A redesigned Stevens Three-wheeler
From the Commercial Motor – October 4th, 1935

Modifications include the adoption of shaft drive and an improved brake mechanism. A useful outfit for the economical transport of 8cwt. loads.

This view of the Stevens van shows the capacious body. It is built for an 8cwt. payload.

The Stevens three-wheeled commercial vehicle has recently been redesigned and now has a shaft-drive transmission system. Its power unit is not altered and the general arrangement of the chassis, apart from the transmission is the same as in the previous model.

A sturdy three-speed gearbox forms a unit with the engine and clutch, the mainshaft being now arranged fore and aft, of course, instead of across the chassis. A housing for the clutch is combined with half of the crankcase, but the clutch itself is not directly attached to the engine shaft.

Between those two components there is a shock absorber of generous dimensions; it is of the rubber cushion type. Attached to the main shaft by a taper joint and key is a member with three radial vanes on its face. Mating with this is another member with three similar vanes, and six rubber blocks separate the two sets of three vanes.

On the reverse side of the second member there is a single dry-plate clutch of conventional design. Behind that again is the gearbox, which provides three forward ratios and a reverse. Combined with it is a kick-starter, and the rear gear lever is mounted directly on the top of the box.

Hardy flexible couplings are fitted to each end of the propeller shaft. A steel banjo-type rear axle houses spiral-bevel gears and differential mechanism. All three wire wheels are detachable and interchangeable, the tyre size being 27 inches by 4 inches.

An alteration is to be noted in the method of brake operation. As before, the rear brakes are controlled by foot, and the front shoes by hand, but the lever for the latter now has no ratchet. For parking purposes the rear brakes can be locked ‘on’ by pulling out a small knob on the dashboard.


This semi-plan view of the Stevens chassis shows the new shaft-drive transmission system. The rear axle is of the spiral-bevel type and incorporates a differential gear.

In the ordinary way, this knob is not withdrawn and the brake pedal rises as soon as the driver’s foot pressure is released. To park the vehicle the pedal is depressed and the knob pulled out. The pedal is then locked on.

When that is done, neither pressure on the pedal nor any tinkering with the knob will release the brakes. To do so, both the pedal and the knob must be pressed at the same time.

Features which are not changed include the steering and front suspension, as well as the power unit. A front fork of the motorcycle type is employed and the steering is by a car-type wheel, coupled to the fork stem by two roller chains in parallel.


The near side of the chassis showing the single-cylindered water-cooled engine, which is rated at 5.8hp. The engine, clutch and gearbox are built as a unit.
At the rear, the chassis is now completely sprung. Two half-elliptic springs are interposed between the axle and the chassis frame.

The chassis frame is built of channel section steel with cross members of similar form riveted to it, and reinforced by gusset plates at the joints.

A large diameter tube acts as a stay between the steering head and the central cross member.

It is worth emphasising that the single-cylindered engine is water-cooled. It has side valves and a detachable head. The bore and stroke dimensions are 84mm and 106mm respectively, and the capacity is 588c.c.

This new Stevens chassis is available with either a van or truck body. In the former case the pay load is 8cwt. and the body has a capacity of 91 cubic feet, with a maximum length of 5ft. 6 inches. The internal width and height are 4ft. 5 inches and 3ft. 9 inches respectively, whilst the doors at the back measure 3ft. 8 inches wide.

Like the van the truck can carry 8cwt. It has a hinged tail-board, and the dimensions of the goods space are 4ft. 3 inches long by 4ft. 5 inches wide. The sides are 1ft. 7½ inches high.

For each model the price is 89 guineas. A spare wheel and tyre is listed at £3 extra.


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