PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World
A DOMED COACH OF DISTINCTIVE DESIGN.
A Handsome 20-seater Body Possessing Many Refined Features.
ALTHOUGH there may be divided opinions as to the prospects of motor coaching, there is agreement that there is room for developments in the chrection of providing for the highest class of custom. There is undoubtedly a class of passenger requiring the best possible service and the greatest possible comfort, which has not •yet beon provided for to any great extent.
It is to meet such cases that a, special long wheelbase Lancia saloon has been built by Messrs. K -and J. Widdison, coachhuilders and autcmobire engineers, or Leeds Road, Thornbury, Bradford, fur Mr. B. .Craven, of Millshaw Lane, Beeston, Leeds.
The coach----which a representative of The Contmarciat Motor was privileged to inspect while it was receiving the finishing touches in Messrs. Widtiison's new and commodious works—is the last word in body-building, being equal to the best modern touring car intended for private use. The extended wheelbase, which measures 12 ft. 10 ins., has allowed a roomy body, but the whole arrangement is graceful in the extreme, and although accommodation is provided for 20 passengers, the coach does not appear to be unduly large in comparison with private touring cars of saloon type. The body has been kept low, and the arrangement of the seating gives ample accommodation for each passenger.
The disposition of the seating is interesting. Four passengers are accem
modated on a commodious seat in the " D " back, which would take five.passengers without a pinch. -Directly over. each wheel arch, and lacing the 'centre of the coach, two settees for two passengers each have been placed, and two passengers sitbeside the driver. About the body of the coach ten revolving and tip-up chairs are -placed to enable the passengers to carry on a conversation or to look out. A. clear view of the country through which the coach is travelling is to be obtained from the interim, the window Space being very
large. Entrance to the saloon is obtained by two doors just to the rear of the driver, and ingress and egress -is easy in consequence of the ample width of the doors and the low step from the floor of the saloon to the ground. The actual step on the running-board is of ample size also, being so arranged that it projects beyond the running-board when in use, but is lifted up, when the coach is in motion, by means of a wire cable placed in a convenient position for the driver.
In every detail remarkable ingenuity is displayed, the first thought having been the comfort of the passenger. In the " D "-shaped back there is a large -window, whilst along each side of the coach there are five drop windows, three in the body of the coach, one in each door, and one in front of the door. All the windows are operated by silk straps. with dubb ends, in keening in colour
with the decoration of the coach, and approaching in style the straps in the
best railway carriages. Two Brittain roof ventilators are fitted in the domed top for use when the. windows are closed, and there are six electric lights in the roof, these being arranged so that any one may be switched DTI or off as desired.
Approach is made to the driver's seat by hinging tho centre seat, and in front. of the driver two large lockers of polished mahogany are fitted for tho driver's requirements. Behind the seat, in pouches in keeping with the decoration, maps or other articles may be kept. By the removal of one tip-up chair a card or refreshment table may be fitted and ten passengers can sit round it with comfort. This table fitting is carried in a locker under the floor. The accumulators are placed amidships, under the floor, and inspection doors for these and for the differential and gearbox are provided.
A more tasteful scheme of decoration, either interior or exterior, it would _be
difficult to imagine. A tasteful light grey, giving a dainty effect, and at the • same time hiding traces of dust, is the colour used throughout, and the only lettering on the body is the owner's monograms On each door, and his name on the discs on the spare wheels.
In the interior the woodwork is in polished mahogany, with nickel fittings. ' The leather and other work is in grey. The roof is covered with Bedford cord, and the sides ax-e trimmed with lacings and rosettes. Below the windows the sides of the coach are trimmed with leather, but the mouldings here are backed with wood in order that they may keep their shape. The floor is covered with ribbed-rubber lino and all the seats aro covered with antique band
buffed English leather hides. On the question oh upholstering Messrs. Widdison take special pride in the fact that a customer may enter their workshop at any time and examine the progress of such of his work as they have in hand_ Nothing is so deceptive as upholstering when made up, and it is only by underneath examination that the purchasercan ensure that he is being supplied -with a satisfactory article_ In this case everything is of the belt-, spring-case cushions ofthe beet quality being covered with a wire mesh to prevent the hair stuffing from working up into
waves. Throughout nothing but real leather ia used.
Special case has been taken to prevent nose, the roof being moulded on the joints to stop any drumming and vibration, and the muaguards are also padded with leather.
The exterior view of the coach is particularly smart. The principal lines of the body harmonize, and the effects achieved is very graceful. Sweeping away from the standard Lancia bonnet there are no corners at the front. An • attractive appearance is given by the double " " windscreen and the domed roof, and the body slopes off to the "D " back of pleasing shape. The running-boards are low, and when the coach is in motion there is an undeniable grace about it, not to mention the air of distinction brought about, by the tasteful finish and decoration. Silk curtains arc provided, and, to illustrate the care which has been taken with details, it might be mentioned that both doors are fitted with coveted locks, thus enabling the coach to be totally closed up when the passengers and driver are away, and allowing coats and wraps to be left inside without fear of molestation from inquisitive passers-by. In addition to the pouches behind the driver's seat, and the lockers on the dash, a toolbox is fitted on the Step, and there. is a box under the body, and
tommcidions luggage-carrier, provided with body-guard, is fitted at the back. The owner has also had fitted a special tank to hold an additional or reserve supply of petrol, which is connected up to the Autovac. This tank, which is placed on the step, and balances in appearance the polished toolbox, will hold 10 to 15 gallons of petrol, making the total capacity of the tanks on the coach 32 gallons.
Two spare wheels are carried at an angle on the fore portion of the running. board, and these have special aluminium detachable discs bearing the owner's name in gold script. Special care has been taken with every Joint in the bodywork to prevent rattle and the appearance of markings of any kind, and the curve in every panel •is most carefully shaped. It was the owner's desire that the coach should be ahead of anything on the road during the coming summer, and certainly it would be difficult to imagine anything better for motor coaching. As an indication of the way in which details have been attended to, it should be mentioned that in addition to electric lighting throughout there is also an electric Klaxon and an engine pump for the pneumatic tyres with which the coach is fitted.
Two more coaches of a similar typo are to be built later by Messrs. Widthson, and there is a likelihood-that one will be seen in London during the Motor Show, the Curtis Auto Co., the concessionnaires of the:Lancia Co., having prim:sad to demonstrate the vehicle
during the Show week. Doubtless it will be inspected with great interest by motorists from all parts of the country.
94-Mile Tours for 5s. •
The fact is worthy of note that at least one Blackpool motor coach owner is running tours to Liverpool and Manchester at fares which establish new records in cheapness. Hitherto the record was 6s., but last week it was possible to book for the return journey—a matter of 94 miles for 5s.
Rural Bus Services.
, The Rural District Councils Association has empowered its Parliamentary Committee te go into the question of Motorbus and char-a-banes services, more especially with regard to speeds, routes, termini, time-tables, stopping-pTaces, supervision of _vehicles and limitation of . number of passengers, with the object of .securing for rural authorities some power of control in these matters.
The Wide Bottom Step.
Built for a Canadian company by, Commercial Cars; Ltd., the coach illus-• trated on this page is equipped-with folding lower footboards along the -whole length of the vehicle and on both sides. The width of the step when opened out is greater than usual, and we found by experiment, when we were inspecting this particular coach, that there was not the slightest need to step down backwards when alighting from the coach, for one could walk out of the coach with the ease of descending a stairway.