The New 12-cwt, Morris-Commercial Vehicle.
Page 56
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE range of Morris-Commercial vehicles has been extended by the addition of a van or lorry capable of dealing with 12-cwt. loads. It will be remembered that the Morris-Cowley van with the small type of engine of 69 min. bore and 302 mm. stroke is produced by Morris Motors, Ltd., at Cowley, Oxford, and that the Morris-Commercial 20-25-cwt, van with the larger engine of 80 ram bore and 125 mm. stroke is produced at Birmingham. This latter model is also produced as a 30-cwt. vehicle. The new model, which was added to the range on Monday of last week, is, therefore, designed to come between the small van and the model which is known as the 1-ton truck, and it is intended to meet the demand for a vehicle of moderate capacity, which shall fall within the category of vehicles liable to an Inland Revenue tax of only 1.16 per annum. This aim is attained with the Popular type of van, but, as we shall make clear later, it is not always possible with the de luxe model and the open truck.
• The smaller type of engine has been adopted ; it develops 23 b.h.p. at 3,000 r.p.m., and the customer has the option of two gear ratios-7.33 to 1 or 6.25 to 1.
The price is, of course, the next most interesting item to the potential customer. For the chassis 1158 is charged; for the Popular model of van the price is 1192; for the enclosed de luxe model it is 1210; whilst the price for the
open truck model is 1198. Hire-purchase terms are offered.
These prices are for the vehicles delivered in works grey. There is a choice of five finishirr, colours, so that the vehicle can be delivered painted compete for an extra 17 10s., the painting being carried out in plain colours with the moulding suitably picked out. Other extras which can (be incorporated in the body construction are as follow, the price for each being given: A fixed partition behind driver costs £4; a partition with a sliding door behind the driver is £4 17s. 6d.; a fixed partition with oval lights in the side of the body is 1.5 10s. ; a partition with -sliding door and oval lights in the side of the body would be £6.
With reference to the bodies, the Popular van is a useful vehicle of good appearance and sound construction, the panelling being carried out in substantial sheet aluminium. The do luxe model is designed to give full protection and comfortable conditions to the driver in any kind of weather. the general design being similar to that of the Popular van, with the exception of the roof, which closely follows salooncar practice. This model naturally becomes somewhat heavier if fitted with a dynamotor starter, and may exceed the 1-ton limit which allows the' vehicle to come within the £16 class. The same provision applies to the open-truck body, which, again, is panelled in aluminium with the exception of a sheet steel back panel.