ACTIVITIES OF A SOUTHPORT COACHBUILDER. .
Page 23
Page 24
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Some Details of Recent Products, with Special Reference to a New 20-seater Bernet Bus.
EXTENSIVE new works for the ,production in quantities of highclass bus bodies have recently been opened by Spicers Motors, Ltd., at 141a, Shakespeare Street, Southport. Modern machinery has been installed and everything, from the treatment of the rough timber to the trimming, painting and final finishing, can be carried out under
the one roof, whilst the works will allow considerable expansion when this becomes necessary.
So far as the actual bodies are concerned, the best graded English ash is employed throughout for the framing, and it is the aim of the builders to combine lightness with strength in their products. Theyclaim to have had extensive experience in the design and construction of single-deck buses.
The accompanying illustration allows a Bpicer • 20-seater body mounted on a new Berliet chassis and recently supplied to Wright Bros.' Garages, of South Normanton, Derbyshire, for service in the Mansfield and Nottingham districts.
Other recent deliveries include a 26seater body with a rear safety entrance, on an A.E.C. 2-ton chassis, supplied for the Warrington district, and another type, with flush front door, drop windows and emergency door at the rear, also on an A.E.C. chassis. This is being utilized for long-distance touring and supplied ito a Flintshire user.
The framework of the Berliet bus is well stayed by cross-members disposed at suitable intervals, channel irons being introduced at the vulnerable points to ensure the utmost rigidity of the body. The fioorboarding is of tongued and grooved pine boards, the wearing slats being of ash. Steel braces are let into the bottom of the seats and the rear ribs to stiffen up the structure, whilst the roof ribs are similarly strengthened by the use of
steel plates. Fine matchboarding is used for the roof itself, which is rendered waterproof by a covering of highquality calico bedded in lead. A cornice runs completely round the roof contour.
Steel is employed for the exterior panelling, the joints between the sections being covered by ash mouldings. Plywood is the material employed for the internal panelling.
The seating conforms to conventional practice; that is to say, transverse seats facing forward—each to accommodate two persons—are disposed at each side of a central gangway which is 12 ins. wide, whilst the rearmost seat extends across the full width of the body.
A. neat feature is that the framework under the rear seats at each side of the emergency door is made to form lockers for the purpose of housing tools, etc. Further locker accommodation is afforded under the driver's seat, and the cushions over all these spaced' are readily detachable.
A flush door at the front serves as a passenger entrance, and the driver is screened off from the main body compartment by a partition at-the back of his seat, provision being made so that his view to the rear is not impeded. The emergency door extends the full width from the floorboards to the roof, and is capable of ready manipulation.
The interior panels and framing are finished in the natural grain and varnished, whilst the moulding and waist rail are stained to make a pleasing contrast.
There is a sliding glass panel to the right of the driver, which enables him to signal his intentions to others.
Lighting, both internal and external, is effected by means of a C.A.V. set, whilst provision is made for carrying a spare rim and tyre under the off side, of the body.
The exterior of the Berliet is finished in Royal blue with a cream top, the lettering being in gold, the whole presenting a very pleasing appearance. fact that it has been used mostly on country roads, which are not always kept in first-class condition. The good running of the vehicle has been. assisted by the efficient springing and the large pneumatic tyres which are fitted as standard.
The body illustrated has a wide door at the near side, approximately midway between the front of the body and the wheel arch. There is a second door at the rear which can be used either permanently or for emergency purposes only. A single step is provided at this point, whilst a combined running board and step is provided between the front and rear wings for the entrance at the side. In both cases the low height renders mounting, and dismounting a matter of the utmost ease.
Whilst being most capacious, the body is built on handsome lines with a gently swept turn-under. The back corners are also nicely rounded and the roof slightly domed. A compartment for the carrying of a spare wheel and tyre is fitted under the rear of the frame.
A.E.C. Renown Saloon Built by Strachan and Brown.
In the description of the A.E.C. Renown saloon bus which appeared in our issue of August 25th, and which included illustrations. both of the interior and exterior of the body, we omitted to mention that this handsome and excellently designed saloon was built by Strachan and Brown, the well-known engineers and coachbuilders of Wales Farm Road, North Acton, London, W13.
It should also be noted that the Enterprise bus which was illustrated was one supplied to Mr. Morrow. That supplied to Mr. jellIe was of exactly the same type, but is called the Classic.
Quite a number of duplicates of the bodies in question have been built by Sfrachan and Brown, and one of them will be exhibited at the forthcoming Commercial Vehicle Exhibition, possibly with a few modifications and the addition of novel fittings.
Rural Bus Service Control.
Cardigan County Council is communicating with the rural district authorities in the county and is requesting them to consider the desirability of securing powersof controlover omnibuses plying for hire in the areas over which they exercise jurisdiction.