Morris-Commercial Dictator Developments
Page 60
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WE are able to announce an addition to the range oi passenger vehicles already marketed by Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., of Birmingham. The new model takes the form of a longer wheelbase Dictator chassis, which, although built on similar lines to the vehicles in production, has been strengthened at vulnerable points to carry the extra load permitted by the increase in body space.
The new chassis has a wheelbase of 18 ft. (this dimension on the existing Dictator is 16 ft. 41 ins.), and the depth of the frame channels has been increased from 9 ins. to 11 ins. Cross bracing is effected by three tubular and two pressed-steel members ; the prominent feature of the Dictator chassis—the frame sides abut as closely as possible to the walls of the rear tyres—is retained. Furthermore, the road springs are carried immediately beneath the frame members, with the result that a wide "siring base" is obtained — lateral
stability is, therefore, markedly good.
The power unit remains unaltered in so far as both size of the cylinders and the disposition of the main components are concerned. The unit has a bore and stroke of 105 mm. and 135 mm. respectively, which gives a capacity slightly in execs& of 7 litres. It develops 56 b.h.p. at 1,000 r.p.m. and
110 b.h.p. at 2,600 r.p.m. The wellknown " high-camshaft " layout is also
retained, likewise the inclined position for the overhead valves.
An interesting feature concerning this new chassis—as, indeed, with all Dictator models—is that left-hand or righthand steering can be provided without extra charge and with little alteration to the layout of the main components. This is a point which was embodied right from the first. Actually, our illustration of this new model shows it equipped for left-hand control.
Chassis with either the forward or normal position for the driver are available, and the prices for the complete range are as follow :-16-ft. 41-in. wheelbase with normal control, £050; with forward control, £985; 18-ft. wheelbase with normal control, £075; with forward control, £1,010.