A New Motorvan and a New Motorcab.
Page 15
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Two Models Introduced by Messrs. The Caledonia Motor Engineering Co. 11
Two of the latest machines to be introduced into the commercial-vehicle world are: a new four-cylinder motorcab ; and a very smart 15-cwt. motorvan. Both of these vehicles were built at Granton, near Edinburgh, and their capabilities are now being demonstrated in London by their makers, Messrs. The Caledonia Motor Engineering Co. The cab is designed chiefly for work in hilly districts; the remarkable power and facile control of the engine may be gauged by the results of a recent test in Edinburgh's steepest thoroughfares, when it was found possible to continue driving most of the day on top gear. The engine has four cylinders, each3?-. in. in diameter, with a piston-stroke of in.; it develops 15-18 h.p. at its normal speed. The cylinders, as may be seen in one of our illustrations on this page, are cast in pairs with all the valves on one side. The high-tension magneto is most conveniently placed, so as to allow of the use of very short leads to the sparking plugs ; the sparkadvance connections are both simple and positive ; and the magneto driving shaft is situated transversely to the crankshaft and between the two cylinder castings, it being driven from the camshaft by means of skew gearing.
The thermo-syphon system of cooling is employed, and a large belt-driven fan is fitted behind the " indented-tub e" radiator The carburetter is one of the automatic type, and this component is largely responsible for the wide range of speeds at which the vehicle may be driven with the gears set for a direct drive through the gearbox to the live axle. Through a metal-to-metal cone clutch, the power is transmitted to the three-speed-and-reverse gearbox, of compact design, and the gears are controlled by means of a single gatechange lever which is provided with a simple, yet positive, interlocking device. The final drive is through a propeller shaft and bevel gearing to the live axle: the latter unit is anchored by means of a spring-mounted torque rod. The general design of the whole machine strikes us as having been most carefully considered, and both workmanship and material are of the best. The favourable impression which was formed of the cab, by a representative of this journal,when he " discovered " it at Turner's Garage, near Norbiton Station, has been strengthened by a subsequent examination of the parts, and a test. journey through some of the busy West-end streets.
The body of the motorcab illustrated is shown with short canopy over the driver, but, as a matter of fact, the.
makers have decided to extend the roof as far forward as . the dashboard, and to provide a substantial luggage rail round the fixed portion of the roof. Other luggage ac. commodation is provided by.the side of the driver.
The van is of most attrac. tire appearance, and there is ample room for the 15cwt. load which it is designed to carry. In all its general features, the van chassis is built on precisely the same lines as that of the motorcab, but the engine has only two cylinders; these, however, are half-an-inch larger in diameter than those of the engine on the cab chassis, whilst the piston-stroke of both engines is the same. The van engine is rated at 12-14 h.p. and is capable of taking the van along the road, with its full load, at 20 m.p.h. on " the level," whilst, in top gear, the vehicle may even be driven at so slow a speed as 21 miles an hour without the engine's giving any signs of distress. This engine is also cooled by thermo-syphon action.
Mr. W. C. Wark, of " Dunselma," Greenhithe, Kent, is the manufacturers' representative in the London district, and we understand that the makers are now seeking to make arrangements for the proper display and demonstration of the vehicles in London. He is, meanwhile, prepared to give trial runs and full particulars to interested parties who may make application at the address given, or direct to the head office at Granton.