Big Company's C-licensed Two-seaters
Page 52
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The Gas Light and Coke Company Runs a Fleet of 10 Lloyd Cars, Specially Converted for "Goods" Work
SEARCIIING for a truly economical form of road transport, in connection with short-distance maintenance and calls, the Gas Light and Coke Co. has found satisfaction in the use of a fleet of 10 vehicles having 350 d..c. water-cooled two-stroke engines, and coming from Lloyd Cars, Ltd., Patrick Street East, Grimsby.
The striking little vehicles are adaptations of the standard two-seater tourer produced by the above concern, and apart from their utility, manceuvrability, and economy, have a marked publicity value in their small size and pleasing appearance. Each one bears the name of the Gas Light and Coke co. in large gold letters on the familiar dark green in which all that company's vehicles are painted.
Transmission from, the rear-positioned single-cylinderecl engine on these cars is by roller chain through a threespeed and reverse gearbox to the final drive sprocket, thence through a needleroller bearing universal to the near-side rear wheel. Cooling is on the thermosiphon system; the radiator is also mounted at the rear.
A feature of the chassis is independent suspension of all 'four wheels, whilst equipment includes a 6-volt dynamo set.
The cars are supplied in standard E38 form to this operator, and modifications are made in the workshops. These modifications include the provision, under the bonnet, of neatly arranged trays and compartments for the carrying of gasfitters' tools, whilst in place of the passenger's seat is a compartment for accommodating a gas-meter.
It should be understood that the duty of the men who use these cars is the maintenance of consumers' gas appliances (the work inclading small repairs and emergency duties). The " mobile fitters" make from 20 to 25 calls in a day, covering anything up to 35 miles, and keep in touch with their headquarters department by telephone. In earlier days the men either went on foot or used pedal cycles, and it is naturally found that the work is speeded up by the use of road motors. Among the parts carried are gas burners, bars and grill sets for cookers, flints, batteries, flexible tubes, sockets and governor diaphragms. Gas escapes are, of course, attended to, but the majority is very small, and the men telephone to their depot if the job be a big one.
This branch of the company's road transport was inaugurated in October last, when the first Lloyd car was purchased, to he followed shortly by another .and, after a few months, by eight more. As already stated, economy is good, and the average figure for fuel consumption has been at the rate of over 40 m.p.g. When it is remembered that the work calls for a considerable amount of stopping and starting, this figure will be appreciated as being excellent.