ATTRACTIVE DELIVERY
Page 44
Page 45
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
VANS of MARKED UTILITY
Our Bodybuilding Expert Shows How to Combine Attractive Body Lines and Decorative Displays with Efficiency in Operation, Loading and Unloading
THERE is always something new to record in the design of goods bodywork, because there is an ever-increasing number of persons interested in commercial vehicles. Fresh ideas are often the outcome of the practical experience of the user, sometimes being an improvement which will facilitate loading, or a feature which will make the van more attractive.
The bodybuilder is, visited and the idea is put into practical shape, and from his wide experience other developments are forthcoming. Moreover, the motor manufacturer is alert to the tendencies of body design and, when considering next season's models, often makes some modification which offers fresh scope for further new designs of bodywork.
Seeking Shapely Contours.
The desire most frequently expressed is for a more shapely. outline. The influence of the private saloon is to be seen in the shape of the roof and back panels of the smaller vans, and for the larger ones the bolder curves of the coach are often applicable.
But there are various differences of dimensions betweena goods and a passenger vehicle, consequently new outlines have to be evolved. As an instance, there is the van of maximum headroom with its Luton-type front and various ways are adopted B26 to reduce the wind resistance created by the large frontal area.
Much development has taken place in van design since facilities for side loading were introduced. There may be a side door near the front, its size depending on the space available between the front bulkhead and wheelarch. Often the opening is covered by a roller shutter, a device which does not project beyond the vehicle when open and is adaptable to both flat and curved openings, for which reasons the shutter has contributed much to the popularity of side loading, Side-loading Features.
Side loading may also extend over the wheel-arch, or, if required, access may be provided for the full length of the loading portion. A van with a full complement of side openings may
have a series of shelves and partitions, with doors or shutters.
Alternatively, by equipping it with glazed doors, the side of the van becomes a showcase. Travelling shops and showrooms, with their ingenious array of fittings, have had mach effect on the improvement of many of the details of the delivery van.
The Value of Forward Control.
An important type of goods chassis is that with forward control. The saving in overall length economizes garage space and facilitates manoeuvring. Hitherto, some classes of forward cab have been difficult of access, because the lower part of the doorway is curtailed by the wheelarch.
Much improvement has been effected by mounting the engine in relation to the front axle so" that all, or the greater part, of the cab is in front of the wheels. With this type of cab, further ease of access is afforded by a low floor level.
It is desirable that the driver should be able to enter or leave the cab quickly, in order that full advantage may be taken of any time saved by special arrangements of side doors, or other loading aids.
Ensuring Quick Entry.
With the normal type of steering, a" low. loading line, combined with a wide door, ensures quick entry. If the delay incidental to the opening and dosing of the door is to be eliminated, the near-side door is omitted. The driver's compartment has its usual off-sicle'cloor, and a reasonable amount of weather protection is afforded on the near side, especially if the scuttle dash widens . out abruptly between the dash and the entrance.
The doorless entrance has its ad vantages for house-to-house delivery and for such speedy work as the distribution'of newspapers to street vendors and shops. The van has then a driver's entrance similar to that of a London taxicab. This type of van may have a folding seat on the near side and the contents of the van are quickly available if the partition has a sliding door.
Given a shapely and well-proportioned van, the whole aspect may be transformed by the painter, letterer
and artist. Although much has already been achieved in decorative display, it is considered that there is still practically an unlimited field to explore.
Lettering varies from the conven tional to the latest modernistic expression. It is pointed, or made up of wood or metal letters. It may have the neatness and economy of display which are associated with the writing layout of a manufacturing chemist or a maker of scientific instruments. On the other band, a panel 14 ft. long and half as high is not large enough for the display of another manufacturer's announcement, because the lettering has to be carried on boarding extending above the roof.
The chief field for fresh ingenuity lies in the decoration of the panels with various devices which form a framework or background for the writing or pictorial display. , Such display may be confined to the loading portion, or include the panels of the cab. Alternatively, the latter may rbpea,t the decoration scheme of the loading portion on a smaller scale. The scope for a special disPlay of painting is much improved if the rear wheels be paddle-boxed, so that the scheme is not hampered by the wheel-archesIf paddle-boxes be adopted, the body must be wider than the wheels, but this does not necessitate any greater width than that over the front wings.
Novelty in Appearance.
It will thus be appreciated that, apart from the new designs of bodywork which are evolved as the result of the co-operation of owner, chassis manufacturer and bodybuilder, much novelty of appearance may be achieved by the use of well-applied paint. Furthermore, new colour schemes may be devised for existing vehicles, so that the owner's travelling publicity campaign conveys a new message.