AT MANCH ESTER. Napier—Walker (Pagefield)—Star.
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Napier. Stand No. 20.
The first thing that attracts the attention of the visitor to this stand is an excellent 20-seater char-h-banes, an example of the new smaller type which is rapidly growing in popularity. The aluminium panel body has some very pleasing lines about it. It is at a good. height from the ground, in that passengers are well out of any dust likely to be raised, and the high-class leather upholstery and an exceptional amount of knee room will undoubtedly afford a luxurious form of travelling. It is fitted with the Esmond patent oneman hood, to which we shall hope to refer again next week. The 30-owt. chassis, and the two complete delivery vans also staged give evidence that this manufacturer is catering well for the goodscarrying side of the industry as well as for passenger transport. Mr. Toni Garner, the company's North of England agent, informed us that. Lancashire users speak very favourably of Napier machines, and that the 30-cwt. model is selling particularly well. The sale of business Napiers is steadily increasing.
Walker. Stand No. 21.
The principal exhibit. of the three models staged by this maker is undoubtedly the 30-seater char--abanes, named "The Catch of the Season." The body is mounted on a three-ton subsidy-type chassis, this company having been awarded the War Office's certificate in the last October trials.. The engine is capable of developing 40 h.p. on the brake, and the cylinders. are east in pairs, with the inlet and exhaust valves disposed on opposite sides of the casting. Accessibility of the magneto is a thing that strikes one immediately upon lifting the bonnet. The driving shaft far this accessory is inclined at an angle of about 28 degrees from the horizontal. A Claudel-Hobson carburetter provides the means for induction. The extra large waterpipes fitted afford an efficient cooling medium on the thermo-syPhonie principle. A hot-water coil is conducted from the bottom outlet of the radiator round the induction pipe for jacketing purposes. Examination of the chassis showed that the construction has been well thought out. A point worth mentioning is that duplex adjustment is fitted to the loco-type brake behind the gearbox, one hand wheel for adjusting the shoes, the other for the hand lever. The final drive is by means of propeller shaft and double-reduction spur and bevel gear. The rear axle is a one-piece forging, and the housing for the gearea.se is inclined slightly from the vertical. The differential case is divided into two portions at the rear of the axle, so that the differential or the main gear itself can be readily examined or taken away without having to jack up the car. This also applies to the removal of the differential shafts. The cast-steel rear road wheels are shod with twin tires. The two-ton chassis winch is staged is fitted with a 30-35 h.p. engine, the. final drive in this case being by means of side roller chains. The other completed exhibit is a threeton platform lorry made to the order to Joseph Elgey, of Seaham Harbour. Pressed-steel frames are fitted on all models. This company's motor side is now worthy its reputation in other branches of engineering.
Star (O'Brien). Stand No. 25.
Messrs. N. F. O'Brien and Co., the Manchester and district agents for the well-known Star productions, have staged a two-ton chassis of this make. We have kept out readers very well posted as to the various.
Star modals, and our favourable comments from time to time are constantly 'being emphasized by the increasing sales with which the machines turned out by the well-known Wolverhampton concern are meeting. The model shown has many interesting constructional features. There is a, freedom from complication in all parts that require periedic attention, and any ordinary mechanic should find the machine very easy to handle. The cylinders are cast in pairs, and the valves are all disposed on one side of the engine. The power unit and four-speed gearbox are mounted on a sub-frame, and perfect alignment is thus assured under all conditions of service. The final drive is by means of the well-known Star double-reduction type of spur and bevel gearing. The rear axle corn ponent is indeed a very stout job. The rear road wheels are fitted with twin tires, their dimensions being 880 mm. by 00 mm.