A. Darracq and Co., Ltd.
Page 16
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Exhibit :—A Good Range of Gabs and Small Delivern Vans.
The dominant note on the Darracq stand, whose occupier's London offices are in Walnut Tree Walk, S.E., is struck by the taxicab. The company confines its activities in the petrol-propelled branch of its commercial business to small machines of the cab and light delivery-van order. It will be remembered, by those acquainted with the trade, that the Darracq group, some while back, absorbed the Serpollet steam-vehicle cmtern, with with the idea of producing machines built on this system for all the heavier capacity classes. This policy has now, for some while, been carried out most succesSfully. A full account of the Darracq-Serpollet exhibit at the present show appears elsewhere in this report (Part 1).
The chief feature of the latest type of small Darracq chassis is undoubtedly the carryingof the gear box on the back axle, a form of construction which was extensively talked about at the last uleasure-vehicle show, as the "no gear box " type. We do not find ourselves strictly in accord with this description, as the gear box still remains, although its position is altered. There is no doubt, however, that this form of construction renders it very easy to remove the back axle, and practically the whole of the transmission gear; in the event of a failure in that portion of the gear, another unit, of similar construction, can be rapidly slipped into position.
The Darracq Company is fortunate in being able to stage such arepre sentative trio of cabs; one is for the London United Cab Co., Ltd.; another for the General Motor Cab Co,, Ltd.; and the third for the New York Taxicab Company. We understand the last-named company is taking delivery of soo machines, of which that .staged is an example.
The mechanical details of the latest form of Darracq cab were fully described and illustrated in our issue dated the 28th November, 1907. The vans and the travellers.' b otu..4harn exhibited are mounted orf.chassis of similar design to the cabs.
A feature which is justly claimed by the exhibitors as a great advantage, from the garage point of view, is the method of attachment of the two principal units, i.e.,. the engine and the gear box, to the frame and the back axle respectively. It is never necessary to endeavour to effect repairs on either unit while it is in place, the manipulation of four nuts in each case enabling the fitter to take the damaged engine or gear box down, and to replace it with a new one. In this way, the cab is not laid up for any appreciable time, and the damaged part can be repaired at leisure. Two types of cabs are marketed : the To-12h.p., two-cylinder; and the 14-16h.p., four-cylinder. Excellent examples of other uses to which these small chassis can be put are furnished be the laundry van, the commercial traveller's brougham, and the station or jobmaster's cab, as exhibited on this stand_