COUR"

25th September 1964, Page 166

25th September 1964

Page 166

Page 167

Page 166, 25th September 1964 — COUR"

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rogress

TODAY Earls Court opens its doors to the public for the 22nd Comm, cial Motor Show. Not for many years have there been so many nt models—important new models in most cases—to be seen at this maj event for the commercial vehicle industry. Many of the new ranges of goc chassis are designed to meet the amendments to the U.K. Construction a Use Regulations and the fact that these have been in effect only a mor gives an added interest to the Show.

It is not only vehicle design changes to allow increased gross weight ti make a visit to Earls Court a must for anyone in road transport, howev for there are significant changes in other directions. Not all the new mod are goods: there are three new passenger chassis and changes to others; a not all the new goods models are maximum-legal-gross chassis: one is light van.

In the case of goods chassis design, the trend towards more power] engines is evident; better braking and improved cabs are other noticeal moves. To meet the requirement for higher power, there has been a mark swing by manufacturers who use proprietary engines to the fitting Cummins units—five goods vehicle makers and one passenger vehicle mak have Cummins V units in their new exhibits, not always chosen from t high-power angle but for the compactness of these units.

Braking improvements include the use of dual-circuit systems to gi added safety, and various forms of powered secondary brakes to meet t requirements specified in the new Regulations.

New cabs introduced at the Show cannot but please any driver who 8( them. Comfort, interior trim, visibility and general convenience are of high order and it is fair to say that British cabs now compare favourat with their oft-praised Continental counterparts. Not before time, heaters z given their true importance and are fitted as standard in many cases. Mai tenance personnel will be pleased to see the degree of accessibility afford by tilt cabs, three of the new models having this feature. In the passenger sphere design continues to progress, Irticularly with regard to the engine, for on the three ,tw single-decker passenger chassis the power unit is at the areme rear of the chassis; this was made practicable with .e 0era1l length being increased to 36 ft. two-and-a-half >ars ago, and enables near ideal, road distribution over e front and rear axles.

The review of exhibits which follows gives full details the vehicles to be seen on the 28 stands occupied by tassis manufacturers—one less than at the last Show >cause Triumph and Standard are out and Austin rornpton Parkinson Electric Vehicles Ltd. are in. There ill be others in the Demonstration Park which have not cessarily been referred to, as makers often decide on !monstrators only at the last minute. Goods and passenr bodywork is covered on pages 253-264 of this issue. Ld trailer-makers exhibits described on pages 269-272. The Show is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Kcepi Sunday, September 27) until Saturday, October 3. lore 5 p.m. on weekdays the admission charge is 5s.; ter 5 p.m. this is reduced to 2s. 6d. On the two Saturdays at the Show is open. admission costs 2s. 6d. all day.

0-A.E.C.