Hillman Vans for Builders.
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We have had brought to our notice what may be considered in many respects to be a unique form of motor equipment, and one which should prove particularly interesting to builders, contractors, decorators, etc. Its production will no doubt tend to create a more active concern amongst body-builders to cater more fully for the building and allied trades than appears at present to exist.
The particular equipment under our consideration takes the form 01 a 10 h.p. Hiliman chassis, on which is mounted a body specially designed and constructed for use in the trades above referred to. It was built by the London Improved Motor Coachbuilders' Ltd., 149, Lupus Street, Westminster, S.W., to the order of Messrs. Tredegar and Co., Victoria Street, S.W., for their decorating and electrical departments. The body itself, although by no means made on the heavy side, is sufficiently substantial to withstand the hard wear which would be entailed in the carrying of building material, equipment, etc. Scaffolding, ladders, and lengthy pieces of timber are carried on the roof, and sets of rollers, conveniently placed thereon, allowing for the easy handling of these articles.
Underneath the body, to the left of the driver, provision is made for the carrying of an extra ladder, planks, etc., rollers being again provided in this instance. The interior of the van is well provided with shelves, which are hinged, so that, when not in use, they can be dropped to permit articles of bulk to be placed inside. Additional carrying capacity is given to the equipment. in thec form of a well, located underneath the body ; it is lined with sheet metal as a protection against the rougher class of material likely to be carried, such as tiles, special makes of bricks, cement, ballast, etc. At the front, an extension canopy is constructed, affording the driver protection in wet weather ; a sight window is fitted on each side the body in line with the driver. It will thus be seen that the builders have given attention to the smallest detail to the end that a serviceable body, capable of withstanding real hard wear, should be put on the market.
A brief description of the chassis portion will no doubt be of interest. As before mentioned, it is a 10 h.n. machine, and is manufactured by the Hillman Motor Car Co.. Ltd., Coventry. Several original features are embodied in the design and construction of the chassis, the principal being the. fitting of a "V " type two-cylinder engine. The cylinders are 1312 disposed at an angle of N degrees, and as they both act on one crank, unevenness of engine torque, usually associated with the ordinary type of twocylinder engines, is reduced to a minimum. The crankshaft, being suitably balanced, also tends to easy, smooth running.
A two-speed-and-reverse gearbox is fitted, and the final transmission system consists of propeller-shaft and bevel-gear drive to a live axle, which is enclosed in a substantial form of casting. The road wheels, of the artillery pattern, are shod with pneumatic tires, their sizes being 700 mm. by 8:5 mm,
The price of the complete machine ranges from £240. The average running costs of the vehicle, we understand, are such that a saving is effected over the older method of carrying builder's material by horsed vehicles. Under ordinary working conditions. including driver, petrol, tires, insurance, and maintenance, the cost is, 4.1d. per mile, based upon 300 miles a week. Although the outfit as described is marketed by the body-builders herein mentioned as standaad equipment, Belsize or any other suitable make of chassis can be supplied as required by -customers.