BUS AND COACH BODY SPECIALISTS.
Page 29
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Brief Details of the Passenger Vehicle Bodies Constructed by a Southport Company with Particular Reference to a Saloon Bus Model which is Proving Most Popular.
WITH THE remarkable development of the passenger road motor vehicle during the past decade many of those old-established coachbuilders who hitherto concert: trated on the production of bodies for the transport of freight now pay increasing attention to the design of types of body which are suitable for fitting to chassis intended to he used for bus or coach service. Messrs. W. Manning and Sens, 64, Chatham Road. Birkdaie, Southport, fall within this category, for as 'bodybuilders they have been established for a period of 30 years, and they are now devoting much of their activity to meeting the needs of passenger, vehicle owners.
One of this company's designs of a saloon bus body which is proving very popular is that which is illustrated on this page mounted on a Fiat 'chassis. The body is of the front=entrance pattern; that is to say; it is of the type used on vehicles under the control of one man, and it is arranged to carry a maXiMum number of 19 passengers exclusive
of the driver. The seating arrange= anent conforms to what is more or less' conventional practice in bodies of , this type, transverse seats, each to accommodate two persons,' being disposed on
bothof a central ,gangway, which gives access tóthe _rear cOmpartment.. The seats are framed up in selected wood, and they are securely bolted to the floor as well as being fixed to the framework of the body sides. As -is often the case with gangway-type vehicles, arrangements are made for carrying additional passengers on seats which can be readily _removed when not required. There is also a seat mounted to the left of the driver, and this can b3 readily tipped up to give easy access to the main seating compartment. The cushions of the seats are built up on spring frames, which are upholstered in leather, and deep and springy back squabs are also used, in order to give the utmost comfort to passengers even on rough roads.
The framework of this saloon bus body is, -01.9 is usual 'in bodies of this type, carried out in good-quality ash, all joints being mortised and tenoned, or half-lapped, and well screwed. The body superstructure is mounted on longitudinal runners, and the utmost rigidity is secured :by bolting it to the channel cross-members.
The panelling of the lower half of the body is carried out in sections of. sheet steel, which are securely fixed to the framing, the rear corners of the body, which are rounded, -being beaten to shape. The joints in the panel sections are covered by suitable mouldings. The lining boards of the panels are of three. ply, and they are fixed to the sidepillars. Buffer mouldings, which serve the purpose of protecting the panels from cer
tain damage, rim right round the body about tile waist rail.
The domed roof a the bus is of f-in. match-boarding, and it is carried on ash hoop sticks, which are strengthened with steel brackets. The roof boards are coveted ,with waterproof canvas, which is painted white, and a drip moolding,'which is screwed to the cant rails,' extends round the complete contour of the roof.
--The 'passenger entrance is of the twopiece type, and, as is usual, it is ''eontithed by mechanical means from the driver's seat. An emergency door is fitted at the rear.
Due consideration has been given to the important question of lighting. Four large framed windows are fitted on each side of-the body, and two of them (one on each side) can be lowered. There is , also a large oval light in the rear
panel. Apart from natural lighting, the question of artificial illumination has also received proper attention, and Rine electric lamps are inchided in the interior equipment. TO eliminate the risk attendant upon refraction when the vehicle is in use at night, a partition is fitted • behind the driver's seat—a point in design which is now receiving considerable attention from many builders. , :
The body certainly presents a very neat and pleasing appearance. So far as the interior is concerned, all panels, seat framing; -underside of roof, etc., are finished in the nattiral .celianr, whilst the lining boards and seals backs are Stained and varnished.
Examples of this particular type of saloon bus body are being used by many owners in various parts of the country, and the fact that this model is proving so popular amongst passenger-vehicle concerns is largely due to the quality of the production and the attractive price at which it is sold.
We might add that the company also undertake considerable work in cornicetion with the ' manufacture of motorcoach bodies, one of which we also illustrate. This particular body, which is an 18-20-seater, is mounted on a 50-cwt. Lancia Z-type chassis. It is built on well-proportioned lines, and due regard to the comfort and .convenience of pease/veil' has been considered in its design. Armchair, seats, fear in a row, are used, and they are divided into twos by a central gangway. The upholstery is parried out in red leather, which fOrrna adistinct contrast to the pleasing shade of Royal blue in which the body exterior is finished. This partieular vehicle was recently delivered to Messrs. Smith and ,Sons,. ofKidsgrove, Staffordshire, for use in the: Potteries.