Answers to Queries.
Page 19
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Protos Vans.
`.WHEELSwrite : We should be obliged if
you could inform us the maker of the Protos vans." AssiswErt.—The name and address which you require are as follow : Motorenfabrik-Protos, Gr. Gorschenstrasse 38, Berlin.
Licences for Combined Vehicles.
[1,674i SostEttsET" writes:—"! would esteem it a favour if you will be good enough to inform me what are the total licences, etc., required, and the respective costs of same to place a two-ton and a four-ton petrol vehicle on the road, each machine intended for combined passenger and goods transport To what authority or source is application made for same 1"
ANswER. -You will get the information which you want from Answer to Query No. 1,845 (issue of the 27th „fitly last). You apply to the clerk of the nearest borough council or county council. No lien:ice to ply for hire is required unless you mean to pick up casual passengers on the roadside, as you can undertake private hiring work without a licence to ply for hire.
"Buyers' Guides."
[1,875] " BRUISE MOTORCAR MAKERS'? write :--"We
are again seriously turning our attention to commer cial vehicles, and we write to ask if you have recently published a buyers' guide which would give some particulars of the different types of vehicles now manufactured. If so, we would be glad if you would furnish us with five copies of same, or, if such information has been published in a recent issue of your paper, perhaps you would be good enough to let us have the same number of copies of this."
ANSWER.—It is not our custom to publish "buyers guides," as we find that they are generally of more use to manufacturers than to bona-fide intending purchasers. Your inquiry bears out the correctness of that view.
Motorcab Enterprise.
11,876] "K.W.C." writes " With regard to taxi
cab business, I am looking for the following details of information :—Purchase cost of complete cab ; average yearly maintenance for three years ; yearly maintenance for tires ; percentage of cabs on the road and in repair (average for the year) ; what payments are made to the drivers, and what does the driver pay ? "
"Two important points I want to know are the yearly maintenance for tires, and the percentage of cabs on the road. If you give a mileage figure, please state if it refers to a cab company running 100 cabs or one running a thousand or two. I understand that the cost of upkeep greatly increases with the increase of the quantity of cabs, on account. of the fact that it is much more difficult to get 1,000 good cabdrivers than it is to get 100."
ANSWER.—We refer you to our issue of the 6th October last. The figures are .still applicable, and they will probably meet your requirements. First cost varies, according to whether the cabs have twocylinder or four-cylinder engines. Drivers are paid 25 per cent. of the amounts registered on the taximeter, take all tips, and generally appropriate all the extras, and pay for their own petrol. No figure can be stated for the yearly maintenance of tires, as this is clearly a mileage figure, and the best results are in the neighbourhood of 1.1d. per mile run. The best-managed companies keep an average of 85 per cent. of their cabs on the road all the year round, hut some of the companies which cannot attract good drivers fall well below 60 per cent. The figure given is applicable to any well-managed cab company, whether large or small, and is excelled by some of the best companies. Concerning iiu'rkopp Vehicles.
1.1,877] " .DEVONIA.N " writes:—" Could you kindly tell me if in. any of your issues there have appeared particulars of the Dtirkopp motorbuses, and if so would you please send me the copies ?" ANSWER. -Diirkopp motorbuses have not been marketed in England, so far as we. are aware, for some years. The Dilrkopp factory is at Bielefeld, Westphalia. No description of the chassis has appeared in TUE COMMERCIAL MOTOR for at least five years, and, apart from the fact that the old issues are out of print, they would be absolutely out of date in respect of present-day construction. The Bielefelder Maschinen-Fabrik vormals Diirkopp and Co., Bielefeld, is not only still making chassis of all kinds, but recently strengthened itself in the Berlin district by purchasing the Oryx works.
Radiator Tubes.
[1,878] " ENGINEERS " write : We should be very much obliged if you would give us the name of any English companies who make thin metal tubes, provided with gills, usually used in building motorcar radiators." ANSWER.—We suggest that you write to the Spiral Tube and Components Co. Ltd., of Caledonia Street, King's Cross, N. The ordinary type of gilled tubes, with either round or square gills, are generally made up as required by radiator manufacturers, any of Whom. we have no doubt, would quote you for special requirements. Amongst i he well-known radiator manufacturers are :
The Randle Radiator Co., Spon Street, Coventry.
Coventry Motor Fittings Co., Ltd., Far Gos ford Street, Coventry.
Lamplough and Sons, Ltd., Albany Works, Willesden Junction, N.W.
Doherty Motor Accessories Co., Coventry.
J. H. Randall, Green Street Works, Padding
tOTI , W.
A Lotis for Sale.
[1,5791 "A WELSH OWNER" writes : —"I have a longbase Lotis van that I am willing to part with, providing I get my priceotherwise, I keep it.. I bought it under exceptional cireurestances, as new. It had only been on the road a month. I have used it this season for carrying passengers locally-14 with driver. She takes any hill about here full up, which is saying a lot, for the gradients are big. According to the reading of query No. 1,861, I think it a unique chance for these people to get a genuine second-hand vehicle, as good as new, for a very reasonable figure, viz., £275 net cash. I do not want to say more than that the vehicle is open to your or their strictest investigation and trial, and by that you will at once know that. I am offering something good. The reason I am parting (if get my price) is that my experience has taught me that I can do with a larger vehicle to carry more people. It has a 20-24 h.p., two ignitions, four-cylinder engine all perfect, de Nevers tires (solids), twin on rear wheels, original top (laid by in store) and canopy top on it now for the passenger traffic, paint not scratched. On view, in work, any time or by appointment. I may at once say that I shall not entertain anything lower in price, so that will simplify the matter. It cost, on leaving the Lotis works, £425." ANSWER.—We can express no' opinion about the price which a querist to this journal might be inclined to pay, but we will forward a suitable letter if you care to address it to us for the purpose. [Subsequently done.—En.]