New Models at Manchester Show
Page 52
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AI entirely new semi-trailer, employing I-beams for the main members, is one of the principal features at a Manchester exhibition being held jointly by the Primrose Group, Palmer Coachbuilder Ltd. and Lookers Ltd. The location is a building, recently acquired as a commercial vehicle centre by Lookers Ltd., in Store Street, near Piecadilly Station, Manchester; the show is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Friday) and Saturday. A similar exhibition is to be organized in conjunction with Central Garage Ltd., Bradford, during the period May 2-7.
The Super Cargo semi-trailer mentioned above has been introduced by the Primrose Group to meet the demands for larger and longer trailers than those covered by the well-established Cargo series which fall into the 12-20-ton and 20-28 ft. class. In order to provide for the general requirements under the new regulations the standard Super Cargo will range from 28 ft. to 34 ft. but for Special Types work, lengths up to 40 ft. will be available.
The basic difference between this range and the Cargo series is that whereas the latter employs channel-section pressed steel the new design is of I-beam construction and, but for the axles, is manufactured throughout in the Primrose factory. Main members may be 16 or 20 in. deep and they may be solid I-beam, interlaced, or fabricated I-beam, according to the need of the operator. Special plant is being employed by Primrose for the manufacture of the beams.
Triple-line braking is standard equipment.
Planned to be finished in detail to customers' requirements, the new Super Cargo has a wide range of axles, brake, tyre and other alternatives. Various other examples of Primrose Cargo semi-trailers are also being shown at Manchester.
From Palmer Coachbuilder Ltd. there is the prototype of the Mobiltainer, an attractive container .using the company's Thinwall technique which is based on the use of interlocking ribbed panels. The skin is mounted on a mild-steel frame designed to form rear pillars, front pillars, skirt rails and cart rails. Mobiltainers are made in lengths from 8 ft. to 30 ft.; the latter giving internal dimensions of 29 ft. 6 in. with 7 ft. 8 in. width and 7 ft. 4 in. height. Roof perimeter framing, side, front and rear raves are of 10 s.w.g. steel with lifting corners in accordance with ISO specifications.
A detail improvement in the latest Palmer bodies is that the cant rails are free from internal rivets, thus assisting in the weatherproofing of the roof. One-piece reinforced plastics forward domes are now available for the trailers. The company's Palanquin Jumbo van bodies are now being offered on Primrose Super Cargo tandem-axle chassis of 20-ton or 22-ton capacity; internal accommodation in either case is 2,296 Cu. ft.
Lookers Ltd. are showing a wide range of Austin commercials, including an Austin Gipsy ambulance with Lomas body, a Gipsy personnel carrier, an Austin Minicoach and a wide variety of general goods carriers. The minor displays include B MC commercial vehicle power units, Primrose Group components and there is a veteran fire engine of Leyland manufacture.