Singer Introduces a 1 2-cwt. Van
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WIJILST smart body lines, even for a commercial vehicle, are definitely a sales asset, the soundness of construction of -both the chassis and the body, combined with adequate freight space, should be the ruling factors in choosing a vehicle for any particular purpose. The new Singer 12-cwt. van incorporates all these features, for not only is it attractive in so far as outward appearance is concerned, but it has a freight capacity of 82 cubic ft., whilst the chassis is built on reaily modern lines and is powered by an engine of 12 h.p. rating, having a maxinium output of 32 blip. Furthermore, the • total weight of the outfit allows it to come under the £15tax rating. The wheelbase is 9 ft. 11 in. and the track 4 ft. 4 ins., whilst the overall length of the complete van is 12 ft. 10i ins., the width 5 ft. 6 ins. and the unladen height 6 ft. The dimension measured from the dash to the rear axle is 6 ft. 1 in., and to the end of the frame (from the dash) is 8 ft. I in., whilst from the back of the driver's seat to the inside of the rear doors measures 5 ft. 2 ills. ; there has, therefore, been no crampinz of the driver's compart ment in order to obtain a large payload capacity. The inside width of the body is 4 ft. S ins., the height 3 ft. 8 ins, and the platform height when the vehicle is unladen 2 ft. 3 ins.
In construction the chassis follows normal lints in that the side-members are upswept over the rear axle. Semielliptic springs front and rear are fitted, with Silentbloc bushes and recoil dampers, the interchangeable wire wheels being shod with Dunlop 15-in. by 5-in, reinforced tyres; a spare wheel and -tyres are included in the normal equipment.
Turning now to a consideration of the power unit, the four cylinders are bored to 69.5 mm., which, with a piston stroke of 95 mm„ gives a total swept volume of 1.440 litre. A substantial casting is used for the cylinder block and the upper half of the crankcase, a web running right across the interior to give a rigid mounting for the centre bearing of the crankshaft. This latter component, by the way, is fed with oil under pressure from a gear-type pump housed in the sump, the circulated supply being, of course, properly filtered. An incidental feature of the oiling system is the fact that the oilfiller cap is air-tight," a separate breather incorporating an extension pipe leading the fumes away from the driving compartment. Side-by-side valves are employed, and with a detachable cylinder head the whole arrangement of components is planned to render the job of decarbonising, valve grinding, etc., as simple as possible.
As might be expected in a modern engine, the reciprocating weights have been kept as low as possible in order to reduce the secondary forces in the engine. Thus, lightweight aluminium alloy pistons are used, and the connecting rods have a light but strong section. The gudgeon pins are located by a pad fitted at each end, whilst drilled scraper rings help to give a low oil consumption.
A Solex self-starting carburetter is provided, whilst ignition is by coil and distributor, the latter component being in a very accessible position for examination of the contacts, etc. Cooling is assisted by a fan; the water capacity Is 2 gallons and the thermo-siphon principle is employed.
Built unitwise with the engine are a single-plate clutch and four-speed gearbox on up-to-date lines. The free member of the clutch is mounted on a Hardy flexible disc, so that slight crankshaft reverberations are insulated from the transmission. Three forward speeds provide ratios of 5.22, 9.86 and 17.12 to 1; the reverse gear ratio is similar to that of the first speed. The arrangement of the transmission follows normal lines, an open propeller shaft with Hardy Spicer universal joints conveying the drive to a spiral-bevel rear axle -which incorporates a bevel-type differential.
The front axle is a substantial steel stamping of H-section, the road-wheel bearings being of the tapered-roller type. A new type of steering gear is used, a worm-and-nut mechanism being employed which, combined with a book-up employing ball-and-socket joints for the track rod, drag link, etc., is light in operation, and at the same time possesses a moderate degree of self-centring action. Lockheed hydraulic pedalapplied brakes operate in 10i-in. drums ou all four wheels ; these shoes are applied by pedal. The band lever operates on the rear wheels only, through a mechanical book-up.
The standard chassis equipment includes a Rotax electric starter and a 12-volt lighting system with a dynamo and a 51-amp.-hour battery. A fivelamp set is augmented by a dashlainp and an inspection-lamp socket, an ammeter and an electric horn with steering-column switch, whilst an automatic windscreen wiper and a trip speedometer driven from the gearbox are included in the listed price. Petrol is supplied by gravity from a 10-gallon tank in the scuttle, a two-way tap providing a reserve of one gallon.
The body iS constructed on a strong frame of ash strengthened with the usual body irons and panelled in 20gauge steel-. The driver's cab is fully enclosed and is equipped with two doors having windows with quick-action winders; a one-piece safety-glass windscreen is part of the normal equipment. At the rear are two full-length doors equipped with a lock ; the foot of each door fits snugly into a rabbett—an arrangement which prevents rain running along the van floor. Only one seat is provided, this being of the bucket type, fully "sprung, and upholstered in leather-cloth, so that the space alongside the driver is available for stowing 'long packages.
All the instruments are grouped In a panel in the centre of the facia board, which includes the refinement of a cubbyhole. Vision for the driver is more than ordinarily good, for in addition to plenty of window space in the cab there are two round lights in the rear doors. A refinement well worth recording is the fact that the lower part of the panelling in the sides of the body is protected by boarding.
Included in the price of 1185 is the item of celluiosing the exterior. Three standard colour schemes are available-blue, green or maroon.