A Good Samaritan
Page 53
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of the present day
CONSIDERAB pains have been LU taken in the production of a Bedford breakdown lorry which is now offered for sale as a standard product by General Motors, Ltd., Edgware Road, London, N.W.9, in conjunction with the well-known bodybuilding concern, Sperling Motor Bodies, Ltd., The Hyde, London, .N.W.0.
Close collaboration betv7een the chassis and body makers, and the Harvey Frost concern, which supplies the breakdown gear, has resulted in a most useful machine, which it is possible to offer at a remarkably low price.
The outfit is known as the Bedford Good Samaritan because it is reckoned
not merely to help home vehicles that "fall by the wayside," but also to be prepared for effecting ordinary repair jobs °tale road. In addition to this, the makers have contrived to give the machine a shapely and attractive appearance, so that it shall serve as a useful medium of publicity for the Bedford dealer.
There is no doubt that the breakdown lorry generally is not the asset that it ought to be to the garage concern which owns it. Such a machine is but occasionally on the road and, when standing by, it is wrong that, because of an unpleasing appearance, it should have to be parked in an out-of-the-way corner. Well founded and well kept, and having
something of the appearance of readiness which one associates with the fireengine, it is certain that, when stood in a prominent position, the breakdown lorry is capable of serving its masters, even when ostensibly off duty. Apart from this, it is important that, when being driven out to a job or when towing in a vehicle, the breakdown machine should look in every way as efficient as in fact it is.
In this case, the Bedford short-wheelbase 2-ton chassis is the model selected, and this, together with the fully enclosed cab, is a standard General Motors product. The body is built up with wellseasoned ash framing and has a length behind the cab of 6 ft., the width being ii ft. 6 ins. The height of the body sides, which are panelled in steel, is 1 ft. 6 ins. As will be noticed from the accompanying illustrations, the top and rear corners of the, panelling are rounded.
Storing the Equipment.
At the front end, just behind the cab, is a full-width locker, access to which is obtained by means of a door at each side. In this locker can he stored shovels, pick-axes, tow bars, wire hawsers and other appliances.
On the top of the locker is a large tray, recessed so as neatly to accommodate a coMplete outfit of tools suitable for repair work. When a recessed tray of this kind is employed, the absence of any essential tool is instantly noticeable, there is quick access to the particular tools required, and they are prevented from rattling. The tray is covered by a hinged lid, finished in polished aluminium.
The Harvey Frost equipment comprises a light commercial salvage crane of three toms capacity, alight commercial ambulance having twin wheels, a universal towing pole, a distance bar, steering locks, a rigidly fixed coupling bracket for the towing and distance bars and for the two rear supportiaa jacks, and a universal joint for attaching to the end of the ambulance pole.
The salvage crane, which is handoperated, is anchored down through the flooring to the chassis frame, thus giving it a secure foundation. The towing ambulance is neatly housed beneath the job, from which position it can be speedily removed.
On the top of the jib is a powerful searchlight. The spare wheel is housed in a tray under the tail of the frame, where it does not get in the way of the men, whilst at the rear a strong vice is bolted to the floor, which then serves as a bench. The appearance of the complete machine is very greatly enhanced by a chromium-plated hand rail of large diameter, strongly fitted along the top of the body at each side and curving down to the floor, level at the rear.
The trade list price for the complete breakdown lorry, including the equipment enumerated above, is i286, which, of course, is extremely reasonable, considering the value of the Bedford chassis and the equipment and bodywork provided. A feature of the chassis is the power of the engine, which is known to develop a useful torque at low speeds, this being suitable for breakdown duty.