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The Austin Release,

25th January 1917
Page 14
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Page 14, 25th January 1917 — The Austin Release,
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A Number 431 2-3-ton Chassis, with War-suggested Improvements, Available for Commercial Users.

When the story of the war comes to be written, there will be found, in that large book which deals with the part borne by the industrial half, a very significant and important chapter dealing with the work of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd. When that time comes; the details of the affair which at the moment forms an important topic of conversation in commercial-vehicle circles, both to owners and to users alike, will be made public. The present moment is not politic for such disclosure. It is only permissible to state that, owing to unforeseen causes which reflect nothing but credit upon the Austin organization and workmanship, a comparatively large but limited number of Austin 2-3-ton chassis are at the disposal of commercial users. That this release will be welcomed goes withoat saying. The years that have passed since the Manchester Show in 1913, at which the Austin commercial vehicle, by reason of its unique design, formed the centre of attraction, have served to show that the characteristic quality of Austin touring cars is reproduced in the newer and heavier product of the well-known Northfield,concern. Recent events have attracted, or have compelled by force of circumstances, many new users of motor vehicles for commercial purposes. In consequence, there may be many. who know little of the Austin beyond the name ; for their benefit it will no doubt be advisable for us to outline in brief the Austin construction, drawing attention to the soecial features of its design. Older readers and users, too, will, welcome the reminder.

The Two-three-tonners Only Available.

The model of Austin commercial vehicle of which several hundreds are now available was fully described in our issoe of 13th February, 1913; a later reference occurred in our issue of the 14th September last, and previous to that we described the 5-ton chassis on the 24th February of last year.

Brief Specification.

In brief, the specification embodies a 25 h.p. four-cylinder engine, cone clutch, gearbox of the selective type, with gale change,

embodying four speeds forward and one reverse, the final drive being one of the several special features of Austin design, inasmuch as two propeller shafts are used, diverging from the gearbox to bevel gears, a pair of which are encased and carried at each end of the rear axle, serving to drive the rear wheels direct. Other special features are : the positioning of the radiator, which is behind instead of before the engine, the cooling being effected by what is practically forced draught caused by a fan enclosed within a cowl before the cooler ; the frame, of which the main side members may be described as—fpr want of a better term—lattice girders, and which are so deep that the rear axle floats bestween their upper and lower flanges the springing, which in the case of the rear axle is by two pairs of semi-elliptical springs disposed two above, and two below the axle ; the centrally-pivoted front wheels which, with the other features of the steering gear, combine to give ease of direction of the chassis in the most adverse circumstances.

These are the principal points : space does not permit of our going any further into detail. Interested readers are referred to our previous descriptions or to the Austin Co.'s publication, which deals exhaustively and fully with the design and construction of this vehicle.

War-time Experience Embodied.

• The present is an opportunity for obtaining a goods-carrying vehicle of approved design and of British make which will be generally welcomed. There are other considerations, however, which make this particular release of striking importance. In these Austin vehicles are embodied the results of experiences gained On this greatest of all reliability trials, which commenced August, 1914.. Users are being afforded the opportunity to pur3hase now "after-the-peace" Austin chassis.

The Detail Improvements.

These experiences have been responsible for many detailed improvements. Perhaps the most important of several which were communicated to us on the occasion of a special visit are the substitution of the Auto-Vac system of petrol feed for the pressure system previously employed, the 0 per cent. increase in the friction surface of the clutch, the utilizatIon of nickelchrome steel for the gears instead of the ordinary mild case-hardened steel, and the replacement of the ball thrust bearings at the ends of the differential shaft by others which are heavier and stronger. A curious and unexpected alteration is in relation to the footbrake drum. This has been made smaller ; the reason given is that with the drum previously fitted overstraining of the mechanism resulted from the sudden application of this too powerful brake.

Detailed improvements, not perhaps of such striking importance as those named above, but still interesting as showing the effect which experiences , of strenuous usage that has taken place, more particularly in Russia, has had upon design, are as follow : The main bearing bolts of the ensine crankcase are now carried right through to the top, thus relieving the casting of any strain due to the explosion impulses: As concerning the foot brake, a feature of Austin construction in connection with this unit has been the utilization of cast brake shoe, simple in design and easily replaced. It has not been customary to line these shoes with any renewable material. Now, however, and for the future, a Ferodo lining is to be fitted. One of the unique points about the Austin chassis is that relating to the suspension of the footbrake drum itself, this being carried on the frame, the con,nection from the brake drum to thetransmission shaft being through the medium of a short universally jointed shaft. Incorporated in th3 design of these joints is ti square driving socket, which previously was cast integral with the brake drum. This is now made separately in case-hardened steel, and bolted to the drum.

Agency and Price.

Before closing, "we should point out in connection with these Austin chassis, and having regard to the importance which the question of agents and the sale of commercial vehicles is now assuming, Austin commercial vehicles have always been sold through agents. The prewar selling plan With very little modification will be adhered to Sfter the peace, and these special vehicles are also being sold through the usual Austin channels. At £695, these chassis are attractive propositions indeed.

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