The Type of Vehicle Required on the Gold Coast.
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rrillOSE of our readers who were in terested in the articles appearing in our issues of May 17th and 31st last, dealing -with transport experiences in the Gold Coast Colony, will certainly be especially attracted by the article which occupies our centre pages this week, and which gives details of the transport activities of a well-k.nown company in that Colony.
Furthermore, manufacturers in particular will be pleased to have an opportunity for obtaining authoritative information relating to the type of vehicle which is most suited for use on the Gold Coast. From a copy of minutes by the Chief Transport Officer, Gold Coast, which has been passed On to us through the Government Commercial Intelligence Bureau, Abbey House, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, we
1330 learn that the type of chassis which experience suggests is the best for use on pioneer roads should embody the following features :— (a) A comparatively large slowspeed, four-cylindered engine of approximately 80 tam. bore, capable of doing 90 per cent, of its work on top gear.
(b) A three-speed gearbox, as very few, if any, African drivers can make intelligent use of four speeds.
(e) An enclosed propeller shaft with one self-lubricated metal univer sal joint and torque tube. Fabric disc universals disintegrate in the heat, and open propeller shafts whip excessively.
(d) Large radiating surface and pump or impeller-assisted water circulation. (It is here mentioned that almost every light British vehicle is under-cooled and water is very scarce during the dry season.) (e) Magneto ignition,. since battery charging stations are nonexistent up country.
(f) Straight-sided, single pneu matic tyres of liberal section.
Mention is also made of the fact that ample stoeks of spare parts must be ready to hand locally, and that efficient after-sales organisation must exist, whilst agents must be provided with facilities for 'supplying vehicles on the instalmant plan to owner-drivers and small native contractors.
The reason for certain of these requirements are clearly enumerated in the article appearing in this issue, wherein details of the restrictionsin force on the Gold Coast are given.