THE LIGHT VAN BODY.
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A Popular Type of Commercial Goods Vehicle Which Lends Itself to _ Smartness of Appearance and Which is Low in First Cost.
THI] light delivery van, carrying from 7 cwt. to 30 cwt., is one of the most popular types of commercial motor. It is used in many trades; both by large and small firms. Although the general design varies considerably because many Of these bodies are built specially to order, yet it is one of the few styles of commercial body-work. which IS standardized. It can, therefore, usually be purchased as a complete vehicle with a choice of colour schemes, the writing. display being added according to the particular requirements of the customer.
A considerable amount of attentionis given to the design of the light van body in order that it shall have a smart appearance. The chassis supplied is often similar as regards it externals to the private car chassis. It is Mounted on pneumatic tyres, the radiator is shapely, the ton of the bonnet rises towards the (lag' ancl-is tapered in plan, so that a flush-sided scuttle dash can be built behind it. The windscreen has metal frames instead of the rather heavy-looking wooden ones usually associated with larger van bodies. The body itself has a well-balanced outline, and elegance is achieved by the happy combination of straight lines and curves combined with turnunder both at the sides and back, creating a sharp distinction between it and the mere box on wheels. The mounting often incinth-2s a set of domed wings, and platform steps hardly distinguishable, in some instances, from those fitted to an expensive touring car. The driving seat is provided with a spring cushion and full depth of squab, whilst the painting will often be done in the best style.
Standardization No Excuse for Poor Design.
If a light van body is to be built cheaply so that the complete vehicle can be sold at an attractive price, the first essential is that it shall be built in comparatively large quantities to the same design and specification. But, because the body is standardized, there is no need for it to be stiff and ugly and to look cheap. It is sometimes argued that the cost of each part and operation must be studied very closely,' and if eal. can be saved by using, say, a straight instead of a curved piece, then the straight one must be used.
Quantity production often halves the cost of a body, so that there should be a sufficient margin to make it worth while to create first a good design, and then to discuss the ways and means of constructing it as economically as possible rather than building down to a price. It is quite possible that a desigt will be modified in minor details' before it is finally approved, the extent of the modification necessary depending on the practical ability of the draughtsman. The excellent lines embodied in many standard light delivery vans prove that this aspect of the question is fully appreciated in various quarters.
The Special Design.
In spite of the efforts made by manufacturers and agents to facilitate the purchase of the van ready for the road, there are, and always will be, firms who desire to have something different and distinctive. One method of evolving novel bodywork is to Utilize as a basis an enlarged model of the commodity sold by the firm concerned, such as a shoe, bottle, teapot, loaf of bread and so on. A body of this description no doubt, forms a very good advertisement; but, on the Other hand, it is apt to be wanting in loading area, doors are sometimes of awkward shapes, the conditions ordriving are not ideal, and maintenance is often heavier than with the ordinary type of vap. Simple objects, such as a box or tin, lend themselves best to this particular form of bodywork.
But a large stores, having ordered a dozen new chassis, ,specifies that the bodywork must strike a fresh note, and yet not have any suggestion of freakishness, whilst at the same time a few leading dimensions must be embodied. Novelty may be achieved by giving an unusual outline to the sidelights of the driver's cab, by introducing an extra curved moulding or two, or shaping the hind-corner pillars in a particular way.
There is also a wealth of suggestion in private car design, some of the outlines of which may be adapted for the light delivery van. But, if too many of the features of a limousine or saloon are utilized, there is always the danger that the resulting design will not be satisfactory because Of a certain lack of harmony and incongruity. Also, should the blending of styles be successful to any degree, the owner must be prepared to pay a fairly high price, for the resulting design will be quite unsatisfactory if the characteristics of private bodywork are merely imitated by some cheaper compromise, Generally speaking, the angular pattern of van body —that is, the conventional outline:.---is the nit& suitable basis to work upon if a new design is to be attempted. It is important that the lines of the body shall harmonize well with the chassis.' For instance, the elbow or waist-tinO of the body' canprobably be arranged to form a continuation of the top or side hinge line of the
bonnet. If certain overall dimensions have to be embodied, this may hamper the scheme considerably, since excessive overhang, width or height should be avoided if good appearance is to receive first consideration.
The van body is incomplete without a partition behind the driving seat, but it must not be fixed right across ; instead, provision must be made on the near side to give access to the loading area. The most con-1 venient type Of partition= door is one'which Slides tothe off side behind the fixed part of the partition. If the body has a side turnunder, and curves inwards below the waist-line, then a make-up piece is fastened to the side of the body, so that the door has a vertical face to shut against. The near-side half of the driving seat is hinged also to its portion of the back rest. The back doors are made to fasten either from the inside or outside, and it is a great advantage if they can be controlled from the driving seat. To facilitate the delivery of goods after dark, the interior should be provided with an electric lamp which can be switched on and off either from the driving seat or from the back.
The largest possible opening at the back of the body is necessary, because loading and unloading are thereby made easier. If sliding trays are provided, the doors must open the full width, and often they are mounted on pins on the side face of the corner pillars so that they
swing clear, and also, if required, may be lifted off. Owing to the .door, openings, special precautions are necessary to ensure rigidity of the framework. Therefore, the doors do not, as a -rule, open parallel with the roof camber, but a comparatively deep rail, straight on the bottom edge, is framed between the corner pillars to tie the sides together. Further strength is obtained by arranging the hinge line of the doors some 5 ins. or 6 Ins. away from the sides, and.then.filling in the space, with a solid piece of timber. This fornaof construction is also useful when there is a side turnunder as its
inside edge forms a vertical surface for the mounting of the hinges. •
The general design of the back of the body may be an adaptation of the moulding display and Panel arrangement of the sides, or a different scheme may be adopted. The most important item of the decoration of this part of the body is the window which is inserted in the upper part of each door. These windows should be large, so that the interior is well lit when the van is entered through the partition, but this is not always possible with a full load, and seldom are they of much value when backing the vehicle if lights are provided in the partition as well.
If packages of various sizes and shapes are carried, the larger ones are placed on the floor and the smaller ones on shelves. The lowest shelf will be about 1 ft. 6 ins, off the floor, with one or two above it, according to the height available. The shelves are about 9 ins., wide, slope down a little towards the sides of the body and have a guard or fillet on the front edge. Similar shelves may be fitted behind the fixed part of the partition to a separate casing so that, the sliding door moves freely. Shelves may also be arranged crosswise, and either type may be made adjustable for height and detachable so as to facilitate cleaning, or allow the van to carry any class of goods within the weight limit specified.
Each trade or industry, demands, in many cases, a 'special type of body or a: special arrangement of the interior. On page 423 we give the requirements of a number of trades and state clearly how they can easily be met. The information should be valuable to users and agents.