THE LATEST TAXICAB
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for Service in the Metropolis
AS an operator of a very large fleet of taxicabs in the London area, and having many years' experience in this class of work, the London General Cab Co., Ltd., 1-3, Brixton Road, London, S.W.9, has achieved a wide reputation. It is of special interest, therefore, to learn that this concern is How erecting in its works at Brixton a soundly constructed cab of simple design and light weight, which embodies certain Citroen components, including the engine, gearbox and radiator, in its layout.
We understand that the design of the complete vehicle is that of Mr. P. Geldard, of the London General Cab Co., Ltd. One of the noteworthy
features of the cab is that the total weight is only 11 ton.
Giving consideration to the details of construction, the channel-steel frame is out-swept where it passes under the dashboard, and then the members run parallel, being upswept over the rear axle. There are three cross-members, one carries the radiator, another supports the brake cross-shaft, whilst the third ties the rear ends of the frame behind the rear-axle line. In addition to these, there are three lateral girder members fixed to dependant pressed-steel brackets ; these carry the running boards, but they also serve as lateral frame ties.
Both engine mountings actually stiffen the frame; at the front they consist of two right-angle brackets bolted to the frame side-members. These, in turn, are attached to lateral brackets projecting from the engine crankcase. At the rear a one-piece bridge-member runs from one side of the frame to the other and is bolted to the forward flange of the clutch pit.
(Right) The chassisframe members are parallel in plan ; two of the channel-steel cross-members are shown in this view. The spare-wheel bracket is attached to the rearmost crossmember, as are the brackets for the number plate and hack
ney-carriage plate.
To the frame are fixed housings for the rubber blocks in which the extremities of the leaf springs are carried. The front springs are 2 ins, wide and those at the rear 2* ins.; the latter have eight leaves and, in i each ease, is held to the rear axle by four plain bolts, thus permitting quick replacement.
On top of the off-side framemember, just ahead of the dashboard, is bolted the Bishop camtype steering set. The box is carried in a split clip and the column is stayed to the dash. Ball-and-socket joints are employed for all connections. Centre-point steering is provided, which is particularly desir able in view of the fact that provision is made for the incorporation of frontwheel brakes if they he required; The swivel pins are fixed in the axle ends, which are oval in section.
Carried on the front crosi-member is the radiator, which bears the Citroen hadge; the starting handle is also mounted on this cress-member. • A Citroen 13-30 h.p. side-by-side -valve engine is employed. The valves are on the off side, as are the Solex carburetter and the inlet and exhaust manifolds, which meet at one point to form a hot spot; they are secured by dogs. The Cylinder head is detachable and is retained by 14 studs. The exhaust. branch is carried forward, the pipe being secured to it by a split clip.
In order to..avoid the need for breaking the rubber water joints when overhauling, the metal up-take pipe is bolted to the forward face of the cylinder head. Water circulation is by a pump which is mounted on an extension of the fan spindle. Both fan and dynamo are driven by a common belt.
The drive shaft for the Delco distributor projects though the cylinder head, and it has a device to -ensure cerreet timing when replacing the distributor rotor. On the near side; close together, are the oil filler and dipstick ; below these is the quickly detachable oil filter, whilst the coil is attached to the near side of the cylinder block. A large greaser is pro-. vided for the pump bearing, whilst the dynamo saddle is slotted to prCvide adjustment for the fan belt. A starter can be provided as an extra, which remark also applies to front-wheel brakes.
Mounted in a pit is a single-plate, fabric-faeed clutch, which is exceptionally light in operation: This carries power to a unit-mounted, three-speed&intI:reverse gearbox, the control lever for which is centrallymounted. The brake pedal and lever are coupled to a .cross-shaft which is mounted on the central cross-member. The shaft is hallow and filled with lubricant, which supplies its three"bearings " and the swinging links. Both sets of brake shoes are mounted in the rear wheels, the drums being 14 ins. by 5 ins. The brakes are non-compensated.
• From the gearbox power is taken through an uneuclosed, hollow propeller shaft, which has Spicer joints at both ends, to the drum-type rear axle, which houses a spiral-bevel gear-set.
, At the rear of the dash is a fivegallon petrol tank with a tap below it ; the filler projects through the front of the dash. Amongst other interesting items are the automatic ignitionadvance mechanism, a tray under the engine and gearbox, and a gilled-tube radiator having a solid nickel shell.
The body is of the landaulet type and has an air extractor in the roof. Two quick-acting clips are used to hold the head to the fixed portion of the roof. An interior light is mounted at the back in the angle of the roof. Communication with the driver is . by means -of a Burovox device, it being necessary merely to press a button for the driver to be able to hear the passenger. Ash-trays are provided on both sides and grab handles are fitted to the doors. The window winders are fitted inside guard rails and the door handles are sunk below the surface of the lining boards.
The body is finished externally in Durex leather-cloth, safety glass being employed. The wings and bonnet are painted and the front screen is of the On the near side of the engine are the oil filler, dip-stick, oilfilter, and the movable dynamo bracket to permit adjustment of the fan belt.
three-quarter type fitted with a wiper. A door is provided for the driver's seat; the wings rz.re not connected to th3 running boards, so that the removal of four bolts makes them instantly detachable. Th44 side lamps have two separate bulbs.
Low-pressure tyres (29 ins. by 6 ins.) are used. The track is 4 ft. 8 ins., the wheelbase 9 ft., and the height of the frame (unladen) 1 ft. 11 ins. These cabs are available for purchase or may be driven -by duly licensed men on the fiat-rate basis.