE Stonefields make up the display of the go-anywhere manufacturer's wares.

A half-clad 4x4, with fully automatic transmission, is exhibited to show the vehicle's construction.

Next to it is another 4x4, this time a military half-cab which has just come from the MVEE test course where it has been in use on —cyclic— cross-country circuits under varying loading and towing conditions.

Finally, a 6x4 fully automatic with a 3-tonne payload capacity completes the line-up.

336

Honda UK Ltd, 4 Power Road, Chiswick, London TVVO VERSIONS of the newly introduced Honda Acty light commercial are at the NEC.

One is the van, the other a pick-up. This model now replaces the TN 360, having a large 545cc (33 cuin) engine. Payload for the Acty van is 454kg (1,0001b) and gross weight is 1,229kg (1 tor 4cwt).