Bedford

8th November 1935, Page 163

8th November 1935

Page 163

Page 163, 8th November 1935 — Bedford

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Striking Passenger Vehicle and New 2-former with Modernized Appearance and Correct Weight Distribution

— Stand 30

nRACTICALLY every item of the

exhibit Staged. by Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., possesses the attraction of novelty. The vehicles on view range from an 8-cwt. boxvan to a 28-passenger de luxe coach. All but the smallest are characterized by a new radiator of modern and pleasing design.

The exhibit includes a 3-ton shortwheelbase 'tractive unit, . coupled to a pantechnicon body, a 3-ton longwheelbase lorry and a coach, which differs from the earlier Bedford passenger machines in that the chassis has been designed expressly for passenger transport. Although based 6.ti the :3-tenner it is not just a modified ver sion of this machine. • Then there are two examples,of the new 2-tonner which has -just 'been' redesigned throughout, a new 30-mkt.' model, whickincorporates many' of the new features of the new 2-tonner, an improved 12-cwt. boxyan; -and"the 8-cwt. vehicle, the design of which was • bought Up-to-date:some months age.

In all cases,. down to andincluding 'the 30,c+trt. model, the well-known Bedford 27 h.p. six-cylindered petrol

engine is used. Improvements that lava been made to this unit include an improved oil-filtering system, the elimination of internal oil pipes by the substitution of ducts drilled in the casting, more accessible sparking-plug arrangement, with the addition of a guard to protect them externally, an alteration to the method of securing the valve-gear cover to diminish mechanical noise, and the Provision of an outrigger water-pump bearing.

The 2-tonner on view has a chassis which will perhaps attract the lion's share of interest' on this stand. One glande suffices to show that the new vehicle now closely resembles the 8-tanner; indeed, seen apart it is not easy to determine which is which.

One easily remembered distinguishing feature is the shortness of the scuttle on the larger machine.

An outstanding alteration that has been made to the 2-ton chassis is the setting back of the front axle, together with the same alteration, but, to a lesser degree,. to the. rear axle. This has much improved the weight distribution, the rear' carrying approximately, double that of the front with the new layout. The machine has a new frame, the construction of which is well worth a study. This also applies to the new braking arrangements, an ingenious linkage is a feature of the Dewandie servo gear, and it is claimed that pedal' reaction, in operation, is now accu

rately proportional. to braking force. 1 The vacuum valve is incOrporated in the main part of the servo. cylinder

and is coupled by a rod to a link on the cross-shaft 'arm above the point of attachment; but below the fulcruin,' which is at the top. To this link the pedal :rod is attached, :whilst only a: small clearance is allowed 'between the bottom .of the. Enk and the cross-shaft arm. Thus the pedal pressure operates the valve before affecting the cross

shaft, but should the vacuum fail it Is only .necessary for the link to move a very. short distance before direct

'mechanical application of the cross

shaft. is brought about. It should also be noted that vacuum acts on the back

of the valve against the pedal. pressure, so that • a resistmce to -the foot is afforded, Which is proportional to the. pressure exerted.

In the 8-cwt. van chassis, a 12 h.p. power unit . is installed whilst the l,2-cwt. machine has a r20 h.p. engine,. both are six-cylindered units. An'additional attraction is. that gearboxes of: the synchromesh type are provided on both these vehicles.—Vauxhall Motors, Ltd.; Luton, Beds.