GUY MOTORS DENY CONNECTION
Page 44
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Mr. Hanlon Told That Makers Never Saw Lightweight Eight-wheelers
THERE had been no correspondence between Guy Motors, Ltd., and K. and B. Motors (Newcastle), Ltd.. on the subject of lightweight eight-wheelers, and neither had Guy seen any K. and B. experimental vehicles. This was told to Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, Northern Licensing Authority, at Newcastle upon Tyne last week by Mr. A. L. Davis, Guy technical service engineer.
The Authority was resuming the hearing at which McPhees (Newcastle), Ltd., were called upon to show cause why special A licences should not be revoked or suspended because of weight discrepancies.
Mr. Hanlon referred to a letter by Mr. S. L. Hollis, a director and secretary of Guy, published in last week's issue of The Commercial Motor, refuting certain statements in the report of the previous hearing (see issue dated October 9). The Authority said that references in the report to statements by Mr. J. L. R. Croft. for McPhees, concerning the activities of Mr. H. G. Block, works manager of K. and B., and of the use by McPhees of the Guy Light Warrior were accurate.
Mr. Davis stated that the three vehicles concerned were all Guy Invincible eightwheelers delivered to K. and B. in chassiscab form. They had 900 x 20 14-ply tyres of Avon or Firestone make, and the makers calculated the unladen weights as one vehicle of 6 tons 71 cwt. and two 6 tons 8 ewe I lb. He was unable to say what modifications had been made to reduce these weights to 5+ tons, which included a platform body.
Guy had never tried to get an Invincible down to such a weight, neither . had there been any consultation with Mr. Block to see whether it could be done, said Mr. Davis. The Light Warrior was produced at a calculated unladen weight, for a chassis-cab, of approximately 54 tons. depending on the type of equipment. and was designed for a gross weight of 24 tons. It bore no relation to the Invincible.
Cross-examined by Mr. Croft. for McPhees, he agreed that the original specification of unladen weight for the Invincible chassis-cab, sent to the Authority as over 7 tons, was a typographical error. There was also a slight difference between the amended schedule supplied and the weights given in evidence.
Mr. Davis added that there could be a slight variation in makers' calculated weight, and Mr. Croft had been right in saying at the previous inquiry that he did not accept the specifications given to the Authority.
The question of calling Mr. Block as a witness led to a clash between the Authority and Mr. Croft, who protested over the form the inquiry was taking. The Transport Tribunal, in the Rush appeal. he said, had laid down certain matters which must be complied with.
On one of these—the grounds on which revocation or suspension were being considered—McPhees had never been informed. He was now asked to call Mr. Block as a witness. It was being suggested that McPhees were guilty unless they could prove their innocence.
Mr. Hanlon said that Mr. Croft had introduced the name of Mr. Block at the previous inquiry, when he " most improperly" gave evidence concerning what he thought Mr. Block would say about experiments with lightweight vehicles. Until that stage the Authority had never heard of Mr. Block. If McPhees wanted him to give evidence, Mr. Croft must call him.
Mr. Croft said that it was the Authority who had requested Mr. Block's attendance, but he would call him under protest.
Smaller Wheels Mr. Block said there were various ways of reducing an Invincible to an unladen weight, with platform, of about 5f tons, starting with the replacement of tyres and wheels. The Michelin X tyre, at 84 lb., was ideal for the job, saving just over 5 cwt. Smaller wheels, of the .500 x 20 10-stud type, at 79 lb., saved a further 5 cwt.
Guy batteries were carried in a heavy container and consisted of four 6-v. heavy-duty units totalling 268 lb. in addition to the container. Their removal and replacement by two 12-v, batteries inside the cab at 92 lb. represented another saving.
More weight would be eliminated by the removal of the heavy passenger seat. spare-wheel carrier, bumper bars, two or three leaves from each of the springs and the fitting of a smaller fuel tank. A hardwood called Obeottia, which was lighter than aluminium, would produce a body 24 ft, by 7 ft. 6 in., with a 2-ft. 6-in, headboard, weighing 4 cwt.
The alterations were done to the instructions of Mr. E. Waters, managing director of K. and B., and the parts removed went into K. and B. stores. McPhees vehicles were not restored after weighing, and before delivery. He had never communicated with Guy, except at the Commercial Motor Show, neither had he demonstrated to them.
Questioned by Mr. Croft, Mr. Block said that he was extremely annoyed when he saw the report in The Commercial Motor. He did not remember being told by Mr. Croft that the information about Guy had been supplied by another member of K. and B.
Mr. E. A. Stevenson, maintenance engineer at the Workshops for the Adult Blind, said he had been weighing goods vehicles since 1935 and had issued the weight tickets to K. and B. for the three vehicles mentioned. He could not see the weighbridge when actually weighing vehicles, and, until this ease arose, had not been told to examine vehicles or take note of their condition, He agreed that vehicle registration numbers had not always been verified.
A senior vehicle examiner, Mr. A. Cane, said that he examined the three vehicles on October 19, and their kerbside unladen weights, including fuel oil, were: 7 tons Ili cwt.; 7 tons 41 cwt.; and 7 tons 13 cwt. 2 qr. 14 lb. They were Invincible eight-wheelers with standard fittings and double timber floors. He assessed the complete bodies at 25-27 cwt.
The Authority was told by Mr. Waters that his dealings with McPhees were all by word of mouth. They had discussed the possibility of putting eight-wheelers weighing about 5+ tons on special A licences, and he had given instructions for the vehicles to be altered. McPhees were told that in their altered state the vehicles would not carry more than 12 tons. They were delivered at the weight registered and not since altered by K. and B.
Replying to questions by the Authority. Mr. Waters said that it was common practice for customers to request them to
tax vehicles. Mr. McLaughlan. a salesman employed by his company, had authority to do so, but not in his own name.
It was true, said Mr. Waters, that he had told the Tribunal that axles had been removed from vehicles for weighing and replaced almost immediately. This had been done about 100 times during five or six years, and requests for this were still being made. There had been no question of removing axles for McPhees as they wanted eight-wheelers.
Mr. Hanlon adjourned the hearing in order to request the attendance of Mr. McLaughlan.
MOTORWAY COACHES ON MONDAY L"DUR hours after the Minister of Trans port declares the MI motorway open on Monday, at 9.311 a.m., the first scheduled London-Birmingham express motorway coach will leave Victoria Coach Station. At 2 p.m. a coach leaves Birmingham on the 3-hr. 25-min. run to complete the daily service of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd. Three services daily in each direction are scheduled.
A non-stop service between Bedford and London, with a schedule of 1 hr. 26 min., will be started on Monday by Birch Bros., Ltd. It will work in conjunction with the existing London Hitchin Bedford Rushden service.
Starting on November 8, London Transport will run Sunday afternoon sightseeing trips to the motorway. They will operate from 24 towns and villages.