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The British Field at Geneva

9th March 1951, Page 39
9th March 1951
Page 39
Page 40
Page 39, 9th March 1951 — The British Field at Geneva
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W1TZERLAND as a market for 'commercial vehicles is surrounded Ir by keen competitors—Germany, .nee, Italy and Belgium—and is not from others, even Some behind the n Curtain. Consequently, Britain, far loved, has to face many rivals more antageously situated. Despite this,

• makers are fairly well represented the Geneva Show, both from the nt of view of exhibits and those who ;•e them.

ks regards makes, there is the represented by the Commercial -pbration; Austin, by Emil Frey; Iford, by General Motors Suisse Commer and Karrier, by Blanc Paiche S.A.; Dodge, by Fratelli ibrorali; Ford and Fordson are in hands of the Ford Motor Co. lgium) S.A,; Morris-Commercial ihits are staged by J. H. Keller

Right) T he new Seddon 3tanner creating much interest. It nbodies a Perkins P.4 oil gine. Girliqg brakes and hypoid drive

A.G.; Seddon by J. H. Gaewiller; Standard by Neue Amag-Automobil und Motoren A.G., whilst the only battery-electric truck, the Tomlinson, is cared for by Tilka-Handels A.G.

One of the biggest arrays is that of the Austin concern, and includes a short-wheelbase 5-ton chassis with cab and Eaton two-speed rear axle, the whole being conspicuously painted bright orange; a standard 5-ton chassis with a cab, and a 115-ft. wheelbase coach chassis with Swiss bodywork. In the lighter range, there is a 2-tonner with Swiss-built, drop-sided lorry body; a 25-cwt, van with three-way loading and unloading, the 300 cubic ft. of body space being reached by doors at the rear and sides. Care for the sick is represented by a A125 ambit/ante. As shown, the A70 pick-up has a Swiss body, and the remaining two vehicles are an A40 van and A40 Countryman.

Five Commer Models

Commer has taken the floor with five models, the largest being a 5-1onner with forward-control, underfloor engine and Swiss-built drop-sided body. Next is the 4-5-ton long-wheelbase Superpoise chassis and cab, given increased flexibility by an Eaton two-speed back axle. Then there are two 25-cwt. proaucts, one the Superpoise van, and the other a Superpoise chassis with cab, fitted with a Swiss-built platform body. The Express delivery van is a particularly neat job providing comfort for the driver, left-hand drive and ample body for its size. It is well finished in light blue and cream, The only Karrier model is a Bantam 2-ton chassis and cab. This is, how,ever, notable in being the first of this type to have left-hand drive.

The Seddon MIC7L. is the new model which was first seen at Earls Court. it n5 is a 3-tonner with Perkins fourcylindered engine and Girling hydraulically operated two-leading-shoe brakes with high centre lift, four-speed gearbox and hypoid final drive. Originally designed to cope with an expected demand in the home market, this model immediately attracted attention from overseas buyers, over 70 per cent, of the large first batch being at once ordered for export.

Amongst the many vehicles featured in the Morris-Commercial exhibit is the new 3-tonner, which is shown with both standard and Swiss-built bodies. A sectioned exhibit enables the six-cylindered o.h.v. petrol engine to be studied in detail. The new unit has a capacity of 4.25 litres, which is derated for use in the 3-tonner (for it is also employed in the 5-tonner), and in this form it delivers 70 b.h.p. at 2,600 r.p.m. Other features are a Borg and Beck 11-in. clutch, four-speed gearbox. two-piece propeller shaft, spiral-bevel rear axle and Lockheed two-leading-shoe brakes. The insulated all-steel cab has a special air-circulating system.

Morris Lightweights In the lighter range, there are a Cowley and a 5-cwt. van, the J-type 10-cwt, van, the P.V. type, and the L.C.25-30-cwt. truck. The new Cowley chassis is based on the Morris Oxford car, but has a lower back-axle ratio. The engine, of 1.47 litres, has a maximum output of 40.5 b.h.p., and the four-speed gearbox has synchromesh engagement; hypoid drive is used for the semi-floating axle.

The Standard exhibits are naturally in the low-capacity field, the van being built for payloads up to 12 cwt. The pick-up accommodates the same weight of load.

Features of the Standard commercial chassis are a 2.08-litre, four-cylindered petrol engine, Borg and Beck 9-in. clutch, synchromesh engagement of all three forward speeds, with the gear change on the 'steering column, and a well-designed suspension—independent n6 at the front by means of coil springs. and by long semi-elliptics at the rear, the latter being combined with an antisway bar.

The two models of the Tomlinson battery-electric vehicle are the pedestrian-controlled Roadster, suitable for both road and factory use, and the Roadster Stand On. The latter is a truck specially designed for the larger factory, where it is desirable for the operator to ride on the vehicle. A neat cab, built high, affords him protection, and he can either stand or sit as he wishes. The forward position of the driver allows the maximum use of the platform area, and the design can be arranged for maximum speeds of 31 or 51-6 m.p.h.

Each model has a worm-driven differential axle. Layrub couplings on the transmission shaft, and a 2 h.p. motor with four-pole brush gear. The sturdy frame is of channel steel, and the capacity is 20 cwt. Internal-expanding brakes of 7-in, diameter are fitted to both rear wheels; operation of these on the pedestrian-controlled truck is by movement of the steering arm, and a parking control device is embodied.

The maker deserves a good export market, for Tomlinson trucks are being built to the same specification and equipped with a luxury coach body. Features of this vehicle are a full-length electrically operated sunshine roof. Plexiglass panels and sliding-type seating: the seats are individual, and the arrangement is such that those nearest the gangway can be slid towards the centre to give more room when the gangway is not in use. The vehicle has been built for a firm of coach operators in Geneva.

It is rather unfortunate for the Vauxhall concern that its new Bedford Model S 7-tonner, which was one ot the centres of attraction at Earls Court, cannot be displayed at Geneva because of certain limits on the capacity of foreign vehicles which may be shown there. However, there is a good selection of Bedford lighter models on view.

The smallest is the PCV 10-12-cwt. van. Next in order of capacity is the K 11-tonner, which can be used for truck bodies or as an ambulance chassis. Other products of the company are 3-, 4and 5-tonners, all of which can be obtained in short or long wheelbases, the latter being particularly suitable for passenger-carrying bodies.

Tags

Organisations: Earls Court
Locations: Geneva, Austin

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