REBUILT CHASSIS FOR SALOON BUSES.
Page 21
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Description of the Procedure Adopted by a Company who Specialize on Reconditioning Wmk, with Particular Reference to a 26-seater Saloon Bus.
-0011, a vehicle to give of its best in
passenger-vehicle service it must be composed of a well-built chassis, which is mechanically sound and reliable, and a properly constructed body, in the design of which due attention has been given to the individual's comfort or convenience. The first consideration is not necessarily a bar to the use of chassis which have already seen service in other transport spheres, providing they be properly reconditioned or rebuilt and modified, perhaps strengthened, at certain points, to suit the exacting require
ments of public-service work. It is certainly essential that every detail, and more particularly those parts subject to rapid wear, be carefully examined and replaced, if advisable, in order to avoid the user being faced with costly repair bills after the vehicle has seen but a short term of service in its new guise.
In this connection we are impressed With the care which AlIdays Commercial Motors, Ltd., 78, Jernayn Street, London, S.W.1, exercise in the general over hauling and reconditioning of chaSsis of various types, amongst which, we. are told, they have dealt with and supplied more than 300 Lancias: Many of these chassis have been 'delivered for passenger work, some carrying 21-seater bus bodies and others bodies to 'seat 26 passengers.
We recently had an opportunity of inspecting an example of the -larger type
of bus supplied to the order of the Coalvine Bus Co., Ltd., of Leicester. From the illustrations which we are able to publish it is apparent that the vehicle is not-a makeshift or improvised type, but a neatly designed and well-proportioned model suitable in every respect for passenger transport.
Before proceeding to a brief description of the body we might refer to the usual procedure adopted by .the cant party in rebuilding chassis, and to the chief replacements and modifications made in reconditioning the Z-type Lancia chassis forming the basis of this bus.
In the first place, the wheelbase has been iengthened to 14 ft. Si ins, by the use of entirely new frame members of
greater length, these being strengthened by additional cross-members. The rear springs have been reinforced in view of the load capacity and to give the maximum comfort to passengers. It is, of course, also necessary to employ a longer cardan shaft and a new component of high-tensile steel is fitted.
Special attention is given to details of the engine. The cylinders are either rebored or replaced, according to their condition and length of use, but in each case new pistons, complete with rings, gudgeon pins and bushes, are employed. The crankshaft is reground and fitted with gunmetal-eased white-metal-lined bearings, in lieu of the standard die-cast white-metal bearings.
A new arrangement of the oil pipes Is also incorporated in order to ensure at all times a satisfactory head of oil in B28 the oil-pump suction pipe leading from the sump.
The company inform us that when rebuilding a chassis of this type it is their practice completely to dismantle each unit and to replace worn parts with genuine Lancia spares, with the exception of the engine bearings and the special propeller shaft.
Other chassis details receive due attention, and one notable modification concerns the petrol-filler device on the fuel tank, a special spout being added to enable replenishment to be accomplished from outside the vehicle ; this is a very desirable factor on passengercarrying vehicles.
So far as the body of_the Coalville bus is concerned it is built up of ash framework, being constructed as light as possible commensurate with rigidity, and strengthened with steel kusset plates. The exterior panelling is carried out in sheet‘steel,the scuttle and rear corners being beaten to shape. All panels are turned in and fastened to the framing, exposed joints being welded and the others covered with half-roun I mouldings. The -interior is panelled in birch plywood.
As we have-already said, the body is a 26-seater, i.e., with 25 paying seats, 9 patisengers being accommodated in a rear compartment, which is separated from the fro liC portion by a semi-glazed partition, and can be used as a smoking section if necessary. The introduction of this partition also serves the purpose of strengthening the body at its weakest point, i.e., over the wheel arches. The seats are arranged in the conventional manner on each side of a central gangway, which gives adequate headroom, albeit the roof, which presents a domed appearance, has a camber of 18 ins.
The seats themselves have spring-steel backs and are upholstered in leather on deep spring, cases they give ample legroom. The rear seat extends across the full width of the body, but the centre portion, covering the emergency door, is hinged and is arranged to fall outwards, when the door is opened, in order to form a convenient step. The light in the emergency door carries the inscription, "Emergency door. To open, break glass and pull lever," the wording being clearly discernible from outside.
There are five drop windows in each side of the body as well as two fixed D-section lights at the rear. The drop windows are of the frameless pattern, and, being fitted with patent balances, can be regulated as to height and fixed in any position.
The passenger entrance is on the near side at the front and is of the two-piece folding pattern. As is customary with one-man-controlled-type buses, it is under the direct control of the driver, who, by the way, reaches his seat by a dour on the off side.
We have indicated that due thought has been given to interior ventilation. and the aubject of lighting has also been properly considered. There are four roof lights in the front passenger compartment and one lamp centrally dis
posed in the :rear portion. A spring blind is fitted in front of the partition separating the driver's seat from the oecupants of the interior in order to avoid refraction. The lighting is attended to by a C.A.V. set, similar to that used on the company's standard 20-21-seater body, except that a larger battery is -uaed in view of the extra number of lamps.
In lien of hardwood wearing slats for -the floorboard i the company now fit special cast-iron tread plates, which can more readily be brushed out and have a longer .life.
The finish of the bus is tasteful without being fanciful, the general build of the body, the V-shaped nickel-plated windscreen, the domed wings of the Van den Phis type, the side lifeguards and other details undoubtedly contributing to its graceful and dignified appearance.
The vehicle is capable of a good road performance and, being shod with pnenmatie tyres—six interchangeable Goodrich Gorda, 935 ram. by 135 ram., are fitted on disc wheels as standard—can attain high average speeds without discomforting passengers. Arrangements are made for carrying a spare wheel and tyre. Cushion tyres or large-size pneumatics can be fitted as optional equipment.
The price of the complete bus is 1825, and such vehicles carry a six months' guarantee, or, alternatively, the company guarantee the vehicle for 25,000 milek.
We are given to understand that many of the users to whom Alldays Commercial Motors, Ltd., have supplied similar machines are obtaining an average of 12.5 miles to the gallon of fuel consumed and 400-500 miles for a like quantity of oil.