Sales-propaganda Vans for Big Operators
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Representative Examples of a Type of Vehicle that Has Unequalled Merits In Certain Classes of Publicity Service NOT long ago considered something of a novelty in transport circles, display vans are now being extensively employed by many of the foremost manufacturers, who have found them valuable sales adjuncts. The two smart vehicles shown in accompanying pictures are both based on Commer chassis, and furnish some indication of the increasing use that is being made of this class of publicity media.
The vehicle operated by British Ropes, Ltd., possesses, with its wellswept lines, accentuated by good use of a yellow and green 'colour scheme, and the contours of the polished mouldings, an imposing exterior appearance. The curved frontal design of the driver's compartment (for two persons), merging into the clerestory roof, large chromium bumper bar, and wheel discs with chromium-plated naves add to the attractiveness of the machine.
Entrance to the interior is through a wide door at the rear, and this affords access to the numerous showcases which flank the gangway. These cases have sliding windows, and each is brilliantly illuminated by four 12-volt lamps, taking their current supply from a heavy duty battery, which is kept correctly charged by a bus-type constantvoltage dynamo.
Below the showcases are several lockers with sliding doors, and these, like all the interior wood fittings, are of polished mahogany. The front bulkhead is taken up by additional showcase and locker, which are larger than the others. Above these is situated a clock, the numerals having been replaced by the words "British Ropes."
Interior illumination is primarily provided by glass windows in the clerestory roof, but electric lighting is also embodied. The builder of this body was Northern Coachbuilders. Ltd., of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which mounted it on a Commer N2 chassis. The second display van is used as an advertising medium by Joseph Crosfield and Sons, Ltd., the wellknown Warrington concern of soap manufacturers. The bodywork was carried out by J. H. Jennings and Son, Ltd., of Sandbach, which achieved a pleasing and practical streamlined styling by curving the front of the driver's fully enclosed cab and continuing this flowing line rearwards through the full length of the body. This is enhanced by the contours of the polished mouldings and the lines of the rear wings, which practically enclose
the wheels. The chassis, in this instance, is a Commer LN5. Three exterior showcases, all of which can be illuminated, are fitted—one on the off side and two on the near side—and in these are boldly displayed gifts provided under the operator's coupon-exchange scheme. Between the near-side cases, a hinged section can be raised to shelter the counter from which the gifts and advertising material are distributed. A built-in loudspeaker at the rear is another feature.
The interior is well equipped with shelves and cupboards and access to it is gained by means of a sliding door opening into the driver's cab, immediately beside the near-side seat. Swept glass lights in the dome cant-rails admit the maximum of daylight to the interior, whilst adequate ventilation is maintained by lift-up vents in the roof.
The first vehicle was supplied through The Minories Garage of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and the other through Rootes, Ltd., the London distributor for Commer products.