COMFORT FOR SALOON COACH PASSENGERS.
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A 24-seater which has been Built Specially for Demonstration Purposes in the Chief Pleasure Centres Along the South Coast.
THE saloon coach is a type of public-service vehicle which lends itself admirably to the iroduction of an exceedingly comfortable conveyance. Knowing this, two concerns responsible respectively for the chassis and the body— Republic Motor Trucks Sales and Service, Ltd., of 26, Peterborough Road, Fulham, London. S.W.6, and F. W. Coulter, Ltd., Perfecta Motor Body Works, Boundary Road, Woking, Surrey—set out to produce a very fine 22-seater which could be used specially for demonstration purposes. A representative of this journal was one of the passengers when the vehicle made its inaugural run and was very much impressed with the enterprise and skill of the manufacturers and with the prospects of excellent business resulting from the contemplated tour aradngst the South Coast motor-coach owners. , The chassis chosen for the purpose was the infidel 81 Republic, which is intended for an open or closed body capable of seating from 22 to 26 passengers. It has a frame of pressed steel channels ti ins, deep, arched over the rear axle and, with 7-in. flitch plates riveted to the outer sides between the axles and the rear springs being underslung, a low platform height is rendered possible, making, of course, for greater stability and steadiness on the road. Mounted on Firestone Giant pneumatics 34 ins. by 7 ins, on all wheels and the springs being very long and flexible, riding comfort is assured before it is further considered by the body maker.
The body is a very attractive piece of work, reflecting considerable credit on
the makers. It seats 24 passengers in comfort, the seating, ass,sliown in our illustrations, being arranged transversely in pairs facing forwards so far as tile first four rows are. eonce'ined, whilst to the rear of the foUrth row a cosy saloon is created by allowing a row to face towards the back row with space between for two collapsable tables. The driver's seat, with accommodation also for the conductor, is disposed on the centre line of the body, giving a very symmetrical appearance to the interior. There ale three doors, one on each side of the driver's compartment and one at the rear, hung on heavy brass coach hinges and fitted with double. action slam-type locks. The rear door has..a patent head lock, which is easily operated in case of emergency.
In front is a Beatonson patent Vwindscreen with adjustable top halves, while the windows are frameless, running in Beclawat felt-lined channelling, silent in action and easy to operate by glass strings. They are all made to drop With the exception of certain windows•at the rear. The centre gangway is of ample width without cramping the seating accommodation, as the overall,width of the body is '7 ft.
,The seats have spring squab backs and are comfortably shaped and sloped ; they are covered in best quality leather cloth. The ceiling is panelled in Anagly_pta and finished in glossy white, the woodwork being covered with a special antioue waterproof material to match the trimming, whilst the floor is covered with linoleum to match. The interior can very easily be cleaned. To each seat is fastened a tip-up ashtray, and plated coat and rug rails are provided. Lighting is secured by means of four ornate . electric roof lamps, the current being controlled through a switch on the dashboard.
The outward appearance is graceful and equally as pleasing as the interior, for the lower part of the body, including the radiator bonnet and wings, is finished in ease blue with black undergear, whilst the top half of the body is beautiful pearl grey. The bright aluminium wheel rims give a touch of relief, whilst, with nickel-plated fittings throughout, there is a perfect eolour harmony in the whole vehicle.
The engine is a Lycoming ef 25.6 h.p. R.A.C. rating, the bore of the cylinders being 4 ins. and the piston stroke 5 ins. Thermo-siphonic cooling, American Bosch magneto starter and dynamo and a Ferodo-faced multiple-plate clutch are special features thereof. The gearbox gives three forward speeds and reverse. The final drive is by means of internal spur gear. The foot-operated brake contracts externally on a drum on the transmission, whilst the hand-operated brakes are internally expending and act on drums on the road wheels. The latter are constructed of four hollow steelspoked sections, each containing two spokes and all being ingeniously dovetailed together.
The general dimensions of the coach and chassis are: Overall length 24 ft., overall width 7 ft. 2 ins., height 7 ft., loading height 2 ft. The wheelbase is 15 ft. 5 ins., the track at the rear 4 ft. 10i ins., and at the front 5 ft. 2* ins. There is a minimum ground clearance of 51. ins. The price of the chassis, with mechanical tyre pump, spare rim and complete equipment, is £545, but the price of the coach complete is best obtained from the makers, as Much depends upon the buyer's individual requirements. .