Two Interesting SPECIAL-PURPOSE VEHICLES
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ALTHOUGH the average type of Briton is a go-ahead sort of person, there are many Ways in which he is eclipsed for sheer originality by his
°vet seas confreres. Has anyone in this country, rich enough in this world's goods to enjoy all the facilities offered by wealth, thought of haying a mobile bathroom fitted up for use when camping? It is very much to be doubted, but such an accoutrement on tour would be a veritable godsend when exploring country such as the northern Highlands and many other sparsely populated but nevertheless beautiful districts.
When on a visit to the Morris-Commercial works at Smethwick recently we were Shown two barticularly Interesting vehicles (one of which is fitted ar, a bathroom) built to the order of. His Highness the Ruler of Bhopal for use on big-game-hunting expeditions. The second machine is really a sports car built on the well-known MorrisCommercial six-wheeled chassis.
We will deal first with the bathroom, the body for which was built by Mid land Light Bodies, Ltd., of Coventry As will be realized from a glance af the photographs we reproduce, the in tenor is roomy, and although a deep bath, a sensibly proportioned howlwashing basin, a dressing table and a single_ bed are installed there is ample space available to enable to or three occupants to move about quite freely. The bath is fitted at the forward end and occupies the whole width of the body. An efficient water system is in-. stalled, with a 70-gallon tank fitted into a cabinet immediately behind the
driver's cab, an arrangement for heating the water being incorporated in the design.
Actually there are two tanks, the smaller being a separate entity as it were, whilst the other is fitted with a series of heating pipes working. in conjunction with the cooling system for the engine. Tests have shown that sufficient hot water for a bath can be obtained in quite a short time merely by running the engine, and as a " cold " tank is provided, the temperature of the water can be regulated accordingly. The hand bowl, which is situated beside the bath, is also fitted with hot and cold-water taps together with a drain to the exterior through a suitable pipe running through the floorboards.
An interesting point in the arrangement of the tanks is that the whole of the water is situated well above the level of the taps • consequently a regular flow is obtainable by gravity, no pumping being required in order to fill either the bath or the hand basin: The tank itself is formed in the bulkhead between the driver's seat and the interior of the body.
The whole of the inside is fitted up in a manner such as is usual in the ordinary household bathroota. The dressing table has a swing mirror and ample drawer room is providea for clothes, etc. Again, electric lighting is installed throughout, flush-fitting lamps being incorporated in the construction of the roof, whilst an electric fan is also included in the equipment Ventilation, is assured by glazed vents along raised centre portion of the roof.
In keeping with the whole outfit the interior *is almost entirely white enamelled and all upholstery is carried out in pale blue leather.
Now with regard to the other vehicle —a six-wheeler. As will be seen from the photographs this is in actual fact a two-seater car intended for the private use of the owner, the fourwheeled bogie ensuring that adequate tyre-grip is obtained even on very rough going. In addition to a dickey seat at the rear intended for the use of attendants, there is a large compar:ment for carrying special tracks which, when fixed to the rear wheels, enable the vehicle totravel over practically any gradient and road whether metalled
or otherwise. An unusual electrical equipment is also included, two swivelling searchlights being provided at the back and a powerful single fixed searchlight at the front, whilst a spotlight on each side of the windscreen brings the total of the battery of lamps up to 10. The car is attractively_ finished in a two-colour scheme of grey and blue.