A Double-Purpose Vehicle.
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There must be a large number of tradesmen who would wish to adopt the most up-to-date system of retail goods distribution, but are deterred, mayhap, because its usefulness is confined to working hours. If pleasure trips are desired a motorcar must be purchased ; and as•this would mean the possession of two vehicles, the question of cost becomes one for anxious consideration. In the end, perhaps, the waverer is unable to make up his mind between business or pleasure and the " hay " motor continues in the stable. But we think the vehicle we have pleasure in illustrating here• with will exactly meet the views of that large class of retailers who can only take their recreation at weekends, and are tied down to their Enfield 'detachable business for the other six days of van top.
the week. Its normal appearance is that of a pleasure car. By a simple arrangement, free from complication of any sort, the two rear seats are arranged an as to slide away and permit the separate van top to be placed in position. The transforma
tion can be effected easily by two persons in five minutes, and there is no suggestion of clumsiness when seats or van are fixed. Where only the driver and one passenger require seats, the rear or tonneau portion need not be purchased ; and the double purpose of the vehicle makes it come out at such a moderate price as to bring it within the reach of every tradesman who owns a pair of horses. We feel certain that there is an assured demand ready to respond to the enterprise of the Enfield Autocar Co., who are making arrangements to produce this vehicle in large quantities. At their works at Hunt End, Redditcli, they possess one of the finest manufacturing plants in this country for turning out nearly everything by automatic machinery, thus simplifying production and making for economy throughout. The mechanical portions are, like everything else that emanates from the Hunt End Works, "made like a gun," and the name of the company is a guarantee. The framework is pressed steel with all the lugs and other portions riveted on hot_ A two-cylinder engine is employed, each cylinder having a bore of 4in. with a stroke of 51n.1 giving tob.h.p. at 7,500 revolutions per minute. The cam-shaft and timing gear are enclosed in oil-tight casings, and a ball thrust is arranged tor upon the crank shaft. No radical departure (otherwise "experiment ") has been made in the transmission system, this following on the general lines for a cardan shaft and live axle car. It should be noted that the rear axle runs upon ball bearings of the company's own special design. The gear box provides three forward speeds and a reverse, controlled by a single lever ; and the top speed has a direct drive from engine to propeller shaft. The dashboard is distinctive in design and has two useful tool clipboards at either end, the top curves over and protects the electrical fittings and lubricator box. The pedal brake is a metal-to-metal band working upon a drum, and a side lever actuates two internal expanding brakes in drums attached to the
rear wheels. The wheel base is 7ft.; width of tread, 31t. lc tlin.; and the price (for two seats, with detachable van top) is 225 guineas, including kit of tools.