Light Vans and Parcelears Mo No. 1 w 8 *-8-cT 1r Rex del. 8 *-8-cT 1r Rex del.
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Developments in the light-van industry continue to grow apace to a remarkable extent. Those of our readers who have followed closely this particular series, cannot, we feel sure, fail to have been impressed by the impartial manner in which we have brought these developments to their notice as occasion demanded. From the outset it has been our continual endeavour only to give publicity to those productions which can legitimately be claimed to come under the category of light-van construction, and which, in our opinion—and our experience in the matter is a very lengthy one, will be certain of rendering users satisfactory service.
This week we are enabled to publish particulars of yet another Coventry-built light van. It is a 8 cwt. model, and has just been introduced by the Rex Co., of Coventry. An inspection of one of the chassis at once gives an impression that the Rex people have a good knowledge of what the general tradesman requires for the express delivery of his goods. As will be seen from one of our accompanying illustrations, the very roomy canvas-covered body is quite a general-utility feature.
With regard to the chassis, the construction is framed on sound first principles, and, moreover, is quite free from complicated design. it is engined with a 10 h.p. fourcylinder motor of the monoblee type, built by the Dorman Co. The cylinders have a bore of 64 mm., whilst the working stroke is 85 mm. All the tappet mechanism is en-closed in a light dustproof shield, the valves being operated by a single camshaft. Cooling water is circulated by thermo-syphon action, and both the inlet and outlet pipes are certainly of ample :proportions.
It is interesting to note that this maker favours the unit principle of construction in the forward portion of the main transmission, i.e., the engine, clutch-case and gearbox are mounted in the frame en masse, so that accurate alignment is assured with a minimum amount of erecting. The gear ratios are 51, 92! and 16i to 1 respectively. Mounted immediately behind the gearbox, with the .minimum amount of overhang, is a pm type of universal joint, and to this is connected the propeller shaft which transmits the drive to the live axle. There is, of course, another universal at the other end.
The final drive is by worm and worm-wheel gear-set, the driving member being housed on top of the axle. The worm shaft revolves in large-sized roller bearings, and end thrust is taken up by a compound bearing of the bail type. A refinement worth recording is that a gland is provided at the forward end of the worm shaft, which ensures economy in the matter of lubricant.
The differential shafts are of the semi-floating type, which, to our mind, is excellent practice in axle design, as by this method the driving shafts get the maximum of bearing surface and yet are called upon solely to transmit the driving
torque. The large-sized roller type of bearing is also a feature of the axle. The driving shafts are enclosed in malleable cast-iron sleeves, which are quite stout enough to take all dead weight.
Both the service and emergency brakes take effect on drums mounted on. the rear road wheels.
The chassis is suspended at three points, the usual type of plate springs being fitted at the rear. In the model under present consideration, the back springs are relied upon to transmit the drive, but on future models the manufacturers intend to enclose the propeller shaft in a torque tube, which will relieve the springs of driving stress. The front portion of the machine is suspended on an inverted transverse spring shackled to the I-section axle. The main frame is built up of pressed steel, and each member is straight from end to end. The cross members are also of channel section. Steering is by worm and sector, and the cross rods are placed well behind the front axle. The machine runs on Sankey pressed-steel detachable wheels, and 760 mm. by 90 mm. Wood-Milne tires are specified. The wheel base is 7 ft. 6 ins., the track is 3 ft. 9 ins. The machine is listed at £180.