Bodies.
Page 42
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Several examples of the highest art of the coach-builder are to be seen at Olympia, but, since the builder of commercial-vehicle bodies is generally strictly limited as to price, and is instructed to waste no space, one does not look for the same artistic finish, or design, as in vehicles exclusively intended for private use. Nevertheless, if true art consists in the effective utilisation of means to a definite end, the standard of art is very high indeed.
Christopher Dodson, Ltd., of Horseferry Road, S.W., has examples on several stands. The finest motorbus body in the show is certainly that built by this company for the Metropolitan Steam Omnibus Co., Ltd., and shown on the Darracq-Serpollet stand (35). The inside seats are arranged so that three single seats on the near side, and two double seats on the off side, face directly forwards, and these are springhack seats, patented by Dodson 's, which are particularly comfortable. Behind these are longitudinal seats accommodating three on the near side, and five on the off side. The pillars are of a patented construction, by which a Tsteel is let into the wooden pillar, so that it can be made of much smaller dimensions than if it were all wood.
Two single-deck motorbus bodies, built by this company fur the Great Western Railway, are shown on the company's own stand (58), and on that of MiInes-Daimler, Ltd. (53). Each of these vehicles is entered from the back, and there are two rows of four seats, each facing forwards, and eight seats behind, arranged longitudinally. The cross seats are Dodson's patent, as already described, but the gang-way seat is made to lift up to allow passengers to pass, and a cushioned back-rest can also be swung out of the way. These bodies, which are a standard type on the Great Western Railway, are made to carry luggage on the roof, for which purpose an iron ladder is provided at the rear. The company also shows on its own stand (58) a 26-seated char-a. banes body built for the Great Western Railway. All the seats face forwards, and the body is wide enough to take five abreast, with a folding gang-way seat in the centre. The entrance is in front, and the floor slopes upwards towards the back, so that each row is three inches above that in front. All the seats are Dod.son's patent. The back and front are closed in, and removable windows are provided at the sides.
Two other motorbus bodies built by this company are staged in the hall, one on the Electrobus chassis (Stand 25), and one on the Greenwood and Batley chassis (Stand 26). A very handsome hotel-omnibus body by this company has been fitted to an i8h.p. Wolseley-Siddeley chassis, and is exhibited by Messrs. Howes and Sons (Stand 6). The finish, both of the exterior, and of the interior and fittings, is fully as luxurious as that of a private car, so that it makes a particularly creditable exhibit. The van bodies on the MilnesDaimler stand (53) are also by Dodson.
J. Liversidge and Son, Ltd,, of 561, Old Kent Road, S.F. (Stand 74), is showing a unique body on a DarracqSerpollet chassis, built for the ChotaNagpur Motor Service Co., Ltd. This body (see illustration) has been built to the designs of Mr. C. M. Hills, the managing director of the purchasing company, and is one of three that are to be shipped out to India next month. Accommodation is provided for first, second, and third class passengers, and for mails and luggage on the roof. Sun blinds have to be provided to counteract the fierce Indian sun, and louvres, instead of windows, except in front. The condenser has been removed to the roof, but even this has to be protected from the sun, if it is to prove efficient, and a deflector screen is arranged to cause the draught to spread between all the rows of tubes. The bock, is probably the largest seen on a threeton chassis, and weighs fully two tons empty. The chassis has had to be stiffened up in many details, and the vehicle probably exceeds the legal tare weight in this country. It is, however, a very remarkable one, and well worthy of examination.
This company also exhibits a handsome single-deck body on a Straker. Squire chassis, seating 23 passengers inside (five have their backs to the driver, and there are two corner seats at the back; the others face forwards).
A small single-deck body, built by this company to the order of the Midland Railway, is shown on the Wolseley stand (52). It seats 12 passengers, six on each side, and is constructed to. take luggage on the roof,
Bayley's, Ltd., of 42, Newington Causeway, SE,, has a very handsome char-a-bancs body on the Commercial Cars stand (37), which vehicle scats 24. passengers. The canopy is stepped in the middle, so as to prevent excessive height in front, and the vehicle is comfortably upholstered in green leather.
Win. and Thos. Robson, Ltd., of 6o, Farringdon Road, E.C., shows several examples of its most excellent van bodies, upon Lacre and Lotis chassis. This company is making a bid for a much-increased share of this trade, and Stand Ix should not be passed.
Messrs. Scammell and Nephew have a neat twelve-seated single-deck omni-: bus body on the Maudslay stand (49). The entrance is from the front, so that one man can control the whole vehicle, which is sold to the Midland Railway..
E. and H. Hora, Ltd., of Peckham, has a good single-deck omnibus body on a Thornycroft chassis (Stand 46), built to the order of the London and South-Western Railway, and Messrs. Holmes, of Derby, have an excellent single-deck omnibus body on a Ryknield chassis (Stand fib), which is welt worthy of attention. A very handsome omnibus body, by the Gloucester Carriage and Wagon Company, is shown on a Clarkson chassis (Stand 62), but the style is too ornate and expensive for ordinary omnibus purposes. The body on the Daimler Auto-Mixte " chassis (Stand 55) is by the United Electric Car Co., Ltd., of Preston, and is strongly reminiscent of a tramcar in all its details. The most unique body in the show is a pressed-steel one, on a De Dian chassis (Stand 47).
The van bodies do not present any striking points, but the convertible " Commercar " body (on Stand 37) should be examined by all prospective users, as its adaptability to so many diverse purposes makes it a particularly useful vehicle for a private owner, jobber, or hotel proprietor.