AN ALL-WEATHER SALOON BUS.
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Brief Particulars of an Attractive Vehicle Now Running on Service in Scotland.
ANEW bus service has recently been instituted between Aberdeen and Ballater, and the vehicle which is being used is illustrated on the next page. It makes two journeys per day, passengers being picked up at intermediate places en route. The bus is being run by Mr. A, E. Strachan, of Ballater, who is a nephew of Mr. J. M. Strachan, of Messrs. Strachan and Brown, of Wales Farm Road, London, W.3. . The -vehicle is a most handsome production, the chassis used being an example of the well-known Lancia Pentaiota, upon which a well-equipped body has been constructed by Messrs. Strachan and Brown. In so far as the vehicle incorporates in its design the Strachan patent rolltop roof, it is suitable for all-the-yearround employment, particularly as four of the windows on each side can be adjusted in any position between the waist rail and the cant-rail. The roof is made up of a series of shutters, four of which are fitted on each side, and these slide in channels in the curved roof ribs. They are accommodated when rolled up in a longitudinal housing which runs from the partition behind the driver's seat to a point a short distance from the rear. The company claim that this type of sliding roof has distinctive features which render it ideal for publicservice vehicles used all the year round. The shutters are constructed of mahogany, and the roof can be closed or opened with the utmost ease. The rear section of the body is a fixture, a D-shaped window on each side linking up with the drop lights. The roof in this part is lined with threeply, covered with Encrusts., having a
mahogany beading and an ornamental frieze panel.
The seats are arranged in the conventional manner ; that is to say, transversely on each side of a central gangway. They are of the semi-bucket type with deep spring backs and deep spring cushions, which give the utmost support and comfort. The seats are 130 placed that adequate knee-room is available. The upholstery is of red antique leather. The backs of the seats, as well as special footrests fitted in front of them, are covered with thick carpet of a shade to harmonize with the upholstery.
Silk curtains to match the upholstery are fitted over each window; they run down the side pillars and are held ill position by neat rosettes. The whole of the interior is finished in mahogany, all of which is inlaid.
Entrance to the interior is gained by way of a door at the front on the near side, the steps which lead to the level of the floor being disposed within the body width. The door is of the company's two-piece patent one-man-opera ated type, which can be easily opened or closed from the driver's seat. It completely encloses the entrance. There is a wide emergency door fitted in the rear panel, which can be instantly opened from either outside or inside the vehicle, this operation being controlled
by a lever encased, on the exterior, by a sliding glass panel.
The driver is provided with a comfortable seat, and is given full proteefion by a V-shaped screen. In the partion behind his seat bevelled-edge mirrors are fitted as well as an inlaid mahogany cabinet.
This extremely attractive vehicle is constructed to seat 26 passengers, and
the chassis is designed for speedy passenger service. The exterior is painted a bright red, the mouldings being in black and the lining carried out in gold. Running boards are fitted on each side of the vehicle to enable a certain amount of luggage to be carried, whilst two spare wheels are supported in a bracket suspended from the rear of the frame.