An Addition to the Bedford Range
Page 45
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n meet the transport of a rclass of user thought by the company to be inadequately catered for by vehicle makers, Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., Luton, has introduced a new model, which, whilst essentially a goods vehicle, has a commodious and comfortable cab and a performance comparable with that of a private car. It is called the Bedford Utility Wagon, and is intended to serve tradesmen whose goods cannot conveniently be handled in a small van yet do not justify a larger lorry, house decorators and the like, hotel proprietors, estate owners, small farmers and so forth.
Built for 6-cwt. pay-loads, the vehicle has as its basis the 10 h.p. chassis and it incorporates a lorry body with a floor 5 ft. 01 in. long, and 4 ft. 11, ins. wide (3 ft. Olt in. between the wheel arches), and sides 1 ft. 5i ins. high.
In standard form, the cab is providedwith two bucket seats, upholstered in leather cloth, and, thus equipped, the model costs £145. In de luxe form, there is a full-width tubular-steel saloon-type seat with leather
upholstery, the extra cost being E8 10s.
Noteworthy chassis features include independent front suspension, synchromesh top and second gears, " sixphase " carburation, positive cylinderbore lubrication, and dual thermostat temperature control.
With regard to the first of these, the system incorporates torsion-bar springs, the action of which is controlled by auxiliary coil springs and oil-damping devices, giving progressive and sensitive action and tending to check roll. This form of suspension should be a definite asset in the negotiation of rough country.
In the gearbox, all the pinions have helical teeth, whilst the selector mechanism includes a device to prevent bad gear changing. A feature of the carburetter is the provision made for supplying a weak mixture at light loads, with the result that highly economical running is obtained—a figure of 35 m.p.g. being claimed.
The fourth and fifth features named above promote long life without rebor ing. Cylinder lubrication is effected
by discharging oil sprays from holes in the big-endbearings. Quick heatingup is ensured by a thermostat which prevents circulation of the cooling water until a pre-determined temperature is reached. Proper vaporization of the petrol is accelerated, after starting up, by a second thermostat which operates a valve directing the exhaust gases into an induction-pipe jacket until the system is thoroughly warmed up.
Turning to the coachwork, the lorry body comprises a hard-wood frame panelled with Oregon pine, the sides and hinged tailboard being topped with a protective metal strip. Constructed in accordance with the company's car practice, the cab has winding frameless windows, safety glass all round, and the usual saloon-car cubby holes, and instrument panel. The rear window is equipped with a roller blind.
Taken as a whole the machine certai-nly has a smart and pleasing appearance, and its make-up and equipment seem fully to comply with the requirements suggested by its maker's description of this new vehicle—" for business and pleasure."