THE MOTOR SHOWROOM PROVES ITS WORTH.
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mHE mobile showroom has given 1 ample proof of its value in a number of important trades, and it is making no idle assertion when it is said that the use of vehicles of this type has resulted in their users expanding their business very appreciably, particularly in areas where unusual difficulties hitherto forbade developments along ordinary lines. Undoubtedly the feature of the motorpropelled showroom which makes an outstanding appeal to the wholesaler is that it enables him to bring to the direct notice of the retailer a much greater range of goods than would be possible through the medium of the ordinary traveller's samples car.
The retailer appreciates this procedure, for, apart from giving him a more adequate idea of the goods from which to make a selection, it enables him to look iato what is really a miniature shop window, and thus secure an impression of the display which can be made with the various products. Thus, the mobile showroom offers distinct benefits to both wholesaler and retailer alike, but more than this its value as a publicity medium is unquestionable, although, perhaps, not capable of being estimated in terms of f.s.d.
James Pascall, Ltd., the well-known. manufacturing confectioners, has bad ample opportunity of ascertaining the worth of the mobile showroom, for it put a vehicle of this type into service nearly two years ago, and it is solely as a result of its success that a similar machine has just been commissioned for service. The original showroom was described in our issue dated August 11th, 1925, and so far as the body design is concerned the new vehicle follows the lines of its predecessor, the changes which have been made being of a minor nature.
The chassis of the new showroom is a 2 .-ton Laffly, and the body which it carries is a product of Glover, Webb and Liversidge, Ltd. The interior cabinet work—shelves, showcases and drawers—is in mahogany, and is carried out on shopfitting lines. There is a nest of drawers of different depths on each ride, above which is, a series of showcases and two long shelves on which 60 large bottles of buttered goods are displayed. The showcases accommodate chocolates and marzipan products, and have glass fronts which are hinged at the bottom.
There is no risk of damage to the bottles when the vehicle is travelling, for the base of each bottle fits into a recess in the shelf, and is also firmly held round its neck by a strong clamp. At the front end of the body, immediately behind the driver's partition, is a full width desk, above which is a bevelled-edge mirror, which assists to give a bright and light appearance to the interior.
The roof is constructed on the clerestory principle. Its side windows are arranged to open, and it has a series of lonvres at the rear. Thus plenty of air can reach the interior, and there is little fear of the condition of the sweetmeats being affected by a close atmosphere. In fact, we were told that the goods are not changed for months at a stretch. The clerestory roof extends over the driver's cab, and by following its curvature gives a pleasing outline to the body. A number of neat electric light fittings are fixed to the roof. A double door at the rear gives access to the interior and it opens to almost the full width of the body. There is a • small window in each section.
A detail improvement on the original showroom is the means used for housing the steps which give access to the interior. The steps fit snugly into a curved box built below the rear of the body, the lowest step having two grips on its underside for withdrawal purposes. The steps merely fit into this compartment, but when they are being withdrawn the ends fall into slots, and they are thus held rigidly in position.
The Lailly showroom has already left for its first tour, which commenced in North Wales. The.vehicle is shod with Michelin 855 mm. by 155 rum. pneumatics and disc wheels, twins being used at the rear.