Cheap Emergency Bodywork.
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An Exclusive Design and Specification for a Cheaply-made Type of Body for Use on Suitable Converted Chassis. It can be Built to Carry from 5 cwts. up to 20 cwts.
Following the general impressment of a large portion of the country's heavier motor lorries, and of thousands of commandeered horses and vans, it is our desire to indicate how tradesmen and manufacturers in general, faced with the question of re-organizing much of their goods-transport methods, may be assisted by temporary expedients, especially in the matter of coachwork.
At the present moment we particularly have in mind establishments in which those who are responsible for tbe despatch of goods decide to utilize vehicles of medium load-carrying capacities. The types of machines which will come under this observation are models capable of handling loads of from 5 cwt. up to 20 cwt. respectively. We have also not lost sight of the fact that in many instances a conversion will be more or less satisfactorily carried out by the removal of touring bodies, and then substitution by others capable of conveying goods of all kinds. It is no secret that a number of manufacturers of substantial types of touring units already have this in mind, and are introducing into the commercial-vehicle market certain chassis which may suit urgent requirements for express delivery.
During the present state of affairs, as a general rule, there is no time for elaborate body building. Householders' requirements are almost as necessitous as ever, even if limited by sudden caution. Those tradesmen who can expeditiously deliver goods over the heads of their competitors will, particu
larly at this juncture, be in a position to retain custom and considerably to increase their business. It is our desire to help those who ,intend to make do with the motor vehicles they have available. We have, therefore, after careful consideration, designed a. form of goods-carrying body which, not withstanding its substantial nature, is as low in price as is reasonably practicable with due regard to cost of material and workmanship. It is of a type which can be readily modified to suit practically any model of medium-powered chassis, built either for business or pleasure purposes, which is now on the market. In addition to the complete specification for material required, we reproduce below a, working 'drawing of the superstructure. These facilities are gladly placed at the disposal of professional body builders or less specially skilled workers who can "knock up" a body for emergency service.
The class of body which, we consider will most readily lend itself to speedy construction is the fabriccovered form. We have, therefore, directed our attention to such a type. It will be seen, on reference to the drawing which we reproduce herewith, that the driver's seat is built in with the main coachwork. The actual construction, however, can be readily modified to retain the existing seat mounted on the vehicle undergoing conversion, thereby, of course, still further reducing the cost of production. It will also be seen that the canvas covered tilt can be quickly detached, leaving in place a plain low-sided lorry body.
For clearness we have purposely omitted dimensions from the drawing, but all those necessary are included in the full working specification. The scale to which the illustration has been drawn is I in. to the foot. The general specification is as follows :—
The main framing is best made out of well-seasoned oak, the section being 21 ins, by l in. for the body of medium load-carrying capacity, but for the lighter type the section could be 2 ins. by
1 in. For strengthening the panels, oak battens 2 ins. by 1 in. should be utilized.
As this is quite a cheap form of body, all the panelling could very well be built of seasoned pine, the width of planking being 6 ins, and the thickness in. The seat, which is constructed to accommodate two persons, is framed with oak battens Li in. by f in. section. The back and side panelling should be the same as that specified for the main bodywork.
To afford ample protection fox the driver in all weathers, the seat has been set back 26 ins. The front extension projects 3 ft., and it is strengthened by an ash hoop-stick
2 ins, by in. in section. The seat and backrest may be padded with horsehair covered with leather, and should be about 2 ins, in thickness.
The detachable tilt is built up with five hoop-sticks of best ash, and-the bottom ends of the sticks are tapered so as to fit in sockets
screwed to the sides of the body. The section of the hoop-sticks should be 21 ins, wide by in. thick. The framework is covered with tarpaulin, and the material should be secured at the sides with turnbuttons, and at the rear of the body with leather straps. If considered necessary, the driver's extension may be provided with two celluloid observation windows. The top framing of the tilt may also be 'made in best ash 3 ins. by 1 in. section. The tarpaulin is divided longitudinally at the centre of the body, so that it may be readily rolled back, or even completely detached, to suit circumstances.
The floor hoard of the body should be built up of good oak
in. thick. The framing of the tailboard must also be of oak, and in this case 2 ins. by ;3, in. section is advisable. The panelling here is the same, of course, as that of the main structure. It will be noticed that the tail-board is hinged, so that it can be adjusted to suit various classes of loads likely to be carried With a view to simplicity of con struction by preventing paddleboxing at the rear end of the van, rockers could he fitted, pro viding the clearance height required does not exceed about 7 ins. The rockers should be
cut from well-seasoned deal. If
paddle– boxing. be necessary,
bearers of 21 111s. section may be utilized. A priming and two addi. tional coats of paint will make quite a satisfactory finish.