Lightweight Bodies for large vans
Page 52
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APANTECHNICON body with a .capacity of 750 cubic ft., yet weighing only 154 cwt., represents something of an accomplishment in
• coachbuilding. A vehicle consisting of such a body mounted on a modern 3-ton chassis can weigh under 24 tons and, accordingly, is within the 30 m.p.h. class.
Amongst the activities of the Cunard Motor and Carriage Co., Ltd., Chase Road, Acton, London, N.W.10, which include the building of bodies for commercial and private vehicles, and the decoration of van and lorry bodies by artistic designs with high advertising value, a speciality is the construction of large-capacity bodies of extremely moderate weight.
• Since the Commercial Motor Show last year more than 20 pantechnicon bodies of the capacity and weight described above and similar to that illustrated on this page, which is mounted on a Morris-Commercial chassis, have been supplied by the Cunard Co. to prominent furniture removers and con cerns needing a means for the rapid transport of bulky goods.
There are numerous interesting points in their construction. The body cross-members, which, like the whole of the framework, are of ash, are placed on the chassis longitudinals themselves, these being cut off short behind the rear spring mountings. The back part of the floor is 15 ins, below the level of the remainder, giving a loading line 1 ft, 9 ins, high, and extends 3 ft. 6 ins. behind the step. Ills supported on sturdy angle brackets for a part of its length, these being bolted and braced to the main frame, and great strength is imparted to this part of the structure by a substantial cross-bar 61 ins. deep by 2 ins, thick, which forms part of the riser of the step and no small part, in this respect, is played by the Plymax aluminium-faced panelling. Weight is saved by spindling out B42
the waist rails and cant-rails and by the absence of body irons, instead of which four light web plates are used, on each side, at the joints between the pillars and bottom sides. Pillars, waist rails and cant-rails are unbroken throughout their length, their sectional dimensions being n in. by in., 2 ins. by 14 in., and 3 ins. by 21 ins, respectively. The panels are •13,• in. thick, and it is noteworthy that the central joint is forward of the wheel arch, the pillar against which it lies being of larger section than the others.
The top of the body is, of course, square, and is carried on 13 hoop bends, alternate sticks being reinforced by iron plates set edgeways and bolted to the cant-rails by angle irons. Tongued and grooved 1-in. matchboarding forms the roof, which is canvas covered. The inside dimensions are : length, 15 ft. width, 6 ft. Gins. ; height, 7 ft., except at the well, where the height is 8 ft. 3 ins.
The large rear doors can swing back on the sides where they are secured by spring clips. Some ingenuity has been devoted to the design of the rear fastening. A vertical bolt, formed from a steel strip, is fitted on the outside of the right-hand door and slotted to slide on guide pins. To its lower end is hinged a hasp by which it can be secured to a staple on the tailboard by a padlock. Two outside battens stiffen up the tailboard where men will normally tread when entering and leaving the van.
• A construdtional feature of the front part is the use of crow's-foot irons to strengthen the joints between the front wheel-arches, the bottom sides and the screen and door pillars. A seat for two passengers is provided in the cab. Two types of front are available, either straight or raked. The price of this body is 4132.
Constructionally, the latest type Cunard boxvans resemble, in the main, the pantechnicons, but they have rounded tops, full-length hoopsticlls being used, and the roof fronts are steel panelled. • In another direction the concern has recently embarked upon a new system of artistic decoration for vans and lorries designated Moblicity van display. Designs are originated and prepared in colour by an artist, many examples of whose work we examined and judged to be of a high order. They are then enlarged and reproduced on the vehicles by an ingenious process which enables the original to be truth fully repeated by the painters.