New Bayard Chassis for Olympia.
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Favourites in Bath and Bristol. A French War Office Subsidized Model will Form Part of this Well-known Maker's Olympia Exhibit.
It is with a full sense of its importance that we are able annonnee yet another serious Continental competitor for the English commercial-vehicle market. We refer to the well-known French concern of Clement-Bayard. In France, this name is placed among the pioneers of heavy goods transport by motor, and the standard of excellence set up by this maker, has ensured for the machines a very considerable amount of success in connection with the French War Office Trials from time to time. Hitherto, there has been no serious attempt on the part of the manufacturer to sell the vehicles in this country, although there is a considerable number of them in use around Bristol and Bath.
We were recently informed, however, that four ClementBayard models are to be staged at the forthcoming Olympia Show by Bayard Cars, Ltd., 98, High Street, Afarylebone,
London, W.' which concern now has sole selling rights in this country for both the commercial and pleasure cars sent over
from the Levallois works. We inspected the chassis immediately upon their arrival from France, and at the same time secured some interesting photographs which we reproduce. The machines with which we shall concern our readers are the two. twiner and the 15-20 cwt. express delivery van, The heavier model will be of special interest to our readers as it is designed to meet the French War Office subsidy re quirements. It is fitted with a four-cylinder engine, which is mounted on a pressed-steel subframe. The cylinders are cast in pairs, the bore and stroke being 80 mm. by 120 mm. respectively, the b.h.p, rating being 18. Both the inlet and exhaust valves are interchangeable, and are all disposed on the nearside of the engine. The thermo-syphon system of cool ing is used. the Renault type of radiator fitted dispenses with the necessity of having a fan, and the particular shape of the Bayard bonnet thus made possible, minimizes to a consider able extent, we are informed, the tendency of the machine to raise dust when travelling. This has been proved on other models, we understand, by actual experiment. The contour of the bonnet on these models certainly should lend itself to
this desirable feature on a machine. To return to the mechanical features of the vehicle, The camshaft and mag
neto are both driven by means of a silent chain, the latter accessory being very conveniently situated at the front of the engine. We noticed that the four wires leading to the spark ing plugs were easily distinguishable for their respective .terminals, by having each a good-sized brass disc attached, suitably numbered.
Attention on the part of makers to such details will often save much delay. The ignition is fixed, but the engine throttle is both foot and hand controlled, means for the latter taking the form of a small finger lever and quadrant attached to the dashboard. The carburetter fitted is of the company's own make. A leather-to-metal cone clutch transmits power to the gearbox, and a universally jointed clutch shaft is fitted, having a suitable form of coil-spring drive at its rear end. Means for readily lubricating the clutch spigot call for special mention. The gearbox is provided with four speeds and reverse, which are controlled by means of gate change. A propeller shaft transmits the drive from the gearbox to the main bevel gear and a differential, the final drive to the road wheels being taken through side sprockets and roller chains. The differential shafts are enclosed in a substantial mild steel casting, provided with flanges, for the purpose of bolting it to the main bevel case. The casting, at its outer ends, is anchored to the side members of the frame. The frame itself is built up of pressed steel channel of substantial section, queen-posts are fitted to the underside of the main members; the tension rods thus accommodated are adjustable, and lateral stability for the frame sides is ensured. Good stout radius rods are fitted, which, of course, are adjustable for tightening the chain when necessary. Means are provided for readily locking the differential by hand from outside the chassis. This is a convenience not usually associated with English-built petrol-driven vehicles. Suitable towing hooks are fitted at both the forward and rear ends of the vehicle, thus conforming to the French War Office requirements. Solid-rubber tires, mounted on substantial wooden wheels, were fitted to the model which we inspected, the respective sizes being: front, singles, 850 mm. by 85 mm. ; rear, twins, 1000 mm. by 100 mm.
One of our illustrations shows the substantial form of sprag with which these machines are provided ; as is clearly shown, it is anchored to the rear axle. The rear and front axles consist of substantial forgings of H section. The hand and foot-operated brakes provided have their shoes faced
with Ferodo, and we would direct our readers' attention to the air-cooled foot brake, situated behind the gearbox. The cast aluminium vanes are clearly shown in the illustration.
We will now direct our readers' attention to the main features concerning the smaller model. This type of machine, we understand, has been built to meet the constantly increasing demand for an express light delivery van. The engine, except of course for being slightly smaller, differs but slightly
from its larger prototype, the b.h.p. being 14. As is the case with the larger machine, the cylinders are cast in pairs, the unit being mounted on a pressed-steel subframe. It will be noticed that both the induction and exhaust pipes are located on the offside of the engine, so that the magneto is left particularly accessible. An interesting mechanical feature which calls for special mention is that upon closing the engine throttle, the ignition is switched off at the same time by means of a cam arrangement interconnected with the ignition wiring.
Engine lubrication is automatic by means of a small gear pump, and for ensuring the correct oil level in the crankchamber, the crankcase filler is provided with a convenient form of float. As on the larger model, power is transmitted to the gearbox through the ordinary form of leather-faced cone clutch. A double universal joint is fitted to the clutch shaft. The gearbox, mounted on the subframe, is provided with four speeds and reverse controlled by gate-change. This machine being of the live-axle driven type, a propeller shaft transmits the power to the rear axle. The shaft is enclosed io a substantial form of torque tube, which is provided with a spherical joint head and flange anchored to a central crossmember of the frame, thus taking up the driving thrust. The differential shafts, which take the drive only, are also enclosed in a suitable easing which is bolted to the crown bevel case.
Ample braking accommodation is provided, and the aircooled foot brake is also a noticeable feature on this model. The pressed-steel frame is inswept at the forward end, thus allowing for a good steering lock ; on this model nut and worm type of steering is fitted. The suspension is all that can be desired for carrying goods of delicate fabric, the rear springing being composed of three-quarter elliptic springs. Both ends of the springs are shackled, and a suitable form of radius rod relieves them from driving torque.
The rear brake compensating gear is quite •original in its design; one of our illustrations shows the neat form of bracket, which houses the balancing gear. A point calling for special mention is that the main frame sides are reinforced with mild steel plates, fitted inside the channel section. A feature which many makers are now recognizing as necessary is that the steering column is provided with an adjustment for altering the rake. The petrol tank, of pleasing outline, is fitted to the dashboard, and the petrol supply is by gravity feed. There is ample room behind the driver for mounting a roomy box van body, capable of carrying a useful load of 15-20 cwt., and a body of this kind will be; fitted on the machine which will be exhibited.
This maker will exhibit altogether four different models, enumerated and priced as follow :-11 h.p. chassis fitted with a light van body, pneumatic tires 810 mm. by 90 mm., price 300; 14 h.p. chassis, the one we inspected, also fitted with a box van body, price of chassis £340, complete L400; 11 h.p. provincial taxicab, chassis price £237; and the 18 h.p. twoton chassis fitted with a lorry body, the price of the chassis being £550.