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SINGERS INTRODUCE TWO LIGHT VAN MODELS
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Full Details of Interesting New Low-priced but Well-equipped Vehicles.
TE British light van has, unquestionably, been neglected in the past, but the attention of home manufacturers is now being turned to the huge field, which, up to a short time ago, has been the speciality of certain foreign makers. The latest additions to the " small " van market hails from that successful motorcar concern, the Singer Co., Ltd., of Coventry, the vehicles being built to the same high standard of efficiency and finish as that of the cars that have made the name Singer a household term among the private motoring fraternity.
The vans are made in two sizes; the smaller one, nominated the "Junior ' model, costs £135, whilst the larger one, which for the sake of clarity is nominated the "Light" delivery van, sells complete with a very full equipment for £185. A very important point to bear in mind when considering the price Of these two models is that by a judicious saving in weight the tax for the smaller one is but £10, and for the larger one £16, which, combined with economically operating en,ines, reduces running costs accordingly.
Let us deal first with the Junior model. The chassis employed is almost identical with that of the well-known Singer Junior ear; thus the engine is an 8 h.p. four-cylindered type, with a bore of 55 min, and a piston stroke f 86 ram., giving a cubic capacity of 838 c.c. Overhead valves are operated by a chain-driven overhead camshaft, with the distribution for the oil pump, magneto and dynamo located at the front end of the unit. The dynamo and magneto are skew-driven and are tilted into such a position that the inspection of the contact breaker and dynamo brushes is very easy. A pump and trough lubrication system is employed with adequate filtering arrangements.
A single dry-plate clutch and three D40 speed centrally controlled gearbox are mounted nnitwise with the engine. The gear ratios of 5 to 1, 9.7 to 1, and 18 to 1 are adequate for all ordinary purposes, so that a vehicle operating in a very hilly district can be sure of climbing all severe gradients and, at the same time, to maintain a good average speed. Contrary to usual practice in so small a vehicle, the final drive is in two stages, the rear section being provided with a torque tube to form a proper location for the rear axle, which, by the way, is suspended on quarter elliptic springs. The inclusion of front-wheel brakes, a five-lamp six-volt lighting and starting set, a speedometer, horn, and spare wheel and tyre is, considering the price of £135,. exceptionally good.
The van body has unquestionably a fine appearance and, what is very important, little refinements have been. included which add materially to the usefulness of the vehicle. The cab has two doors, each fitted with celluloid. aide screens that can be folded away very neatly when not required. There is also a sliding communicating door at the back of the Calving seat, which affords aceesa th the interior of the van.
With overall dimensions of length 11 ft. 2 ins., height 5 ft. 8 ins., and width 4 ft. 6 ins., the interior of the van has a capacity of apprOximately 60 cubic ft., the length being 4 ft., width 3 ft. 11 ins., and the height 3 ft. 10 ins. A single door or double doors at the rear can be fitted if desired at no extra charge.
The lines of the larger model are quite
similar. The engine, however, has a bore of 63 min, and a stroke of 105 mm. (1,308 c.c.), and the valves . are operated by push-rods instead of by overhead camshaft, as in the Junior model. The wheelbase, is over a foot longer than that of the Junior model, being 8 ft. 71 ins.; the track is 4 ft. Par the benefit of those operators -who have only restricted garage accommodation, the following overall dimensions will prove interesting :—The length-1 including neadguards, tail lamp, etc.— is 12 ft. .1-4 ins., the Fall width is 5 ft. 6 ins., and the height is 6 ft. 2 ins., -whisb, considering the generous dimensions of the chassis' and the capacity of the body (approximately 80 cubic ft.), are very moderate figures. Actually, the interior of the van measures 3 ft. 11 ins, from side to side, is 4 ft. 11 ins. long, and 4 ft. 21 ins. high. The equipment includes a Rotax 12-volt lighting and starting set, with six lamps,electric and bulb horns,' an oil g,oarge, flush-fitting Jaeger trip speedometer, a clock, automatic ..aiitilscreen wirier, Dunlop reinforced low-pressure tyres with' spare, spring gaiters, four-wheel brakes and shock absorbers.
The vehicles can be finished in cellulose to any desired two-colour scheme. On the road, the engine, being of the light, efficient type, gives a `.` nippy " performance with low fuel an oil bills. The driver's' -seat, no less than 4 wide, is upholstered in featherand is very, comfortable, a characteristic that makes the van useful for long as well" as for short journeys. This Model, which is Priced at £185, certainly represents, in our opinion, very good value for money.