Rationalized Appearance and Detail Improvements in the Specification of the Half-deck Coach Make it More Attractive Than Ever
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A COMPLETELY revised ri half-deck coach is to be shown at Earls Court this month by Mann Egerton and Co., Ltd., 5, Prince of Wales Road, Norwich. Based on the Foden ED/6 rear-engi..ed chassis powered by a two-stroke unit, the coach seats 50 passengers. the maximum permitted by the regulations covering this type of vehicle.
Because a rear-engined chassis has been employed, the bodybuilder has been able to move the entrance door ahead of the front axle, so that its window now lines "up with the windscreen and corner-panel glazing. Each of the symmetrical side windows is situated alongside a fourseat compartment. Unladen weight is under 8 tons.
At the front, the glazing is no lonz--T taken up into the roof, but above the screen a full-width uppertier windscreen is fitted, which is turned round the side of the body, as is the windscreen. Similarly, the upper rear window is brought round the side of the body.
The outward appearance of the body is exceptionally attractive and is devoid of exaggerated ornament. The coach looks an essentially practical vehicle, and passengers enjoy excellent visibility, and an unusually high degree of silence, because each set of four seats represents a sound-insulating barrier. There is also ample space for luggage.
The wide, inward-hinging front entrance door opens on to a low step. An emergency door is fitted at the rear on the off side and a second emergency
exit is located in the roof. Therais also a sliding section • in the roof. Individual lighting is arranged in each compartment, in addition-to the gang-way lighting.
Special attention has been given to the question of ventilation. Fresh air is drawn in at the front of the body and passes through ducts to the individual compartments. The incoming air can be heated if necessary. There are alsç eight intake, and extractor vents in the roof, and two small hinged ventilation sections at the top of the windscreen. Sliding sections may be specified in the side windows.