DISTRIBUTING MOTORCYCLES BY LIGHT VAN.
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Using One Means of Transport to Carry Another. A Van Employed as a Travelling . Showroom.
THE LIGHT van is daily becoming more ubiquitous. It is being used in almost every sphere of activity where the carrying of goods of moderate weight has to be undertaken with the utmost despatch. To all users, from the large stores to the grocer in a small way ot business, the light van is proving an asset of the utmost value, and without it many of the comprehensive delivery systems which have been evolved would quickly collapse ; in fact, one can hardly realize the extent to which trade would stagnate it through some extraordinary measure, all the light vans were sad
withdrawn from their work.
Purely for transport needs the van has proved essential, but, apart from this it is being employ& in many ways nos
allied to -ordinary delivery work. For instance, the vehicle which we illustrate oil this page, both as regards its exterior and interior, is one specially built for Hewin's Garages and Engineering Co., Ltd., Corporation Street, Taunton, for use in the sale and distribution et their Ii.E.C. motorcycles.
In the body there is just sufficient room for three machines to be taken at a load, and each motorcycle is secured by means of clamps, so that movement while the van is in motion. is impossible. This freedom from moving about in the vehicle is most important, as vibration would rapidly damage the machines it they were allowed to jolt against each other, or to rub against the sides of the body.
The company discovered, aftersome coniiaerable experience, that if a traveller calls on an -agent and be riding a machine the finish of which can barely be seen for dirt, if it runs well, he is fre
quently told that. his must. be a special machine. The feeling of the makers is that the small agent likes to see and try the actual machine that he is buying, and to get immediate delivery on pay ment of his cheque to their, traveller. ,
On long journeys, where it-would be to expensive a matter to return by road for further supplies of machines, these are sent to fixed points by rail, so that the falling stock can he replenished without leaving the district or districts in which the van is operating.
The company have now been using this van for the past six months with very successful results; in fact., in its dual capacity as a travelling advertisement and as a mobile showroom, it is stated by them that, it. has proved of inestimable value.
Not content with using the yan for the purpese of carrying machines, it is pot to still further use, for in the evenings it. is fitted out as a wireless van. To effect this, a suitable receiving set is carried aild a poitable frame aerial is fixed to the roof. During the time the broadcasting stations are transmitting their wireless concerts, it visits the villages in the locality in which it is operating, its loud-speaker forming a great attraction to the residents. Needless to say, these concerts are much appreciated and give excellent opportunities for the distribution of motorcycle. advmotising and wire'less propaganda.
If any of our readers are likely to be interested in similar vane for their own purposes, the company will be very pleased, on request, to furnish any further information which lies within their power.
A reference to our illustrations will show that the body is strikingly decorated with vertical stripes, both at4the sides and back. The driver is well protected by a windscreen of full height and a cab provided with glass side windows and side doors: The body appears to be somewhat long for the Ford chassis, but it will be seen from the interiory'view that the motorcycles are carried well forward, and much of the weight. is in front of the rear axle.'