Market Garden Vehicle Built for the Job
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AN earnest and successful attempt to meet specialist requirements is seen in a van body built by The Wokingham Pantechnicon, Broad Street. Wokingham, Berks, on a Bedford chassis for W. and T. Mann, Ltd.. market gardener, of Brentford. It was supplied by Messrs. Broadway Motors, Hounslow. The chassis is of the passenger type, which enables the loading height to be kept low.
Several unusual features are dictated by the intended dual use of the vehicle both as transporter and office. For example. the cab is unusually spacious and is fitted with a well-upholstered, comfortable moquette-covered seat for the
proprietor. Main dimensions of the body are: Height inside, 7 ft. 6 ins.; length, 16 ft.; width inside, 7 ft. The Luton extension measures 7 ft. by 4 ft. by 4 ft.
The floor is flat from front to rear and has 1-in, holes for drainage of surplus water. The tailboard is hinged 1 ft. below floor level and the rear edge rests on two special stools for loading. The rear pillars each halve three cleats; there are two partial-loading bars which ensure rigidity when travelling light. Panelling is metal-faced plywood and there are three ventilators on each side. Tail lights are fitted both at the tap of the body and 3 ft. from the ground. Other examples of attention; to specialist requirements are an interior light in the centre of the body, locking handle, to the cab doors, and door handles of the recessed pan typ::: The last-mentioned feature is a result of the vehicle's having to be driven through highly congested parts of the market. Detail equipment includes ashtrays, two mirrors, two windscreen wipers and a large toolbox. The battery is under the cab floor, access being given by a trapdoor.