An American Method of LIGHTENING BODYWORK
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Some Interesting Particulars of a Body, Built Chiefly of Metal, Which Weighs 47 cwt.
AMONGST American concerns concentrating on the construction of motor-coach bodies is the Lang Body Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, which has, for some years, been experimenting with means for weight reduction, whilst, at the same time, retaining the necessary degree of rigidity and strength to meet the requirements of operators working passenge r vehicles over all classes of road.
In an accompanying illustration is shown a saloon coach which the company recently completed for the Pioneer coast to coast service, that is, from New York to San Francisco. The vehicle, the basis of which is a normal-control six-cylinder chassis built by the American Car and Foundry Co., of New York, has sting accommodation for 27 persons, each passenger, except those at the rear, having a separate seat. The body is constructed chiefly of metal, its weight comPlete being 47 cwt..
From other illustrations it will be seen that the framing is built up of light steel strips, weight being saved . wherever possible by punching out round holes at regularly spaced intervals. The .strips are traced together by aluminium castings. Duralumin sheets, in place of those of steel, ,are used for the Panelling, the plates being • so fitted that, in case of accidental damage, they can be easily replaced.
All sheet-steel sections, which include posts and rails, and unexposed
sinmmmli Parts are given three coats of asphalt paint before anylinterior finish is applied. They are dipped in this paint prior to being assembled, after which they are sprayed. A third coat is put on after the wood blocks are attached for finishing purposes. The floor members are, before being fixed in position, also dipped in hot asphalt
Attention may be drawn to the manner in which the rear wheel-arches are formed. As the side sills have to be cut to accommodate the rise in the chassis frame members, this loss in strength is offset by the addition of plate girders on the insides of the posts, the girders carrying the load over the wheel arches. The plates are riveted to the posts on the insides and to the sills, and, in addition, are gusseted to the crossmembers which form the floor.
The luggage racks have a clearance above the bus floor of 4 ft. 10 ins., which gives a distance of 3 ft. 4 ins. between the seat tops and the bottom of the racks—an adequate allowance, enabling passengers freely to gain access and to move from their seats. Two doors are provided in the coach, one at the front , on the off side—the near side in America —and an emergency door behind the near-side rear wheel. All the windows, with the exception of those over the rear wheel-arches, are adjustable and are mined with devices which prevent rattling. Window regulators are not used, but stops are provided on the posts, to allow intervals of 3 ins. between the holding positions. The driver's seat is situated inside the main compartment. The maker claims that the new body is the lightest of its type so far constructed in the 'United States.
When comparison is made with some of the
astonishingly light bodies that have, in recent years, been produced in this country by a few of our leading coachbuilders, the product of the Lang Body Co. may not seem to be particularly light. It must, however, be borne in mind that the vehicle is equipped Oa a lavish manner.
For instance, the seats are of substantial design and proportions, the backs being exceptionally high, The chairs appear to have been built with a view to providing the maximum amount of ease to the passengers, weight being of secondary importance.
Then again, the luggage racks are unusually stout being composed of tithes. The wings are of generous size, and, altogether the vehicle appears to give a high degree of pomfort, combined with excellent visibility and ventilation.