COMFORT IN A 35-SEATER COACH.
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A Long-framed Chassis Enables Ample Legroom to be Given Even When 35 People are Accommodated.
WHEN, recently, we were looking over the coachbuilding factory of Steward Works, Ltd., of Steward Street, Spring Hill, Birmingham, our attention was directed towards a 35-seater coach mounted on a Leyland G.H.7 chassis. There was a suggestion of roominess and comfort about the vehicle. that caused us instinctively to seek the methods by which those most desirable attributes had been gained. The accommodation of 35 persons on a coach and to avoid cramping any one of them is not easily accomplished, but, a course the Leyland G.IL7 chassis is ideal course, the purpose, because the frame is of ample length for a body of the type without any portion of the latter overhanging the frame members.
The coach was specially designed by Steward Works, Ltd., for Messrs. Holland Eros., of Oldbury, Birmingham. It has seven rows of seats each with its door, the difficulty of affording easy entrance to the row of seats which is situated above and in line with the wheel arches having been overcome by the provision of a double collapsible step, which is clearly shown in our illustration of the near side of the vehicle. The lower step falls just above the level of the top of the hub cap of the wheel.
The seats are upholstered in the best red leather, each seat being comfortably sprang so as to ensure easy riding even over the roughest of roads. At the rear of each row of seats is a full-length rug rail, whilst ash-trays and match-striking plates are liberally provided. Each seat back is so shaped that the passengers on the seats behind it are able to stretch their legs out to their full extent, the ability to do which is always a source of comfort on a long journey, whilst the inability to do it often distresses a passenger mentally more than it does physically. The floor of the coach is covered with linoleum.
At the rear of the chassis there is a large box of sufficient capacity to carry three boxes each holding 2 dozen bottles of liquid refreshments. The driver is provided with an off-side door and a single step, but a double step is, naturally, given to the passengers' entrances. The screen is a tour-piece structure, very neat in its pillars, thus minimizing obstruction of the view, the metal work being nickel-plated ; the fittings throughout are also plated in the same way, thus contributing to the! general anpearance of the vehicle.
The body, which, by the way, was designed by the works manager of Steward -Works. Ltd., Mr. T. defines, is painted in maroon, with a creamcoloured top roll, and the appearance is thus very refined, with a combination of lightness and boldness which is introduced by the cream-coloured roll. The owners' name is painted on the back panel in gold-leaf letters shaded white and green.
A complete Bosch lighting set and electric horn have been fitted, this equipment being supplied by Chas. FitzEiugh, Ltd., of Birmingham. Messrs. Holland Bros. are extremely pleased with the vehicle and are placing repeat orders. They have let the coach in question for every day of the current season until well into Septembet