Striking Exhibits at the
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MILAN SHOW
TH"year the annual Italian Motor Show, which attracted the chief interest amongst those in the motoring world, has already taken place in Rome, so that on the occasion of the commercial-vehicle show we did not see the usual huge crowds that previously invaded the exhibition at Milan with an enthusiasm which meant great success to the trade. It cannot be • expected that a show devoted to commercial vehicles only will attract the same cosmopolitan assembly, and perhaps this is as well, for it is buyers,
not sightseers, who are the more important. This is not to say that great interest is not being taken by the motoring fraternity in this exhibition, not only in the commercial vehicles but in the accessories, which are well to the fore.
.Actually, the show this year is considerably more interesting than those previously staged, for the factories responsible have made a great effort in the production of this special class of vehicle. Coachbuilders have also done their best in that branch of the industry, and although with the commercial vehicle it is often difficult to obtain really good lines, much has been done in this direction ; there are also some particularly interesting colour schemes, whilst the standard of finish shows great improvement.
In Italy, as elsewhere, great interest is being displayed in the battle between the railway and the road. This is particularly so in the case of mountain services and long tours, whilst the bus is increasing its lead over the tram, both in town and country. Some of the buses on view were excellent examples with thoroughly up-to-date equipment.
This year the Palazzo dello Sport stages rather a mixture, the central hall being occupied by yachts, motor boats, etc.; in the circular gallery are the accessories, whilst the two huge halls at the side house the commercial vehicles. There are not many foreign exhibits, partly because, as in. the case of taxicabs, there are certain restrictions; for this particular class of work only Italian ears are permitted, whilst for public-service work it is considered that Italian-built vehicles are more suitable to the traffic and, road conditions.
Exhibited for the first time in Italy is a Renault tractor with a powerful engine capable of running on petrol or paraffin.
Bergomi has on view a large number of well-finished vans, fireengines and a very interesting type of van equipped with an electricmotor device by which it can be rapidly unloaded. There are also some smaller types of fire pump.
One of the bast-finished taxicabs, in blue (the new national colour), is shown by Bianchi. This concern also stages a light van, the engine of which has four -cylinders with overhead valves and a capacity of 1.300 c.c.
As usual, the Ford is well to the front, many types of commercialvehicle bodywork being shown on the new A model chassis. The exhibit includes vans, taxicabs and the new Fordson tractor, whilst of particular interest is a six-wheeled van capable of carrying 35 quintals and suitable for use either on roads or across moderately rough country. In Italy the Ford taxicab is priced at £305; the vans from £200 to £280. Parravicini shows a cleverly devised tipping trailer suitable for haulage by many types of chassis.
The Italian-built Citroen is displayed with a full range of bodywork, including taxicabs, vans, ambulances and as two small lorries with a somewhat futuristic colour scheme.
The Ansaldo is shown as a fourcylinder taxicab, but there is very
little deviation from normal in the design.
The three concerns, Ceirano, Fiat and S.P.A., are associated in the production of commercial vehicles, and the products exhibited by them occupy the whole of one side of the hall and is a most imposing display, well arranged. There is a full range of vans, trailers, fire-engines, buses, touring caravans, tractors, etc., all having chassis with four-cylindered power units. There is some fine bodywork on these chassis by Garavini, who specializes in this class of work. Amongst the most striking examples are the big Ceirano fast-touring coaches, seating from 30 to 36; then there is a Fiat which is quite a showroom for biscuits, cakes; chocolates, etc. In the large S.P.A. town-service bus the driver's seat is well forward of the front axle. The little 7 hp. Fiat chassis is to be seen equipped with various classes of body, including the country type, known as the Giardiniera, van, ambulance, etc.
The only three-wheeler in the show is the Guzzi. This has the usual motorcycle type of frame, but the rear wheel is replaced by a kind of trailer attachment. This model is already very much in demand for light commercial work, and has a 500 c.c. single-cylindered engine.
A popular type of electric vehicle shown is the Stigler ; one reason for the favour shown to this type of vehicle is that in Italy electric vehicles are untaxed for five years.
As we close for press we have received information regarding other exhibits, details of which will be given next week.