THE BODYWORK OF TAXICABS.
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The Types of Coachwork Suitable for the Metropolis and for Provincial Centres. The Claim for the Limousine Type of Cab Body.
TkEpopular type of taxicab body is fitted with a folding leather head. Some cabs have also a small window between the door window and leather quarter. Each type has a single driving seat, so that a simple and accessible luggage platform is available in front. There is accommodation for four passengers, two on the back seat and one each on a pair of folding seats hinged at the back of the driving-seat partition. The body which has a folding leather quarter only and no extra side window is a single landaulet, the other pattern a three-quarter landaulet.
' A characteristic feature of both bodies is that a door, reaching to the roof, is provided, and it is. independent of the folding-head mechanism. Such an arrangement makes a very simple convertible type of body well suited for public ,service. The front edge of the leather head is attached to a hinged pillar top, quite separate from the standing pillar on which the door is hung. A watertight joint is made when the head is closed, because there is a rebate both in thefolding and fixed pillar, and usually a dowel and dowel plate are provided to ensure proper registration between these two pillars.Where the head opens across the roof a waterplate is fitted.
It is difficult to design a smart-looking body of the single landaulet type, because, being a four-seater body, it must be about 5 ft. long overall. As the
door space cannot be plotted out beyond a vertical line drawn in front tangential to the hind wheel, it follows that the length of the leather quarter is considerable and does not balance well with the other leading features of the body. If a wide door could be provided this would tend to balance the length of hind quarter, but this will not exceed much the regulation width of 1 ft. 9 ins., because the wheelbase does not exceed 8 ft. 6 ins., as the cab has to turn in a circle of 25 ft. diameter if licensed for use in the London area.
The Three-quarter Landaulet.
This lack of balance is eliminated if the threequarter landaulet style ot body be adopted. The second side window reduces the leather work by about a third. The additional area of glass also increases the attractiveness of the vehicle. The head with this type of body still opens just behind the door as in a single landaulet, but the horizontal member or cant rail above the side light is hinged at the upper end of the pillar top, so that when the head is open it
can lie in the same straight line as the pillar top. It may be attached by means of a link motion, which has the effect of lessening the overhang, but this is a refinement not often met with on taxicabs.
The landaulet type of taxicab body has always been favoured, especially in the larger cities. It has the advantage of providing adequate ventilation on a warm day. Another advantage is that any luggage carried on the roof must be confined to the forward position, where it is more accessible and the weight is carried between the axles. The folding head is that portion of the body which is most liable to wear badly, especially if the head is continually being used in the open position. The majority of new taxicab bodies also have rounded hind corners, another factor which tends to reduce the wearing qualities of the leather work.
Advantages of a Limousine.
The limousine has certain advantages which should make it an ideal taxicab body. A limousine is similar to the three-quarter landaulet so far as the arrangement of windows is concerned, but there is no folding leather head, the roof being fixed. It is claimed that . a limousine body would make a smarter taxicab because of the greater scope for varying the general design and increasing the size of the side windows. These windows could be so proportioned as to balance nicely with those of the door, whilst if a rounded hind corner were required this would last as long in good condition as any other part of the body. To compensate for the absence of the folding head a
modern type of air extractor would be fitted in the roof.
The hansom type of body ta.s been used occasionally in this coUntry, but has now fallen into disuse, although it has been revived recently in Paris. The hansom body ,does Rot follow very closely the general style of its horSecl prototype, but it is so called because one „important characteristic is always retained—that is, the hind elevated driving seat or .'dickey. The body may have the "hansom cab front " consisting of an open platform or landing, behind which, arranged transversely, are a pair of apron doors opening outwards from the centre. Above the doors is a double glass screen hinged horizontally in the centre and operated from the driver's spat. A hinged flap provides a means for communication with the driver.
The lauding in front of the apron doors, however, may well be considered a waste of useful space, whilst the, doors and the hinged screen above are rather too complicated for use on a Vehicle plying for hire. The modern form of hansom consists of a coupe type of body with fixed roof. The door is situated immediately behind the dash. As there is no obstructing steering column hero, the front windows or screen can be designed to swing open in the usual manner, or made to drop as required. Even with a small wheelbase \there is more Scope for providing a door of ample width, as the hind seat is relatively farther forward than in the conventional Imadaillet pattern. The upper side quarters can be entirely glazed. Such an arrangement makes an excellent two or four-seater.
The advantages of the hansom type of body are that the passenger has an uninterrupted view forward, the main seat is more comfortable because it is well between the axles, a comfortable entrance is easier to obtain with a restricted wheelbase and there is the opportunity of designing a stylish body. Luggage 'sflace, however, is only available on the roof, where it will obstruct the view of the driver or on tile steps. The only solution would appear to be on a special platform between the dash and front of the body, or under the dickey seat at the rear.
Legal Requirements.
The legal requirements of the body of the taxicab Which plies for public hire in the. Metropolitan' Police area do not impose any serious restrictions, except that,as mentioned before, the chassis Must have a compact wheelbase, in order to be able to turn in a circle of the prescribed radius. Such as directly affect the design`of the bodywork may be summarized aS follows.: The track 'nut not be less than 4 ft. 4 ins. and the overall' length' and Width not 'greater than 14 ft. and. 5 ft. 9 'ins.' 'respectively. The headroom above the toil of the .ctishien; must not be less than 3 ft: 4 ins., the door not less than-1 ft.. 9. his.. wide and not less than 1 ft. 7 ins. between the opposing edges of the front occasional seats and the main hack seat. „The minimum dimensions of the main seat are given as 3„ ft. 4 ins, long and 1 ft.' 4 ins. _wide, and for the folding seats 2 ft. 10 ins. (for two) and rft. 2 ins: wide. The windows must be adjustable, the front ones' protec4I With guards and MeansProvided for ventilating. the ,body without opening the windows. This .last stipulation is fulfilled by inserting a hit-andmiss: type of ventilator in the front' top rail of the body. Woodett glass frames can also iw fitted with a similar device in the top rail Unnecessary Elaboration.
The taxicab is for hard wear and tear and every-: day use so that undue elaboration is out of place. General simplicity of design goes along way towards 036
!educing the cost of maintenance, also the labour entailed in keeping the 'cab in a clean and attractive condition. Ich-,,kelled lamps and radiator are easier to keep bright than brass ones, and some of these items could well be finished , black without reducing the earning capacity of the vehicle. Dark colours are more serviceable than lighter ones, whilst black parts have the advantage that they are easy, to touch up. Upholstery material should be strong, with the ,edges well secured, whilst the modern window winder is a great improvement on the old strap or glass string, which often presented a rather untidy appearance. Window curtains and flower vases should be dispensed with. The floor covering inside may be either a well-fitting rubber or fibre mat, rubber, being the easier to keep clean, whilst moisture and dirt work down, through the perforations. If this mat lies on a piece of removable linoleum, then cleaning at the end of the day is made easy. A fibre mat is apt to become muddy and sodden on a wet day, whilst in dry weather it has the disadvantage of being inflammable. The platform steps maY be covered with linoleum or lin-rubber. The luggage platform has a durable foundation if it be covered with aluminium matting, but lino or rubber is better stilted for that portion of the floor and footboards under the' driver's feet so as to ensure a good foothold whether they be wet or dry.
Hygiene. • • In order to maintain the cab in an hygienic condition it would be an advantage if all theInterior upholstery were reniovable, not only the cushion but !the: back and side squabs as well. If the limousine type of body were adopted,. it would do away with : the necessity for a cloth head lining, and the interior surface of the roof could then be Panelled,' stained and varnished. • Celluloid Painting.
The new 'method of pabiting by the Celluloid process should make a special appeal, not only to the taxicab proprietor, but also to owners of other passenger and commercialvehicles of all' kinds. It is Claimed for this process that it is more durable than ordinary painting and that it is not so easily stained or scratched. It does" not possess the' lustre of a highly varnished surface, but if it be considered good enough for many private cars now on the road and others in the course of construction it Should be worth a fair trial for the strenuous conditions of taxicab work.