A Special-purpose Petrol-electric Van
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Brief Notes on An American 25-cwt. Vehicle Built for House to house Delivery Work KNOWS as the Thorne petrol-electric delivery unit, is an interesting machine marketed by the Thorne Motor Corporation, 3231. West Lake Street, Chicago. It has a wheelbase of 8 ft., and can carry approximately 1.1 ton. The chassis and body weigh approximately 14 ton in all.
At the front a four-cylindered 18 lip. Continental engine is carried above the axle and the propulsion dynamo is mounted directly on the rear end of the crankcase. The radiator and steering gear are carried in the same detachable cradle as the engine. The frame is cranked downwards behind the front axle and up again to clear the rear axle. The 70-volt, electric motor is mounted just in front of the upswept portion at the rear, and is connected through gearing, two universal joints and a short shaft, to the spiral-bevel, semi-floating rear axle. The overall gear ratio is 11i to 1.
The driver stands when travelling, the load being behind him and within easy reach. As he goes from house to house he has only to ascend or descend a distance of about 1 ft. for each calla considerable saving of physical effort in the course of a long day's delivery duty.
The petrol-electric transmission is a guarantee that smoothness in starting will be maintained throughout the life of the vehicle. This, actually, is a point of considerable importance in work of a house to house
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nature. Lockheed hydraulic four wheel brakes are used. These also reduce to the minimum the effort on the part of the driver.
Body dimensions are as follow :—Inside width, 5 ft.; height from floor, 6 ft.; height of floor over rear axle, 4 ft.; length of driver's compartment, 3-ft. 4 ins. ; length of floor over rear axle, 5 ft. 2 ins. ; door width, 2 ft. 1 in.; door height, 6 ft.
We are indebted to our American contemporary, CommerCial Car Journal, for the details of this unusual machine.