Remarkable Performances by Six-wheelers
Page 44
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ONE day last week a party of motor traders visited Bilston to witness a demonstration of Morris-Commercial six-wheelers, which was arranged by the Colmore Depot, 49, John Bright Street, Birmingham, the well-known distributor of Morris-Commercial vehicles, and it proved to be both entertaining and instructive.
The party assembled at the Colmore Depot and was conveyed to Bilston in Morris-Commercial coaches. The scene of the tests was a slag heap, which had originally been the site of a coal mine. The surface was loose, grass-grown and slippery, whilst it was well watered by pools. Gradients of about 1 in 2 were common, and the maximum slope was about 1 in 1i. When it is said that it was extremely difficult to walk up the hillocks, the serious task of driving a vehicle over them will at once be imagined.
Three six-wheelers took part in the demonstration, one being a special forward-control outfit for the War Department, another a special chassis designed to carry a saloon body for the transport of Indian army officers, and a standard B30 six-wheeler with an open lorry body and a full load.
The last-named machine, .which had an engine of 17.9 h.p., as against the customary unit of 15.9 h.p., attracted most attention, and a representative of The Commercial Motor was able to travel around the course on it. It was an experience not to be forgotten. The vehicle climbed gradients of about 1 in
2 and 1 in without much difficulty, and at times was travelling with one or more of the wheels well clear of the ground, whilst on other occasions it tilted sideways to an alarming angle.
Great enthusiasm was shown by the visitors, particularly when the lorry climbed an acclivity of 1 in 2, sometimes with one of the front wheels in mid-air, and on other occasions with the front wheels of the bogie clear of the ground.
Luncheon at the Cherrywood Road branch of the Colmore Depot followed the demonstration, the chair being taken by Mr. A. E. Mcaden, commercialvehicle sales manager of that organization. Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., was represented by Mr. W. Wilson Hamill, managing director, Mr. C. P.
Lawrence King, assistant general manager, and Mr. L. M. Whitmore, publicity manager.
In a short speech, Mr. Meaden emphasized the need for enterprise on the part of motor traders in marketing commercial vehicles. Mr. Wilson Hamill made a plea-for more confidence in business so as to speed up the return to prosperity. He remarked that there was a sufficiency of money in the country.
Mr. Lawrence King struck an optimistic note when he said that, despite the business depression, the commercialmotor industry had suffered less than had practically any other trade. Be extended an invitation to motor dealers to take their customers along to the Morris-Commercial factory to see the company's vehicles in the course of production.
In the afternoon a visit was paid to the Adderley Park works of Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., where the corn-' pany's heavy vehicles (goods and passenger) are manufactured. The party was able to examine components in the process of production, as well as to inspect finished vehicles.