FRENCH COACH BODY CONSTRUCTION.
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AT this time of year -the coach -proprietors in the South of France are commencing to formulate their plans and put their vehicles in order for the coming aevon,. and many of the large body liuilders are busily engaged in turning 9ut orders for new coachwork, of which the coach illustrated herewith may be taken as a good example.
The seating capacity of this vehicle, including the driver, is 25, all seats being arranged acrosS the body and facing forward. A slight rise from front to rear is gives to the floor, thus enabling every passenger to have a clear View forward. Doors are provided on each side of the second and third rows, and a door on the left side only to the front row. Access to the last two rows is by means of a central gangway between the third and fourth rows. Letdown seats are provided in the gangways to enable the coach to carry its full complement of passengers. The upholstering is carried our in black leather, the seats and backrests being fitted with springs and padded with horsehair, while ample leg room is provided. Removable mats are placed on the floorboards, while in front Of each row of seats are two small folding shelves, which can be let down should the pas sellers desire to partake of refreshments en route.
An ingenious Cape hood is provided, which can be raised and lowered in a minimum of time by one man. As will be seen from one of the illustrations, no side supports -are embodied, the general outline of the hood resembling private oar practice. At. the forward end the hood is attached, by means of studs and wing nuts, to supports, which are specially strengthened, one each aide of the windscreen. Side curtains having sections made to open with the doors and provided with mica windows are
carried for use in wet weather. An adjustable windscreen is fitted in front of the driver's seat. Electric lighting equipment is fitted to the chassis, consisting of headlights, side lamps and tail lamp, the side and tail lamps can be adapted to burn paraffin if necessary, this providing a useful standby in case of a 'breakdown to the electric installation.
The body is painted slate grey, with a broad hand of dull red round the top and on each side of the back panel, while the chassis, mud wings and wheels are painted black. A carrier for the spare wheel is fitted to the right side running board. The coach is mounted on pneumatic tyres, twin tyres being fitted at the rear, the size used being 955 mm. by 155 nun.
This body is mounted on a Berliet special coach chassis, a full description of which was given in the issue of The Commercial Motor published September 20th, 1921. The overall dimensions of the chassis are :—Length, 19 ft. 2 ins.; width, 6 ft. 1 fn.; while the wheelbase is 12 ft.
The builders of the body are Messrs. Fattrax and Chaussende, Lyons, France, the chassis being produced by Automobiles M. Rerliet, of the same, city, -whose London branch is situated at 40, Sackville Street, W. 1.