Economical Delivery Units for the Tradesman
Page 69
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ANUMBER of interesting light commercial vehicles in the three-wheeled class is being exhibited at the Bicycle and Motor Cycle Show which opened at Olympia, London, on Monday last, and which closes to-morrow.
On Stand 29, the Raleigh Cycle Co., Ltd., Nottingham, is exhibiting examples of its three-wheeled delivery vehicle, a road test of which was published in our issue dated October 26. Built on car lines, the chassis is equipped with a twin-cylindered air-cooled engine having a capacity of 742 c.c. The drive is taken through a plate clutch to a unit-mounted three-speed-and-reverse gearbox, thence by an open propeller shaft, with flexible fabric couplings, to a spiral-bevel rear axle with semi-floating shafts. Long semi-elliptic springs with shock absorbers are used at the rear, the single front wheel being mounted in a spring fork of the motorcycle type. The &cwt, delivery van is priced at 95 guineas, and a light open lorry is marketed at the same figure.
An interesting parcels carrier is shown by the Enfield Cycle Co., Ltd., Redditch, on Stand 20. The rear of the machine is of straightforward motorcycle design, but in place of the front wheel there is a tubular framework carried on two small pneumatic-tyred wheels. Steering is effected by a link motion to the front wheels from the steering head. Carried in the tabular framework at the front of the machine is a parcels basket of 17 cubic ft. capacity.
A single-cylindered two-stroke engine of 225 c.c. capacity is used, and it is equipped with a fan which directs a stream of cool air over the cylinder. Coil ignition is employed, and a three-lamp lighting set is provided as standard equip
ment. A three-speed gearbox is fitted and the drive to the rear wheel is by chain. Brakes are provided on each wheel, the two front brakes being operated by twin cables from a lever on the handlebars, whilst the rear brake is operated by a pedal. We understand that this machine is to be marketed at a price of £45.
On Stand 8 are shown examples of the James Handyvan, manufactured by the James Cycle Co., Ltd., Greet, Birmingham. Two models are available for pay-loads of 8 cwt. and 12 cwt., and they are priced at £105 and £125 respectively. The vehicles are equipped with an air-cooled twin-cylindered engine and three-speed-and-reverse gearbox, and the transmission is by means of an open propeller shaft to a spiral-bevel rear axle. Steering is effected by means of a wheel centrally mounted, and the driver sits astride the engine cowling. The van bodies are of 70 cubic ft. and 100 cubic ft. respectively, and an open lorry-type body is also available on the 8-cwt. chassis.
'A commercial van-type sidecar is exhibited by MillsFulford, Ltd., Coventry, on Stand 136. The body is ashframed and has steel panels lined with plywood. Doors are fitted at the rear and in the front sloping panel. This body is available on two alternative chassis, and is priced at £15 10s. and £16 5s. respectively.