69, 101, 103 BMC

20th September 1968, Page 123

20th September 1968

Page 123

Page 123, 20th September 1968 — 69, 101, 103 BMC

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British Motor Corporation Ltd., Longbridge Works, Birmingham.

THERE are three BMC stands at the Commercial Show, car-based vans and pick-ups appearing on stands 103 (Austin) and 101 (Morris). Heavier commercial vehicles are shown on Stand 69 which comes under the control of the Commercial Vehicle Division.

The full range of vans on the two stands mentioned range from Austin and Morris Mini pick-ups and vans to the -1,-ton van and pick-up and, in between them, the 6and 8-cwt vans and pick-ups based on the Austin A35 and Morris Minor car designs.

It is on the Commerical Vehicle Division stand that the major interest lies and here the latest new model from BMC is to be seen. This is the 350 EA van which was introduced at the beginning of this month to replace the long-standing LD design. The model is suitable for a gross weight of 3.5 tons and alternative body lengths (rear overhangs are different) provide for two body spaces With a 10ft 2in. long body the internal capacity is 322 cu.ft. and with 8ft 5in. length there is 274 cuff. of load space. The model is available in standard or de luxe form and with a choice of petrol or diesel engine. The engine is set back from the front of the chassis and inclined so that it lies under the floor and this makes access across the cab and entry into the body from either side easy. Twin-rear wheels with 14in. tyres make the loading height conveniently low.

Both petrol and diesel engines have a capacity of 2.5 litres and have been developed from the 2.2-litre unit used for many years by BMC. Output is 70 bhp gross (BS AU 1411 for the petrol and 66 bhp gross (I3C AU 141) for the diesel. The drive is through a four-speed synchromesh gearbox to a spiral-bevel rear axle. The two examples of the 350 EA at the Show show the alternative engines and the different sizes of body available.

Of comparable importance to the EA van on the BMC stand there is an example of the Laird which as announced elsewhere in this issue has been derived from the FJ models, four years' old today. The Laird retains many of the FJ features including tilt cab and double safety braking system and is being offered in the same wheelbases and gross weight categories as the FJ was. The example of the Laird on the BMC stand is the LR1300 which is shown as a platform truck with a 40ft 3in. wheelbase. Like the LR1160 and the tractive unit versions, the 1300 has the BMC 5.7-litre diesel engine as standard. This develops 92 bhp gross (BS AU 141).

The cab is basically the same as that on the FJ but with new seats and a redesigned front. The heater system has been improved and there is straight-forward hydraulic actuation of the clutch, the air assistance having been dropped. To suit the change in clutch operation the steering wheel has been raised by 1in. and because one of the changes to the cab front has been the replacement of twin headlamps by' single units on each side, the front bumper has been set forward to clear them when the cab is tilted.

Including the LR1300 there are 12 vehicles altogether on Stand 69. These start at the 200 J4 van followed by the 250 JiJ which is seen for the first time at the Commercial Motor Show. There are two FG models and a WF and with them there are three of the old FJ design. One is a 14ft 7in. wheelbase 11 60 FJ chassis/cab, the second a 10ft 11 in. wheelbase 1300 FJ tipper and the third a 1800 FJ tractive unit.