Weymann Fabric Bodies

Weymann Fabric Bodies is a patented design system for fuselages for aircraft and superlight coachwork for motor vehicles. The system used a patent-jointed wood frame covered in fabric. It was popular on cars from the 1920s until the early 1930s as it reduced the usual squeaks and rattles of coachbuilt bodies by its use of flexible joints between body timbers.[1]

The system when used on cars provided quieter travel, and improved performance because of the body's light weight; but gave little protection in the event of a serious accident, and without care (the materials being prone to rot), a potentially short life. Fabric provided a matt surface and the framework sharp corners. Later supporting metal corner-inserts were employed to smooth corners and the fabric could be finished with layer upon layer of hand-sanded paint, called Tôle Souple, giving the impression of polished metal panelling.

Introduced to the market in 1921, Weymann's bodies fell out of popularity within a decade.

Fiat 509 with Weymann coachwork by Pourtout 1929

Weymann body system
conventional non-Weymann coachwork frame (Volvo ÖV 4)
Gurney Nutting Weymann body
Bentley 4½-litre May 1928

The Weymann system comprises an ultra-light wood framework with special metal joints so that timber does not touch timber. Small metal panels are inserted between the fabric and the framework to make rounded external corners. Straining wires are fitted to hold the doors in shape when they are stressed by acceleration or bumps. The frame is then covered with muslin over chicken wire with a thin layer of cotton batting used to span large open areas and over this a top layer of fabric, usually a pigmented synthetic leather, is placed. Any exposed joints in the fabric are covered with aluminium mouldings. The seats are fixed directly to the chassis.

Passengers were therefore in almost direct contact with the firmly mounted engine. Where the market permitted some isolation was provided by luxuriously sprung passenger-seating often topped with inflated pneumatic cushions. For the luxury market it further encouraged the development of inherently smoother multi-cylinder engines in place of sixes and eights and, too late for Weymann, the introduction of flexible engine mounts and better chassis suspension systems in place of primitive leaf springs.

Advantages when compared with conventional coachbuilt construction

J Gurney Nutting of Chelsea, London, assured purchasers of his Weymann bodies, including The Prince of Wales:

  • Absolute silence
  • As durable as any other body
  • Withstands rough roads and speed
  • No squeaks, rattles, or draughts
  • Absence of drumming and rumbling
  • Lightness increases operating economy and speed
  • Most luxurious
  • Perfect comfort in any weather
  • Less expensive than coachbuilt composite bodies of similar quality
  • Easily cared for
  • Easy to wash and clean
  • Easily repaired in case of accident

Designer and patent holder

The system was invented by Charles Weymann (1889–1976). An early portrait may be seen in the archives of FLIGHT magazine.[2]

Weymann's Paris coachbuilding business was located at Carrossier Weymann, 20 rue Troyon, Paris and their elegant and luxurious Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza, etc. bodied limousines and cars bore the label Les Carrosseries C. T. Weymann, 18-20 rue Troyon, Paris.

Construction Z

Daimler had always built their own bodies though as usual in that period to suit customers they provided a large number of chassis to external coach builders. In the second quarter of 1924 Daimler began building Weymann flexible framed fabric bodies for their "natural silence, the entire absence of drumming and all those attributes which make for comfortable long-distance touring with a minimum of fatigue". Seats were Dryad basket-chairs of wicker button-quilted in Bedford cord. Daimler chose to name its Weymann-type bodies Construction Z.[3]

Coachbuilder licensees
Morris Minor 1928

The licensing company which provided customers with permits to make Weymann fabric bodies for fitting to chassis was based in Paris. Weymann claimed 123 licensees of his patents and that he received payment for around 70,000 bodies.

Licensed manufacturers included:

  • Weymann Motor Bodies limited, founded in England in 1922 with the first licences issued in 1923 to, amongst others, the Rover Company.[1] In 1925 a move was made into actual body production as well as licensing and the Cunard coachbuilding company based in Putney, South London, was purchased. The enterprise was a success and a move was made to larger premises at what had been the Blériot aircraft factory, Addlestone near Weybridge, Surrey, England. By 1930 the company had turned its attention to bus body construction and in 1932 became part of the Metro Cammell Weymann organisation.[1]
  • Weymann American Body Company of Indianapolis, USA
  • Carrozzeria Touring, Milan Lombardy Italy and its own development, Superleggera. See detail in Wikipedia en français

English licensees 1928

From a joint advertisement by the following Makers of Genuine Weymann bodies, placed by Weymann Motor Bodies (1925) Limited, 47 Pall Mall, London, SW1

Horace Adams, Newcastle upon Tyne T H Gill & Son, W1 Mulliners, Birmingham
William Arnold, ManchesterH A Hamshaw, LeicesterArthur Mulliner, Northampton
J Blake & Co, LiverpoolHancock & Warman, CoventryK J Newns, Thames Ditton
Cadogan Motors, FulhamThomas Harrington, BrightonJ Gurney Nutting & Co, Chelsea
Carlton Carriage Co, WillesdenKelly Davies Co, ManchesterPark Ward, Willesden
Caversham Motors, ReadingW H Knibbs & Sons, ManchesterF W Plaxton Smith & Bianchi, Scarborough
John Chalmers & Sons, RedhillLancefield Coachworks, W13Rippon Bros, Huddersfield
Charlesworth Bodies, CoventryMann Egerton & Co, W1Union Motor Car Co, SW1
Connaught Motor & Carriage, W1Marshalsea Bros, TauntonMartin Walter, Folkestone
Flewitt, BirminghamE Maule & Son, Stockton-on-TeesF J Williams, Cheltenham
John Fowler & Sons, HarrogateMorgan & Co, Leighton BuzzardG Wylder & Co, Kew Gardens
Freestone & Webb, WillesdenMotor Bodies & Engineering Co, N7James Young & Co, Bromley Kent
Mock Weymann
MG M-type the first Midgets, 1929: All the M-type standard bodies had rigid plywood panels covered with fabric- the bodies were supplied by Carbodies, £6.10.0 each

See also

References
  1. A-Z of British Coachbuilders. Nick Walker. Bay View Books 1997. ISBN 1-870979-93-1
  2. FLIGHT July 8, 1911
  3. Lord Montagu and David Burgess-Wise Daimler Century ; Stephens 1995 ISBN 1-85260-494-8
  • Senior, John A; Townsin, Alan; Banks, John (2002). The Weymann Story: Part One - 1923-1945 (1 ed.). Venture Publications. ISBN 1-898432-36-8.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Weymann Coachwork.
  • Coachbuilt Weymann American webpage, including numerous technical illustrations, and the following references to Weymann bodies: May, 1927 issue of MoToR; a 1930 Stutz brochure; January 1930 issue of Autobody; the August 1929 "press release" detailing the new Stutz Weymann Chateau model; mention of J. Gurney Nutting Co., Ltd.
  • Voisin C7 (a Weymann-bodied Voisin) under restoration
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