W. and G.
Page 36
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ACHASSIS, a petrol carrying vehicle and a special passenger bus constitute the three W. and G. exhibits.
In the first vehicle the load capacity is 2 tons, and the engine has a Treasury rating of 22.4 11.p.; the magneto and carburetter are both on the off side of the engine, and a feature of the design is that the induction passage through the cylinder block is not centrally situated, but is towards the rear of the engine ; driven by a common belt are a fan and water impeller.
Power is transmitted by a cone clutch, provided with a clutch brake ; the torque is taken by a. spring-loaded member, and both brakes are situated in the rear-wheel drums.
Having -a similar engine, but rated at 2itons load capacity, is a vehicle equipped with a special body for carrying petrol cans, and this is painted in the familiar green and red of the AngloAmerican Oil Co., Ltd. Solid tyres are provided, as in the case of the 2-tonner ; the tailboard is in three sections for ease Of loading and running costs can be checked. with the assistance of the odemneter, driven from the gearbox.
Doubtless the low load-line six-cylinder chassis, intended for passenger ser
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vice, will attract the greatest amount of attention by reason of its novelty. The engine is of the side-valve .type with a detachable head, and has a water pump and magneto driven in tan deni ; front-wheel brakes are provided and pneumatic tyres are fitted to all wheels ; semi-elliptic springs are found on this vehicle and rebound clips are incorporated.
The frame construction is interesting in that it is dropped close to the driver's seat and is carried along horizontally to the axle arch, which is 8 19-32 ins, above the rest of the frame ; the side-members are swept upwards behind the drop and then run parallel to each other ; the central crossmember serves as a support for the centre bearing of the two-piece propeller shaft, and an oil bath is provided for lubrication at this point. By means of this type of chassis construction a front-entrance bus body can be fitted having an exceptionally low line, facilitating ingress and egress.
One of the exhibits is a one-manoperated bus, finished in red and lined gold, the coachwork of which is constructed by Vickers, Ltd. The door is on the near side at the front and is regulated by the driver ; on his right is a sliding window, but the other lights are fixed. Internal illumination is provided by five roof lights. In the rear of the body is a vertical pillar for the' convenience of the passengers, the forward seats being six in number and placed laterally, those in the rear compartment being two longitudinal and one the full width of the rear. . W. and G. Du Cros, Ltd., The Vale, Acton, London, W.3.