The Rag and Bone Man's Motor.
Page 10
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By the Man Himself.
Mr. H. Bugbird, of 9, Hamilton Road, West Norwood, S.E., a letter from whom was published in our issue of the 7th ult., on the subject of motorvans for rag-and-bone merchants, has furnished the photograph from which the accompanying illustration has been introduced. He has at the same time sent the following interesting synopsis of his views about the employment of a vehicle in this class of commercial service to us,
" My view, as the rag-and-bone man, on the motorvan for rounds like mine, is that certainty has now
replaced doubt. Like many tradesmen, I was rather doubtful at first as to whether I could afford to use a _motor in my trade. " When I spoke to people, everybody had a different opinion, but, as I was a class by myself, I decided to make up my own mind, and so I ventured to purchase an old Panhard chassis, of the 1904 pattern, and with a, 12-16 h.p. engine. It had pneumatic tires.
" When I gat the machine, I ,was still very undecided as to whether it would do the round my way. I have to travel very slowly when calling—at only from two to three miles an hour. I had the body built in a manner to suit my business, as the photograph shows. At times, I am able to do from 10 to 12 m.p.h., and the car goes at that speed quite easily. That is between rounds.
" It is doing my work most satisfactorily, and I have, after keeping horses for 3.2, years, sold my last one.
As to the upkeep of the car, I am sorry that I have not a proper account at hand. Judging from the present outlook, and the experience I have had, the car will be as cheap to run as a horse was, and cheaper if I can cover enough miles. It gets me from one district to another in so much less time than the horse did, and leaves me free to start another slow run of calls in the fresh district. This is a great ad vantage.
" I also have the pleasure of telling my customers who may move from one of my rounds that distance is no object."