THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 1930.
READING THE ROAD
Tracking Instinct of the Smooth, Confident Driver
EYES THAT ACT LIKE HEADLIGHTS
[By the Hon. Mrs, Victor Bruce]
There was a book of my child- hood days entitled "Eyes and No Eyes"; I have only the vaguest idea of what it was all about, but the general impression remains that it dealt with the general question of keen observation, and with "those who have eyes to see, and see not." Could anything be more applic. able to the needs of motor-car driv- ing?
One has only to ride with several different drivers to appre- clate how widely human beings vary in this respect. Most of those nerve-racking "emergencies," when the brakes go on with a scream, and the car careers giddily out of control in the mud, are caused by luck of olwervation.
the
In reversing, also, the necesafty to turn the bend and shoulders al- most completely round in order to be able to see adequately to rear is somewhat confusing, as it involves taking up a completely new and, maybe altogether uncom- fortable position.
THE
"SKYSCRAPER" CAR
Tendency of U.S. Design
CHINA
14 WHEELS
MAIL.
13
Articulated Lorry Designed
Di
American's national showing of A 14-wheeled articulated lorry custom built motor cars, known as has been designed by Messrs. Scam- the Automobile Salon, has been in moll Lorries, Limited, of Watford, for transporting machinery units progress in Chicago. The exhibi-weighing up to 100 tons, and is in tion indicates that style in auto-no senso a trailor. It thus marks & mobiles is changing and that the 'radical departure from customary familiar body lines of some of the 'practice in road transport of this character, and, apart from any oldest and best known makes even-question of improved manoeuvr tually will be discarded.
ability, should be decidedly In economical than the two or three traction engines and trailer gen: erally employed, if only on account of labour costs.
Modern design, so apparent the architecture of buildings, is be- It is, apparently, a point to beginning to have its effect remembered when being,measured for a pair of glasses, to ensure that shape of the radiator and the cut
on the
more
A number of points have to be
the widest possible angle of vision of the body of automobiles, The carefully considered in the design is provided; but so far as rovers-engineers who shape the new cars of such, a vehicle, which are not ing is concerned, it will be found are trying to imitate the new con-obvious at first sight. The load with a car which has a really large
Imust be distributed fairly uniform-
MEETING A LION
"Sit Still in the Car
Without Speaking
19
in the
nature of
rear window that the greatest pro-tour of skyscrapers both in colour ly between the various wheels, and portion of backward driving can be and line, or silhouette, as some of there must be a sufficient number done by means of the driving mir- them call it. They go in for effects of the latter to ensure that the load ror-an Internal one; of course that lead the eye to the belief that per wheel is below that likely to By Fits and Starts
and only the closest of manoeuvr-the shape of a vehicle is rakish and cause damage to the road surface. Apart from this extreme, it willing, when there is no more than an
Further, the distribution of weight be noticed that whereas one driver inch or so to spare, will call for foreshortened, altogether out of on the wheels muat not bo serious- will take his passenger along in ao direct vision.
Įproportion to actual measurement. ly disturbed by road camber or amooth and pleasant a manner that
These car builders seek to convey irregularities; In other words, he is really not conscious of travel- ing at all, another, over precisely
the same kind of an impression as there must be no danger of the load being concentrated on a few wheels the same course, at the same time
the drawings that make buildings only. While, on the one hand, it and in all the same circumstances,
look as if they are top heavy. In is desirable that the load line will proceed so ferkily and uneven-
the cars it is done by setting the should be ly that the passenger is kept in a
bodies lower than ever
as low as possible, to од the give the maximum clearanco under: state of apprehenafon all the way.
chassis, by pinching in the lower bridges, on the other hand, it is An official notice issued by the end of the radiators so that the essential that the centre of the I suppose it is impossible to make Chief Game Warden of the Kruger atope is upward instead of down-truck an unobservant person really ob- National Park, South Africa, con-ward. by slanting the windshield when the vehicle is negotiating
should clear the servant; but he simply must be im-tains some useful hints for tourists and doors backward, by flattening anything
road proved if he is to become a good on what to do when meeting a lion the tops and by squaring the hump. Finally, a high trae- driver. Observation at the wheel in its natural state. With improve corners of the windows here and tive effort is required on occasions, partakes very largely of the nature ed motor roads through the Nation- curving them there, in order to give and there must be no danger of of the Indian's tracking instinct.
al Park and the erection of rest Signs of the roadside which are houses, the number of visitors de- the effect of length easy to trans- overheating when the vehicle is not apparent to the uninitiated, or siring to see the vast collection of
late into speed and motion. the unobservant, are read like an wild game, and particularly
driven for long periods at a speedį the European Characteristics of 3 to 4 m.p.h." open book, and most, if not all, lions, is rapidly increasing. In In this year's designs the long The forepart of the vehicle, form- eventualities anticipated before the order to inspire confidence among hood is the badge of European ing the motor unit, has a two-wheel necessity for heavy braking or these unused to wild conditions, style, and many of the American axle in front, and two two-wheel swerving arises. It is a science the Board of Control have, bat a aclcuce upon which it is im- tentative measure, allowed one fire-it for convertible and sport body wheel axles are mounted
as a custom body builders are copying jaxles in line at the rear. The two- possible to write a text-book.
arm per car to be carried "for de-types. Other European charac- they can oscillate about their Eyes Vary Enormously fensive purposes only." In this teristics include the use of sliding centres on a horizontal longitudinal Every little thing on the road and concession lurks a possible danger, roofs to let sunshine into some of axis. These axles are the driving the roadside means something; and not only to the visitors themselves, the sport conpes. On the roadster, axles for the whole vehicle. The when you get two or more such but also to the permanent Park coupe and phaeton type, the body front axle of the unit is fitted with things, the possibilities of the com- staff. bination meaning something quite
Įpanele are carried down below the single rubber-tyred wheels, and the The lion, contrary to popular chassis level, and in certain models two rear axles of the unit with twin different are infinite. Sometimes conception, says the Chief Warden, it has been possible to mount the rubber-tyred wheels. the most expert and considerate of is naturally rather a lazy, good-door silla so low that running. drivers cannot read the story clear-natured animal, only dangerous to boards have been done away with.
Load-Carrying Portion ly but then he knows there is
men by night when in a starving As in other years, the distinction vehicle consists of box-girder side The load-carrying portion of the general need for care, in order not condition or by day when wounded of exhibiting the highest priced car membera, pin-pointed at the front, to be taken by surprise, whatever or cornered. or, in the case of in the Salon went to a foreign par- to the foot of two swan-neck brac- may happen.
females, in defence of young. In ket, although the body design waskets, and carried on bogies at the the Park, the supply of natural by an American builder. This was rear. The horizontal arms of the
80 that
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Telephone Central 1246 or 1247.
33 WONG NEI CHUNG ROAD, HAPPY -VALLEY.
MOTOR TRAPS
Their Methods
But, I repeat, no text-book can be written on the subject. It is food is ao plentiful that lions are the Rolls Royce town car, listing at two awan-neck brackets are bridged. entirely a matter of natural instinct never badly pressed by their $21,000, for which Brewster and to form the platform of a turntable, nad subsequent training ex-stomachs, and not once in the last Company fashioned body and coach of which the lower portion is perience, in fact-ao, if I have suc-27 years has there been a single work. In this model the upholstery mounted on the motor unit above Foreign Policemen and ceeded in impressing the need for case of an unprovoked attack by nia by Boyriven of France, and it the rear axles. The rear ends of close observation. I will say no lion.
is said only enough of it was woven the side members terminate in a more to daunt the novice.
Lions who approach a car are for half a dozen cars. The tonneau massive forged-steel cross member. Natural characteristics of human merely actuated by an unbounded is embellished with vision affect the matter. There are curiosity. The visitor who at once said to have cost more than $2,000. bracket at each end, and these brace they are efficient we were once
wood inlay, This member carries
In France you seldom see them a swinging outside the big cities. wide-angle eyes, just as there are grabs his firearm does no harm so It is by Orsenigo, an interior de-kets, in turn, terminato in trunnion stopped twice in a mile, firat for In Paris wide angle photographic lenses; for, but there might be great harm corator of New York. eyes which see a long way ahead should the weapon be discharged, and tend to ignore the foreground, and the bullet hit and wound the five cars exhibited in the Salon ap driving axles on the motive unit. the "wrong" side-but courteous, The total value of the ninety-mounted in a similar way to the for passing a stationary tram on bearings, on which the axles are having dirty number plates, next and others which see the fore-ion.
proximated $1,000,000 and there There are thus four axles at the for they put their notebooks away ground to the exclusion of the dis tant view. Something can be done forth temporarily or permanently $9,000. The number of firms repre- two pairs in line, and having com-
A lion thus crippled is hence-were no cars listed lower than rear end of the vehicle, arranged in when we revealed ourselves as to train the eyes themselves to take debarred from capturing its natural sented by chassis and body designs plete freedom to follow either in a bigger field of vision than is prey, and becomes a constant dan-was half as large again as that of longitudinal or transverse irrega funny little bowler hats and stop
foreigners. natural to them, though eye stranger to all passing that way. Apart any previous salon. Five nations larities in the road surface. Each all the traffic to give a British car In Czecho-Slovakia they wear and headache are very llable to re- from hunger altogether, a wounded were sult; and the obvious remedy
represented;
Britain, the of the wheels on these axles is twin-free passage. In Austria, even in is lion is a dangerous beast to ap- United States, Germany, Belgium rubber tyred, so that it will be clear the smaller cities, the streets are properly specified glasses.
proach, even accidentally. Seeing Round Corners
that the load is distributed over alive with police who are full of Here, again. a little difficulty
Trivialities
fourteen wheels, arises; for several friends of mine animal," says the Warden, "a few exhibition was the absence in some
twenty-six enthusiasm for their job. At Inns- One of the oddities noted in the tyres, who have taken to wearing glasses blasts on the motorcar hooter will of the smartest bodies of vanity tering into the detail dealgn of the during which time every single bruck, for instance, we watched a Space does not permit of our on-point-duty man for several minutes, when driving have told me of the probably send them off at a troteases which for years have been lorry, but it may be mentioned that vehicle received its individual problems which they have found Such animals will never attack, and supposed to hold charm for milady. It is fitted with a standard Scam-traffic Instructions. themselves up against.
Glasses, I understand, have a going away may safely be put down most women carry their own cos-horse-power, and with main and grim They set speed-traps and any hesitation they may show in Now, however, it is considered that mell engine, developing 80 brake The German police are many and tendency to limit the angle of to vision, with the result that, just at malice."
any metic kita, so the makers do not auxiliary gear boxes giving eight when they catch anyone they fine first, if care is not exercised, the Another point which visitors Instead they have put in more and normal running speed with a full They give him a receipt and pro-
mount them in the cars any more. forward speeds. wearer finds himself practically should bear in mind is that a better cigarette lighters and ash load is from 3 to 4 miles per hour, mise to return the excess if on far- Although the him five marks (68.) on the spot. blind to happenings at either alde, lioness with young cubs le as ac-trays, which it is thought will be the top gear ratio enables about 6ther consideration they find they which would have been in his tive and fierce in their defence as of real convenience in view of them.p.h. to be attained if required. have charged too much!--V.T.B, in normal fteld before.
any other female, and considerably increasing use of tobacco among There is sufficient power to climb the Autocar. more dangerous than most. She does not know that no harm is in has as a trick device a table that load. It is evident that exception- women. One foreign built car also gradients, up to 1 in 10 with full tended, that perhaps only a photor can bo set up in the tonneau. When ally powerful brakes are casentfal în graph is required.
not in use it can be folded into the the event of its being necessary back of the driver's compartment. to hold the load on a hill.
and Italy.
"In the event of encountering a troop of lions, or even a single
pure curiosity without
or
The
LOITERING AT 50 M.P.H.
Professor W. Morgan, President
FOR PRINCE GEORGE Recently there was delivered to H.R.H. Prince George an Alvis
Safety in the Car Silver. Eagle four-door saloon, the "In numerous encounters when Rayon in Interior trimming made brakes provided on the motor unit Engineers, envisages the time when of the Institution of Automobile body of which was built by the on foot in the bush," the Warden its first appearance in a motor car, consist of a hand-operated screw special roads will allow cruising Lancefield Coachworks. This car is says, reassuringly, "I have always as did Italian goat hide, which was brake on the driving wheels, and a speeds of 100 m.p.h, and motorists very quietly finished, as, of course, found that If one remains perfectly used as the outer material in a car transmission brake that can be ap will be fined for loltering if they are all the cars belonging to mem- still and makes no further attempt with fabric body. The snake skin plied either by hand or foot. The travel at less than 50 mph. This bers of the Royal Family, and the to advance, a lloness, after a first seen in the cars of former years latter brake is geared up consider prophecy was made on the occasion body and bonnet are covered in alarming demonstration of ferocity, was confined to only one or two ably, and it is stated by the makers of the tenth annual dinner of the straight grain black fabric, the will slowly retire, still growling; models. Ita usa for upholstery and that it is sufficiently powerful to Institution, when he occupied the wings being finished in black with one eye on her cubs and one sent covering is being displaced by hold the vehicle on 1 in 20 chair, and replied to the toast of cellulose. The design is of the eye on the intruder. When she is the come-back that feathers in gradient with only moderate pres that body, proposed by Mr. George four-door four-light type, and satisfied that her offspring are well novelty finishes and hues are maksure on the hand lever, and to en- Munro, President of the C.M.U.A. falling division in fitted behind the away, she will suddenly turn and ing. front seats, so that the car may be follow them."
able a re-start to be made without In the course of the evening the owner or chauffeur-driven as desir- "People In a motor car are quite confined to two front drivers the use of scotches. In addition to the Capt. J. S. Irving, in recognition of The mechanical Innovations were either excessive clutch slip or the Institution meddi was presented to ed. The upholstery is of brown safe so long as they remain inside, Cord and the Ruxton-and two cars brakes mentioned, all the wheels on his achievement in designing the furniture leather, and the interior because at present the motor-car is which were equipped with super- the carrier have internal-expanding "Golden Arrow" in which. Major woodwork is tastefully carried out not directly connected in the chargers, the Stutz and the Mer-brakes operated from the rear plat-Sir Henry Begrave put up the pre- in burr walnut. Ventilating lioness's mind with man, the enemy. cedes (German.) The Stutz super form. Engineering. louvres are Atted over the four win It is unlikely that she has bean charger was mounted in front and
sent world's record speed of 231 dows, and chromium plating is able to get the wind always the at the base of the radiator. It is
m.p. at Daytona last spring. used for external bright parts, determining factor and she is too controlled from the instrument while the interior fittings are silver-conscious of what she means to her board. A wire grille la mounted in Air Race Fuel/ plated.
My family to take an unnecessary risk front of it to keep out stones The Vacuum Oil Company has re- A novelty is the luggage trunk with what she thinks to be thrown up from the roadway. ceived a letter from the committee at, the rear, for by moving a lever strange new type of animal.
The supercharger is of the low of the Western Australian Centen- the ends extend so that golf clubs "If, therefore, visitors in pressure, positive displacementary expressing keen appreciation of can be accommodated in the trunk. motor car should encounter - type, running at the same speed as the assistance rendered by the com Normally these extending ends fitllones with cubs, say, not larger the engine shaff, and is furnished pany In regard to the fuelling of flush to the sides of the trunk, than Irish terrier, standing in, as optional equipment. It is fotend machines in connection with the air
Tools are carried in lock
ed behind the bottom
and in one locker c
docked"Ebe Car Gaun
strang the
doors,
way, the car should be si to function at any speed in con- alightly backed, at once, trast with the superchargers on the yone should keep an stiil na racing cars, which do not out in above all, not talk until the car la travelling sixty dve very low, tone.”
miles an hour or mer
The letter adds that the nisation throughout wag of the order, and attributen, k Lof the success, of the
#factor;
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FIAT GARAGE
As good
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2
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RADIO SUPPLIES Electric Gramophones
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