NEW VANS ON TRANSITS
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DEPRESENT1NG an extension of the .1-Nstandard Transit range, two new parcels vans announced by the Ford Motor Co. Ltd., have capacities of 290 Cu. ft. and 390 Cu. ft. and are known as the Transit 290 and Transit 390 respectively. Built under contract to the company by Strachans (Coachbuilders) Ltd., Ramble, Hants., the bodies are of the steel-panelled type and feature a glass-fibre windscreen surround and roof fitted with a translucent centre panel.
The Transit 290 is available with a Ford Vee-Four 1.7-litre petrol or a Perkins 4/108 diesel, which have outputs of 73 b.h.p. at 4,750 r.p.m. and 52 b.h.p. at 4,000 r.p.m. respectively. The Transit 390 is equipped with the Ford Vee-Four 2-litre petrol engine, that develops 85.5 b.h.p. at 4,750 r.p.m. Overall length of the 290 is 14 ft. 2 in. and that of the larger model is 16 ft. 8 in.
Both models have a width of 6 ft. 9 in. and approximately the same unladen height, the height of the 290 being 8 ft. 7.5 in. and that of the 390 being 0.5 in. less. Kerb weights vary from approximately 1 ton 9 cwt. and 1 ton 10 cwt. respectively for the petroland diesel-engined versions of the 290 (the diesel engine adds about 130 lb. to the weight of the vehicle) and 1 ton 13.5 cwt. for the 390. Gross vehicle weights of the two models are approximately 2 tons 7 cwt. and 3 tons 5 cwt., the corresponding payload ratings being about 18 cwt. and 35 cwt.
The large sliding door on each side of the driving compartment has a height of 6 ft. 4 in. and a width of 2 ft. 9 in., the rear opening provided by the standard hinged doors being 5 ft. 10.5 in. wide and 5 ft. 1 in. high. The loading height of the 290 is 2 ft. 4 in.; that of the larger model is 2 ft. 6 in.
A roller shutter or half-width doors (open
ing through 180 degrees) are available at an extra cost. The standard doors open through 270 degrees and fold forward against the sides of the van.
Other optional equipment includes an alternative rear-axle ratio, rear step, halfwidth bulkhead, roof ventilator, heater, rear quarter-bumpers, a tipping type single or dual passenger seat and sun visors for the driver and passengers. Interior fittings include longitudinal securing rails for the attachment of lighter items in the load.
Intended for use by a variety of distributive traders, including dry cleaners, bakers, confectioners, gown manufacturers, grocers and so on, both models are fitted as standard with an alternator to ensure that adequate charging current is available for frequent stops and starts and operation in dense traffic. Special springs and shock absorbers provide good riding characteristics.