Seddon Prefabricates Metal Bus .Bodies
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rAESIGNED specially to meet the L./ needs of the export market, allmetal bus bodies are, as announced in "The Commercial Motor" last week, to be produced at the Woodstock factory of Seddon Motors, Ltd., Oldham. Construction is based on a bolted assembly, so that for dispatch to overseas markets the bodies can be broken down and packed almost flat.
The separate sections which will make up the complete body are two complete sides, one front bulkhead, two cab sides, a complete back and five roof divisions. Light in weight, the new design will probably be available either in skeleton form for finishing at destination, or fully fitted and complete with glazing, so that only assembly will be required.
The main cross-bearers, which are of channel alloy, are supported by outriggers and are attached to the chassis by a special U-bolt fixing which has rubber packing so as to distribute the load and to provide insulation from the steel chassis frame. The body frame itself is made of commercial-grade aluminium-alloy members of 14.96 tons proof stress and 25 tons ultimate tensile stress and, to assist in easy removal or assembly, all framing is connected with cadmium-plated high-tensile bolts.
Roof panelling, both inside and outside, is of aluminium, and Onazote insulating material is sandwiched between the two skins to dispel drumming and provide insulation.
Special care has been taken in the matter of ventilation, there being pickups on each side at the front of thc vehicle, with air ducts running through the side cant-rails; these passages are connected with interior-opening grilles. which have hand closures for operation by the passengers. Provision has also been made for fivepermanent ventilators in the roof.
Flooring is of 3/16-in, alloy chequer plate, which is bolted to the crossmembers; on completion, the under side of the floor and frame is sprayed with aluminium paint. Body panelling is of 16 s.w.g. aluminium, the joints being covered with flat extruded sections.
The design also provides for interior panelling of the stressed-skin type, riveted to the main structure, and finished with a kicking panel at floor level. All windows are fitted with horizontal sliding panels• in chromiumplated frames, Triplex toughened safety glaA being used throughout. The specification provides for 10 interior roof lights operated from the cab.
At the mar is a spacious locker, in which the spare wheel, as well as luggage, is carried. The wheel is supported in a front-mounted cradle wifi rollers running on the inside flanges of the main chassis frame.
The cab is full-fronted, with doors on each side and a four-panel chromiumplated windscreen, both upper panels opening on quadrants at the top. A permanent sun-glare visor is fitted above the windscreen.