AN INTERESTING 28-SEATER COACH.
Page 62
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A New Duple Body Mounted on an Example of the Lally _ Six-wheeled Chassis.
A N interesting 2S-seater coach body 1-1..has recently been completed by Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., The Hyde, Hendon, N.W.9, to the order of Messrs. Orange Motors, a Dover concern; it has been mounted on a Laffiy six-wheeled chassis, which has previously been described in The Commercial Motor. It will be recalled that chassis features of unusual interest are the braking system and the rear sus
pension. On each of the four rear wheels is a brake drum upon which four internal-expanding shoes operate, and, in addition, there is a pair of frontwheel brakes. The front brakes and those fitted to the foremost pair of driving wheels are simultaneously operated by the pedal, whilst the rearmost pair of brakes is separately controlled by hand. The chassis is supported by six semi-elliptic springs and comfortable riding is a feature.
In designing and constructing the bodywork full advantage has been taken a the fact that the chassis is of the six-wheeled type ; thus all the seats have been made to face forwards and are so arranged tlfht the small wheel arches necessary for the four rear wheels do not interfere with the arrangement of the interior. The coach has a handsome appearance, which is enhanced by the detachable ribbed panels or valances used to enclose the four rear wheels down to the level of, the hubs. Each panel drops down on a pair of tongs, and is then secured by latches at the top, these being operated by a square key. In this way it is held secure, but can very readily be detached when necessary—as, for example, to change a wheel.
The body panels and doors are carried right down outside the chassis frame to the level of the running boards, there being no valances. Consequently, the necessary step up is sunk into the floor and is covered by a section of false flooring when the door is shut. There are three doors in all— two on the near side, front and rear, and one on the off side of the driver's seat. The seating is planned so that there is accommodation for three passengers in line with the driver, five on a seat along the back and 20 in paired scats on each side of a central gangway. The accommodation throughout is roomy and comfortable.
The body tapers towards the scuttle and a sloping three-panel windscreen is fitted. Beclawat headwork is employed, and this embodies glass windows (controlled by rotary lifts) which slide in a duralumin framing: The top rails of the framing are utilized to carry the hood-sticks, which are mounted on rollers. It will be recalled that with this type of head the sticks are pushed back on the rails and the hood material is then folded independently. There are six drop windows on the near side and five on the off side, together with a divided slidable panel to the right of the driver, which facilitates signalling.
Two roomy lockers are provided at the rear, one above the other, far the storage of luggage and fdr housing the spare wheel and tyre. Additional storage space is provided in the shape of a locker fitted between each side et the body and the chassis frame ; these lockers' extend between each door and the foremost rear-wheel arch.
The body, scuttle and bonnet are painted throughout in a pleasing shade of orange with a thin black motdding running along each side some few inches below the level of the windows. The price of this body complete as illustrated is £550.
Incidentally, if deemed desirable, arrangements can be made to fit four emergency seats in the gangway so that 32 passengers can be carried.