A THREE-WHEELER
Page 52
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FOR 10 CWT. LOADS.
Strength and Simplicity the Chief Features of a New German Machine Just Placed Upon the British Market.
XTE were recently afforded an
V opportunity of examining and having a short trial run on an unconventional but apparently very efficient three-wheeled :parcelcar known as the Goliath, which is being marketed in this country by the concessionaires, Goliath ,Motors, Ltd., 9 and 10, Pancras Lane, Queen Street, London, E.C.4. This machine, in its open-truck form, is priced at £127 10s., and, as it carries loads of 10 cwt., is taxed at only 14 per annum and can be provided with a comprehensive insurance at £8, it should form a very economical means for transport. There is also an enclosedbox model, with a pressed-steel cover. This is priced at £130.
The first impressions which one receives on seeing the vehicle are of its strength and large-carrying capacity. The inside dimensions of the box are: Length, 6 ft. 7 ins.; depth, 2 ft. 3+ ins.; width, 2 ft. 11 ins.; whilst the overall length of the machine is 11 ft. 7 ins. and the overall width 5 ft. The enclosed-box pattern is slightly smaller, having a box length of 5 ft. 3+ ins. Here the overall length is 9 ft. 10 ins.
A Strongly-constructed Chassis.
Pressed channel-steel side members are employed for the frame: They are of exceptional depth and taper in to the rear driving wheel which, incidentally; is unsprung. The front axle, however, is mounted on long semi-elliptic springs. The axle itself is forged and closely resembles the Poid type, although it is rather lighter. The wood box is mounted upon light, pressed-steel
• B26 bearers and has car-type madguards. .A. well-sprung seat of the saddle type is provided for the driver and is mounted upon a steel casing covering the upper portion of the rear wheel and protecting the driving chains.
The Air-cooled Engine.
Power is afforded by an air-cooled, two-stroke-cycle engine of 7+ h.p., mounted vertically just behind the dash. The flywheel is vaned and is mounted in a housing which is open at the back, and the vanes are so arranged that air is sucked into the housing and ejected through a cowl over the gills of the cylinder. Extensions of the crankshaft drivc a waterproof Bosch magneto at the off side and a waterproof Bosch dynamo at the near side.
The drive for the rear wheel is taken from a sprocket on the crankshaft to a multiple-plate clutch on the primary shaft of a three-speed gearbox, of what is described as the Sturmey-Archer type and which, presumably, is built under licence. It is of the constantmesh type and there is no reverse gear. The controlling lever is carried in a slotted quadrant mounted on an extension of the steel cover upon which the driver's seat is supported. On the right footboard is the clutch pedal and on the left a pedal for internal-expanding brakes which act on all three wheels ; whilst close to the dash at the off side' is a lever operating the hand brake on the rear wheel only.
The steering is somewhat unusual. There is a wheel mounted vertically on a cast pillar casing carried on the dash, a roller chain within the casing runs down to a sprocket on a longitudinal shaft, a lever at the forward end of which operates the steering drag link. The arrangement is somewhat reminiscent of the steering on certain motor boats. To assist starting there is a decompressor operated by a lever above the engine and starting is effected hy kicking a lever on the gearbox in the usual way utilised on a motorcycle.
On the dash is a six-volt accumulator accommodated in a neat box, also a fuse
box. The equipment includes Bosch electric lighting, an electric horn, grease gun and a heavy canvas tilt which protects the contents of the box, the tilt, of course, applying only to the open mode/.
It is claimed that this machine will do a minimum mileage of 40 to the gallon of fuel and it can be run at speeds .9f from 2 m.p.h. to 00 m.p.h. Comfortable riding is ensured by the provision of 30-in. by 3.85-in, law-pressure tyres.
Easy to Drive. •
We found that with this machine it was possible to mount the driver's seat, start the engine with one kick and drive straight away without any difficulty. The steering is extremely light and this renders the machine particularly easy to manceuvre in traffic but, after driving a car, it is a few minutes before one becomes accustomed to it. The machine we tried was unladen, but a climb up a fairly stiff gradient showed us that the engine is a good, powerful puller on top gear ; whilst on the level, from a standing start, it is easy to drop into top in a dozen yards. Lubrication of the engine is effected on the petroil system.
It might be thought that the long box in front would make the driving of this vehicle somewhat difficult, but, personally, we found no trouble in this respect and the lock is suffieient to 'enable the machine to be turned easily in it fairly narrow road.