Baron Motors Ltd

Commercial vehicle manufacturer Borehamwood, Herts England 1957 to 1969

Baron Motors Ltd was a Commercial vehicle manufacture founded at Borehamwood, Herts, England UK.

History

Baron Motors developed a series of economical commercial chassis aimed at under-developed countries. Despite lack of co-operation from certain component suppliers, a 7-ton bonneted prototype was ready by 1959, followed by second and third prototypes incorporating numerous improvements. By 1964 the first production models had been constructed,
comprising the bonneted 6-ton'Master' BN6, bonneted 7-ton'Senior' BN7 and a forward-control passenger chassis intended for 38/44-seat bodywork.
The BN6 and BN7 goods models were similar to the normal-control Commer 'Superpoise' of the day, having the same Airflow Streamline cab or front-end structure. However, it was an assembled vehicle with specially designed uprated chassis frame supplied by Rubery, Owen & Co Ltd, having an Eaton 2-speed axle, a 120bhp Perkins 6.354 diesel engine, and a 32-cm single dry-plate clutch with hydraulic withdrawal mechanism and 4-point mounting in unit with the gearbox. The 6-tonner had a 4-speed synchromesh box and, with twin rear tyres as standard, produced a maximum speed of 55 mph with a bottom gear gradient capable of 1 in 2.3 in low axle ratio or 1 in 3.2 in high ratio, enabling the vehicle to cope with most gradients. Whilst the chassis frame was of riveted pressed-steel construction, items that might be replaced in service, such as spring hanger brackets, were bolted in place. Semi-elliptic leaf springs were fitted throughout, with helper springs at the rear and shock absorbers standard at the front but optional at the rear. Also optional were single rear tyres, with a front axle rating of 3 tons.
The BN6 had a gross weight of 9525kg and was available only with a wheelbase of 420cm. The 7-tonner had a wheelbase of 490cm and a much heavier chassis frame, although suspension, brakes and rear axle were the same as for the 6-tonner. This model had a 5-speed constant-mesh box and optional single tyre equipment. Front axle rating was 4 tons and gross vehicle weight 10,432kg. The passenger model was a foreward-control version of the 6-tonner, but it is doubtful if many were sold. Complete vehicle kits were assembled and packed in a factory at Northampton. Although listed for export until 1969, few were actually supplied.