New Thames Van is Fast and Smart

24th September 1954, Page 96

24th September 1954

Page 96

Page 96, 24th September 1954 — New Thames Van is Fast and Smart

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Based on Anglia Car Chassis with 66-cu.-ft. All-welded Body : Independent Front Wheel Suspension

THE new Thames 5-cwt. delivery van, details of which are announced today, combines smart appearance with lively performance and a useful payload capacity. It has allsfeel integral construction of body and chassis frame and a four-cylindered petrol engine, and employs many components that are in use in the new Ford Anglia private car. External aspect is far more important to a small-van user than it is to operators of heavy goods vehicles, and this new van is smart enough to enhance any fleet.

Side-valve Engine

The power unit is the Ford 1,172 c.c. side-valve engine which now develops 36 b.h.p. at 4,400 r.p.m., with a maximum torque rating of 52 lb.-ft. at 2,500 r.p.m. The engine has a three-bearing crankshaft, aluminium-alloy pistons and cast-iron cylinder head. Ignition is by 12-v. coil and petrol is cirried in a sevengallon tank located beneath the van floor on the off side of the vehicle, whence it is fed to the Solex downdraught carburetter by an AC diaphragm-lift pump.

Hydraulic operation is provided for the withdrawal mechanism of the singledry-plate clutch, the master cylinder for this being mounted on the front bulkhead adjacent to the brake master cylinder. Both pedals are pendant. The three-speed gearbox has synchromesh engagement for second and top gears, and the gear lever is mounted centrally in the cab floor.

Three-point flexible suspension is used for the engine and gearbox, with rubber units in compression and shear on both sides of the cylinder block near its forward end and a semi-circular two-rubber unit in shear at the rear of the gearbox tail extension, A one-piece propeller shaft, with enclosed splined joint at the gearbox, transfers the drive to the spiral-bevel final drive of the three-quarter-floating rear axle. This gearing provides a reduction ratio of 4.429 to 1 and a similar component is used in the Anglia and Prefect cars.

Rubber shackle pins are employed for the rear suspension, which consists of long semi-elliptic springs. Telescopic double-acting dampers are fitted, and this results in a smooth ride, which is a particular asset when fragile goods are carried.

Front suspension is similar to that used in the car and consists of large coil springs mounted on hydraulic double-acting dampers, each assembly being integral with the stub-axle swivels. Stabilizer bars are fitted to each unit and are attached to the front of the underframing.

Worm and peg steering gear acts through a divided track rod. The twospoked steering wheel

has a diameter of 16 in. Gir: hydraulic braking is effective on wheels, the front wheels having t. leading-shoe units. The drums are 7 in diameter and l, in. wide, givin total frictional area of 67.2 sq. in. ' pull-up hand-brake lever is pla centrally in the cab floor and acts the rear wheels only.

Electrical equipment is 12 v. throu out, with a 40-amp.-hour battery loca under the bonnet on the off side of engine. Instruments are grouped ii panel mounted on the steering colu and comprise a speedometer with m age recorder, fuel gauge, ammetser z oil warning light.

Twin Rear Doors

The body and frame are an all-web assembly with deep swagings in the r. and side panels to provide additio rigidity. The twin rear doors doub!e-panelled and have check sti which hold them open at 90°. A thr way lock is provided.

The steel floor has wide semi-circu wheel-arches, but there is a reasona wide level floor space between flit The loading height at the rear is 23 when the van is unladen.

Two wide, forward-hinged do allow easy entry and exit to the c The standard van has only one seat,' space on the left of the cab floor be occupied by the spare wheel. When t seats are fitted the spare wheel may stowed vertically against the body si

The van is available for export w left-hand drive. When specified thus passenger seat is fitted as standard a the spare wheel is carried in the bo, The driving comfort is of the sa standard to be expected from a priv. car, and the well-upholstered seat adjustable for position in a fore-andplane.

The body capacity without additioi seat is 66+ cu. ft. and the overall leng of the vehicle is 11 ft. 31in., with width of 5 ft. 01 in. The van weig 15 cwt. unladen, allowing a gross weig of 1 ton with 5.60-13-in. tyres.