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A KNOCK-DOWN AUTO­
MOBILE BODY
H E R E is a novel type of automobile
body which can be
knocked down for shipment
or assembled within a few
minutes. It is the invention
of a young British Colonial, Robert
Booth, of Johannesburg, South Africa.
The body, now being exhibited in New
York, was built in England under the
greatest difficulties, owing to
the concentration of that
country upon war suplilies.
There are points of
practical advantage to the
car owner in this
device, among them
the provision for replacing
a panel injured
in a collision
or other accident, at
the slightest possible
cost and delay.
composed of seven
"he body is
flat sections ;
any one of these may be removed
and a new one substituted in
less than an hour. The upholstery is
attached permanently to the panels, so
that no removal of leather work is required
in making the change: the flaps
that conceal the joints are turned back,
a few bolts are loosened, and the panel
can then be removed.
The entire rear section may be taken
off as a unit and set to one side, while
in its place may be set a delivery box or
other commercial body. An attachment
to take a trailer may be substituted, or a
metal boot may be placed in to convert
the touring body into a runabout. This
is possible because the body parts are
bolted upon sills running the length of
the chassis. The arrangement has the
additional advantage
of forming a
stronger union, less
subject to vertical
and side strain.
For the manufacturer
of cars, the
device is a matter of
huge saving in
freighting, storing,
and manufacture.
The body, when
packed flat, requires
The Body Parts, no more space than
Ready to Assem- . '
the chassis alone, as
the illustration indicates.
When a number of cars
are shipped, the number of cubic feet
taken up by each car is greatly lessened.
The car body is in less danger
of injury in the handling, as it can be
boxed readily. The saving in space
upon rail or shipboard means a saving
in dollars and greater facilities in making
prompt delivery.
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