Lightweight bodywork for Transit chassis
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• New ultra-lightweight box and Luton vans based on the Ford Transit chassis,' cab /scuttle range have been introduced by Imperial Coachbuilders (Basildon) Ltd., Basildon, Essex.
The design utilizes aluminium-alloy and results in unladen weights below 30cwt, so gaining full exemption from carriers' licensing under the newly introduced Trans port Act. Payloads of up to 35cwt combined with capacities of up to 550 cu.ft. are possible with the bodywork.
The exceptionally low weight has been achieved by a new method of construction which dispenses with conventional framing. Alloy body panels of 18 s.w.g. are used and they incorporate pressed channel-sections at 12in. centres, providing built-in strength and rigidity.
The design resulted from experience gained in the construction of lightweight 20-ton. capacity containers, and has been subjected to an exhaustive road test pro gramme. An exceptionally strong rear frame and bulkhead, comprising an alloy box corner-section with return flanges which marry with the body panels, is used. Repairs are easily made to the assembly which uses pop rivets and huck bolts at stress points, allowing quick replacement by unskilled labour.
Full-length alloy and nylon roller-shutters are standard equipment on the box and Luton bodies and a one-piece translucent glass-reinforced plastics roof, a one-piece waterproof plywood floor and extruded alloy tying slats are also standard.
Luton bodies are available on petrol or diesel engined versions of the 22cwt (106in.) Transit chassis and on the petrol engined 25, 30 and 35cwt 118in. wheelbase models. The 550 cu.ft. bodies mounted on the long wheelbase chassis give an overall length of 17ft and an overall width of 6ft 10in. They have an overall height unladen of 9ft 9in. The interior dimensions, between tying slats, are: length 10ft 3in., width 6ft 6in., height 7ft 4in., with the length of the Luton section being 3ft 6in. The unladen loading height is approximately 2ft bin.
Luton bodies on the short wheelbase models offer a capacity of 440 cu.ft. with an overall length 14ft 7in., an overall width of 6ft Sin, and an overall height of 9ft 10-i-in. The interior dimensions are: length 7ft 10in., height 7ft 4in., width 6ft lin, the length of the Luton being 3ft 6in. In this case the loading height is approximately 2ft 7in.
The box van designs are available on the same chassis and have similar dimensions, excluding the Mt bin.-long Luton section. On the short wheelbase chassis a capacity of 370 cu.ft. is achieved while the long wheelbase version provides for a capacity of 480 cu.ft.
Prices will range from £331 for the smallest box van to £405 for the largest model.