NOVEL BODYWORK FEATURES AT OLYMPIA,
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Compact and Ingeniously-fitted Coachwork for the Commercial Traveller—Much Improvement in Small Vans and Lorries—A New Single-seated Taxi.
THE KEYNOTE of the bodywork designed for the use of commercial travellers, and shown at Olympia, was the happy combination of the refinements of the private car with provision for the disposal of the samples carried. Lack of elegance is not tolerated by the representative, Who considers that his car should create a good impression and thus be an appreciable factor in his selling campaign.
The ideal is reached when the car, so far as externals are concerned, is practically the same as a
saloon or limousine. If the loading space required does not allow of this, then toe modifications introduced should be such that the conventional outline of the light delivery van is avoided so far as possible.
The commercial traveller's ear mounted on the Austin Seven was a gem of miniature coachwork. Appearances were deceptive, however, because there was some 11 cubic ft., of accommodation. The body had a domed roof and rounded hind corners, with a rear compartment fitted with two 'shelves and double doors. The shelves, running the full width of the body, were hinged so that they could be folded flat and fastened together,. or, with the partition, entirely removed. The edges of the partition were covered with _rubber, making it draught-proof and • silent. A large detachable .hox was fitted on the left of the driver. This could be removed and a seat substituted. The driver's seat was of a comfortable
bucket pattern. The canopy could be raised or lowered in a few seconds, and four straps were provided to prevent rattling when it was out of use. In bad weather, two celluloid windows, with the twopiece windscreen, completely enclosed the body.
The Morris commercial traveller's car carried a net load of -8 cwt. The driving seat was designed to givethe same amount of comfort as an up-to-date two-seater.. A distinctive note was given to the box portion by the use of a domed roof, a back, turnunder balancing well with the _outline of the front seat and a belt panel with mouldings curving sharply downwards at the rear. The pair of hind doors opened the full width of the body.
The Overland Champion was an example of what could be achieved by utilizing a private body design and partly refitting it for the accommodation of the samples. In general outline, it is the same as a, high-class saloon body. As shown, the hack seat had been removed, and in its place there had been fitted a nest of a large number of small drawers. If required for touring purposes, then the usual back
eus.hion and squab took the place of the cabinet. This car could also be used as a caravan by hinging down the back of the front seat, which then formed a luxurious couch with two cushions. A large trunk was also fitted at the rear.
Instead of the driving seat of the traveller's car being designed to make a two-seater with Cape-cart hood, this part of the body inay be built as a coupe with fixed roof. The Overland traveller's coupe had a smart and attractive appearance, and was unusually well lighted. The driving compartment had two wide doors with curtains opening with them, and fixed side lights made as large as the framework allowed. Advantage was taken of the difference in height of the coupe and loading portion, to let in an ample back light. The double doors at the rear were fitted with a Yale lock, and a neat roof rail Was provided so that the roof could be used for an additional load.
The Buick traveller's brougham was representative of an enclosed style of body, which could be readily adapted for many trades. The driving seat had full doors reaching to the roof with drop lights. The general appearance was enhanced by the use of a curved toe to the front standing pillar, a moderately domed roof and rounded hind corners. These were panelled in steel and the other parts in Sundealii. The wide single door at the rear with folding step gave access to a roomy sample compartment.
For the traveller who required only a moderate B37
loading space, the Rover ear was an excellent example. The neat rear box portion was designed so that the top of it was about on a level with the elbow of the driving seat.
By using a larger and more elaborate body, the -coachwork may be designed• as a,travelling showroom. A highly interesting example of this class of work was exhibited on the stand of the Chelsea Motor Building Co., Ltd., and mounted on a G.M.C. pneumatic-tyred chassis. The whole of the near side was 'devoted-to one large fitment divided up into drawers, shelves and cupboards, which had been set out to take various packets and boxes of choco lates without loss • of space. The body was also designed-to be-used as 'an office, the equipment including a fall-down writing table. Adequate ventilation was afforded by a large clerestory roof, which more than compensated for the loss of side windows in the main portion of the body.
Other striking features were the hanging of the back door and the disposal of the spare wheel. The off-side half of the back of the body consisted of a door made to slide behind the remaining portion, the floor being reached by means of a large double folding step. The snare wheel wa-s housed vertically on the off side inside the body, the opening being made in the front partition.
Convertible bodywork is a feature which attracts the commercial traveller who wishes to use his car for week-end trips. The Duple body is designed to meet this need. The various alterations are carried out without any complication or the necessity for special tools ; the units are light in weight, and good appearance has been well studied in all the various combinations which may be effected. A twoseater may be converted into a light van, lorry, shooting brake, 'hearse or commercial traveller's car. The permanent portion is a stylish two-seater body, with the sides extended to the rear to form the boot.
The top of this side is 'curved downwards to meet the chassis. The thickness of the side is exposed se that it forms the foundation -for the various attachments. To convert the body into a traveller's ear, the attachment, when added, has the effect of squaring up the rear of the body and providing a curved roof with a pair of hind doors, all built up as one unit. Whenever a unit is required with back doors, they are always complete with their standing pillars. This is one of the most iagenious features of the Duple convertible body.
When this back portion is removed, two sections may be substituted to fit on top of the boa sides, one of which is hinged to form the usual back rest. The boot side is also provided with a second doorway, so that, instead of the two-seater attachment, the rear scat and panel of a four-seater can be fastened on, together with a one-man hood.
The traveller's coupe made by Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., has a fixed coupeIette front—that is, an enclosed driving seat with a full door reaching to the roof, whilst the folding head is attached to a separate hinged pillar top, the roof over the doorway being fixed. This coupe has a roar portion similar to that already described, and can be fitted up as a compartment Or dickey seat, according to whether the owner is on business,or pleasure beat.
The Absence of Dainty Box Vans.
Regarding the body built for the delivery of goods, rather than sample carrying, it was noticeable how many firms had on view dainty little box vans, the design in most instances being particularly successful owing to the combination of a simple and wellbalanced outline, with general proportions strictly in keeping with the overall dimensions of the chassis. An interesting tilted body was shown on the Renault stand mounted on the 13.a h.p. model. The body had outside framing, a style of construction which gave the car a note of distinction. Special features of this body were the folding near-side seat and tailboard furniture. This seat was provided with a back rest which folded on to the cushion, the whole then being tipped to give access to the interior. The tailboard fasteners were of the revolving catch type, a pattern which is favoured on the Continent. Two stops were provided to arrest the tailboard when in its open position.
The Vulcan builder's van was an example of a radical alteration being made in the general design to suit the class of goods carried. To enable long lengths of timber to be transported, without undue overhang or causing any undue strain on the body, the roof of the driver's cab was sloped to the rear and the load supported on strongly plated bolters. The first pair of bolsters was earned 'on pillars at the dash and rear cab pillars respectively, the crossbars being framed in high enough so that no weight had to be borae by the cab roof. , The third bolster was arranged about the centre of the body, and could be detached so that the lorry could be used for an ordinary load. The tailboard formed the rear support.
A tipping lorry was also exhibited on the Vulcan stand, fitted with the company's special enclosed cab. This had a door each side with slam lock, inside and outside handles and a frameless plate. glass drop window. The cab is made on a repetition basis, and only a nomind charge is made for it over and above the conventional pattern. The single-seated taxi has hitherto been a sidecar body or, as used in Paris, a single landaukt, built, however, narrower. The Austin taxi mounted on the 7 h.p. chassis may be regarded as practically a new type of body. The passenger enters by a hall-door on the near side, his beat being arranged in the rear coupe portion with a luggage space at his right hand. The driver's seat is forward, so that a waterproof curtain, with apron and celluloid windows at the back of it, protects the passenger in front on the near side. The driver is protected by a hood, which straps against the front of the rear portion when not required. The miniature taxi has a big future before it, because its first cost is less, and it is more economical to run than the larger four-seater and, although it is of minimum seating capacity, a single passenger represents the load carried on many occasions. It seemed rather a pity that the Austin taxi was removed from the Show soon after the opening, on the ground that it did not comply with Scotland Yard regulations.
A Saloon Bus for Dance Parties.
Va,ndys, Ltd., showed a saloon bus, mounted on a 25-30 h.p. S.P.A. chassis, which was most luxuriously
appointed in every detail. The seating arrangement consisted of comfortable double armchairs, with central gangway and the hind seat carried across the full width of the body, With a separate bucket seat for the driver. This body was of the true saloon type, having no internal partition. The front entrance doors were provided with sliding windows, whilst all the side windows were made to drop. Each seat had a separate folding polished table, wnich, when not in use, lay flat against the side. The seats were detachable so that they could be rearranged as required, and were mounted on claw feet, giving them a stylish finish.
The interior equipment included crimson antique leather trimming, silk curtains, ash trays and match strikers. The underside of the roof was covered in cloth relieved with polished wood panelling. A Veescreen was mounted in front, and the instrument board was modelled on the lines of that of a private ear. This luxurious body was built by Metcalfs, of Romford, and is intended for conveying dance parties, attending race meetings and so on
Another film example of bodywork by the same firm shown on this stand, and mounted on a 20 h.p. S.P.A. chassis was a 25-seater coach. The seats were trimmed in green leather, the panels being painted cream. The hood was provided -With side curtains, which could be opened or closed instantly by means of a special metallic interlocking seam. The backs of the seats were curved downwards at the ends, giving the body. a fashionable appearance.
The 20-21-seater service bus body, exhibited on the Lancia stand, had mechanically operated doors
reaching to the outer edge of the bottom step and five drop windows on each side. The roof was fitted with a neat luggage rail, whilst a folding iron ladder was bolted on at the back. The general proportions of this body by Metcalfs were very pleasing, proving that the firm in question can turn out public service or private hire eoachwork with equal success. A notable advance in the general design of the ambulance -body was to be seen on the Fiat stand. The unique feature of the body is that it could be used for a stretcher patient on each side, or sitting eases, without having to remove anything. This was effected by means of hinged seats and back rests,. which folded up into the body framing, the underside of the seat forming a flush surface with the metal lining. There were two seat sections on each side, long -enough for two patients, so that eight seats were provided. Each stretcher swung on a curved track, so as to facilitate it passing through the wide bind central door. A folding washbasin was fitted to the partition, with water bottle and glass on the right and a two-quart vacuum flask on the left. This flask provided the hot water, whilst cold water was stored in a tank by the side of the driver. This method of carrying the hot water permits complete sterilization. There was a small cupboard under the washbasin cabinet, two louvre panels -each side, with the number-plate illuminated from the inside under the roof. The interior was designed with rounded corners and painted throughout in. white enamel.
The general impression gained from a survey of the bodywork at Olympia is that thoroughness has been shown in the design and in the workmanship, the aim being to. make bodies that shall really fulfil requirements and do the work required of them; and shall give a satisfactory period of sefyice. In other words, the very best traditions of the British coachbuilding industry are maintained.