Chassis v. Body Exhibits F OLLOWING a large and important exhibition
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such as the Commercial Motor Show, it is always of interest to learn of reactions to it on the part of the people who are staging their products. On this occasion a definite trend, which may be brought into fruition before the next event, is towards giving an opportunity to the more important coachbuilders to have a reasonable share of the accommodation in the centre of the hall. At present, this appears to be wholly the perquisite of the chassis-makers and some of these show chassis only.
The main reason for the movement is that a variety of double-deckers and other vehicles occupying considerable space and height has to be accommodated under the galleries, where they are not only crowded but lose something in value as exhibits. Many bodybuilders now consider themselves as much engineers as those constructing chassis—some are even producing complete vehicles with proprietary or chassis-makers' components—and they may perhaps justifiably feel that they are not receiving quite the fair treatment which they believe they deserve. Their case is certainly a strong one, We understand that this matter is to be taken up seriously by some of those who suggest that chassis could be displayed just as well on the borders of the more central and larger stands. No doubt, some compromise will be arrived at, but we would not be at all surprised if, before the next Show, the bodybuilders were afforded the opportunity of entering the ballot for a proportion of the choice stand sites upon which they now have their eyes.
At the same time, we feel that the Commercial Motor Show in particular, as, perhaps, distinct from the private car exhibition, should invariably have a representative display of chassis. Whilst there is, of course, a general interest in bodywork, the operators and engineers in our field are also ,closely concerned with the technical design of every part, and little can be observed of the chassis when the bodies are mounted.