THE CHINA MAIL.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1931,
IN SHANGHAI
Most Cosmopolitan Car City.
Los Angeles, Cal., Oct. 23. Capt. James E. Snow, of the Marine Corp, who has just return- ed to duty at the Marine Corps rifle range near La Jolla, on the road to Tin Juana and Agua Caliente in Old Mexico, has discovered the most cos.aspilitan automobile city in the world. It is Shanghai, where for three years Capt. Snow, or Big Jim, as he is known to his friends, was
Provost Marshal of the foreign settlement. Being Provost Marshal in Shanghai is a job like chief of traffic Police in any hig city.
While attending to these duties Capt. Snow made a study of the number of makes of cars as well us the number of cars registered. The result could probably not
1x duplicated anywhere else in the work. Out of a total of 5,806 autó- mabiles registered, Capt. Snow found no less than 164 different makes-a greater variety of auto- mobile names than the average per- son, could guess existed.
MOTORISTS THIS IS YOUR PAGE ›
ed of all these cars printed in the Shanghai Municipal: Gazette. Here are the rankings of the most im- portant:
Balck, 646; Ford, 482; Chevrolet, 375; Fiat, 817; Studebaker. 316; Morris-C. 280; Ausin, 248; Dodge, 215; Nash, 213; Essex, 193; M-Oxford, 186; Citroen, 178; Whip- pel, 161; Hupmobile, 155; Chrysler, 128 Rugby, 92; Standard, 91; Emakine, 87; Overland, 85; Renault, B: Oldsmobile, 72; Pontiac, 58."
"All other makes had from 1 to 45-cars registered.”
"Wherever you go, it's Buick you see most of, and I've been in all pirts of China, Japan, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Guam, Haiti and San Domingo. Do you know that the Nicaraguan Bandit, Sandino, uses a Buick for his personal car when not in the hills?
"When you remember that there
of 30 is a tax
per cent. placed equally on the value of all cars in Shanghai, no matter of what make what country, you can or from realise just what a position Buick las attained."
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MOTOR CAR SPEEDS.
Rough roads and steep hills offer no obstacles to modern automobiles and now the problem of crossing water is In a fair way of being solved, according to despatches from Germany.
DE LUXE PLANE.
Shipped from Boston
to Manchester.
The most luxurious de luxe tri- motor club plane yet turned out by the Ford Motor Company aeroplane factory at Ford Airport, Dearborn, Mich., has just been shipped from Reston on an Oriole Line freighter to Manchester, England, for, display by pilots of Ford Motor Company, Ltd., in Great Britain and on the Continent.
ecru
A SEA-GOING CHEVROLET
Emil Gross of Berlin, Germany, lesting his invention on a Chevrolet. By means of Pontoons and two laflated cushions, any car can be con- verted loto a sea-going conveyanes in fifteens milnutea This Chevrolet is driven just the salje as though it were on lumut. J
by Automovil Americano, the nver- PIKE'S PEAK RACE.
age Hfe of an automobile. In Argen-
tina appears to approximate seven
years. This deduction is based on
the fact that in the seven years from Another Win by Willys
"Six."
Racing over the historic Pike's Peak route from Crystal · Creek ́
1924 to 1970, inclusive, Imports of automobiles into Argention totaled 417,087 era and trucks and that operation on. January 1, 1931, throughout the Republic, was 187,- 864 autamplules of all types. While this deduction is not conclusive, it corroborates the American experi- Canyon to the heights of Pike's lence that automobiles live nearly Peak, a stock Willys "six" roadster, seven year Intricate calculations has again captured the annual of yearly scrappage, registration, in- mountain climb. This race, known creases, etc., were necessary to ar- rive at the results reported in both Great Britain and the United States, Space does not permit of reproduc- tion of these calculations here but, as shown by these two sources, the statistical base of the contention raco. that car fe averages about seven i years in each country, appears con- |clusive.
When having their cars lubricat ed, owners should check to see that all points are greased or oiled, Oldsmobile servite men advise. It any places are neglected trouble is likely to result. The places to bo lubricated are: all Alemite fittings, water pump, rear U-joint, sleering gear, springs, generator, starter, distributor, clutch and brake pedals, door checks and locks, head hinges, and fasteners, rear axle and trans- riiasion.
The club interior of the plane is finished in rich browns, greens and tans, the lower wall panels being of oriental walnut, with a decorative feize of British hunting scenes against a tan coloured background. Walnut panels between the windows are set of with a riding erop and horn against a similar background, while the rellef panels on either sido of the forward wall of the passen-' ger compartment drapes of harmonise with the other fittings.
The six club-type reclining chairs and a divan accommodating three persons are upholstered in dark green colonial grain leather. Lampa shnded with crystal glass light the cabin for reading, one lamp being fited above each sent. Other in-
A 'YARD-STICK." terior fittings include an electric fan and u cupboard built into the for- ward wall of the luggage compaɣt- The motor trade has long sought made by the magazine Motor Com-the Summer than in the Winter and unless replenished frequently, the ment which is located just to the a "yard-stick by which it might merce, of London, the British motor battery is in danger. rear of the passenger compartment. determine the "life expectancy" of trade authority, on similar informa- A lavatory, fully equipped, is reach the average motor-cat. Obviously,tion covering Great Britain. The two compilations were made entirely At a recent test in Germany, aed by a doer opening out of the conditions of operation and use vary
ro materially in the different coun- Independently and, of course, refer Chevrolet touring car was sued for cabin, adjoining the luggage space.
to conditions and cars of these two ap- The plane is of the high speed tries that no completely accurate the experiment. Gross won
be given. However, countries. Strikingly enough, there plause from the crowds of spectators type, with high wing which allows estimate can
to arrive at has been a reduction in the annual him drive his Chevrolet full head room
the in early 1933, efforts throughout who saw
the three Waay this figure have been made in both life of the automobiles in each coun- through the water almost as easily cabin. Each of
engines is fitted with an
electric the United States and Great Britain try, although far less pronounced in Stalen than in Great as a motor-boat.
inertia
starter. Other equipment and, surpisingly enough, the evid- the United includes an aperiodic compass unce is that car life is practically Britain..
No attempt can be made, without Compartments are installed in the the same in the two countries. The
more complete information than is wings for carrying 1,600 pounds of American compilation was made by luggage. The planc has large the National Automobile Chamber now available, to ascertain the life in other countries. auxiliary gasoline tanks to permit of Commerce, of New York, based span of cars long aerial tours.
on annual registrations, scrappages However, upon information compiled |
Buick led the registrations," said Capt. Snow, "with 648 cars, or. 11 per cent. of the total. The ten leading makes represented 20 Emil Gross, a young mechanic per cent. Of these ten leaders two who lives in Berlin, has evolved an are of foreign make and the remain- kea which may convert the motor ing 154 makes each has registered car into an amphibious vehicle. He from 1 to 100. One hundred and has demonstrated that with fifty makes have less than a hun-special equipment he has construct dred.
ed, an automobile can be converted into a seagoing hack in fifteen minutes.
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"Every nationality under the sun is represented in the ownership of Buicks. One may see # native Chinaman being driven around the narrow streets of Shanghal as well as an Afghan potentate in the latest Buick imousine. Buicks of model undetermined vintage, but still go ing strong, serenely wind their way among the crooked thoroughfares of the native section of the city.
tho
An inflated cushion at the front and one at the rear of the car and "In contrast to the familiar name two inflated pontoons, one on each were utilised to Buick, are the names of over a hun-alde of the body,
the vehicle afloat. The car dral cars which the average Amer-keep ican hasn't even heard of. I had was driven exactly the same as on the sames and the number register-land.
THE NATIONAL
MOTOR CAR
CORDIALLY INVITE
During warm weather it is wino to have the car battery checked at more frequent intervals, Oldsmobilo service men advise. The water and increases in total operation in the battery evaporates faster in figures. The British estimate was'
COMPANY
THEIR CUSTOMERS, THE PUBLIC AND OWNERS
OF
CHRYSLER - DE SOTO PLYMOUTH
MOTOR
CARS
1
TO COME AND INSPECT THEIR NEW UP-TO-DATE SHOWROOMS AND OFFICES WHERE ALL THE LATEST MODELS OF THE ABOVE MAKES OF CARS OF WHICH THEY ARE SOLE DISTRIBUTORS FOR HÒNG KONG AND SOUTH CHINA, ARE ON DISPLAY AT
71 73 & 75 HENNESSY ROAD, WANCHAI, HONG KONG.
Telephone 27914.
FROM TOWN
MINUTES FROM
ONLY FIVE MINUTES
BY CAR, TRAM OR BUS
DEMONSTRATION OF CARS ON REQUEST.
as American's greatest hill climb-. ing classic, made history, for the Willys "six" repeated fts per- formance of last year and won first and second places in the stock-car
In this test the Willys" "six" made the thrilling 12.1/3 mile dash up the steep sides of the mountain with its 203 curves, in the remark- able time of 25 minutes, 9%
The race seconds.
was under supervision of the A.A.A.
Thousands of spectators lined to witness this thir- the course teenth renewal of the famous race, which imposes the most strenuous demand on driver and engine. The fact that the cars are constantly climbing from the moment they leave the starting point at Crystal Creek Canyon, on up above the Umber line, and the ever-changing alikudo, tests to the fullest extent the efficiency of steady power de- velopment and brings reward to a cur soundly, engineered, and defeat to one less perfect.
By virtue of this victory the the Penrose Trophy remains in possession of Willys-Overland for another year.
BUYERS GUIDE
MOTOR CARS.
ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen'a
Road. Tel. 24759.
BUICK. --The Dragon Motor Car Co. Ltd., 33, Wong Nei Chung.
Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 30228. . CADILLAC.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel. 24759. CHEVROLET.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel.
-21769.
FIAT MOTOR CAR-A Goeke & Co., China Bldg., 7th floor.
Tel. 22221.
MARQUETTE-The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wong Ne!
Chung Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 30228, MORRIS-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel. 24759, OLDSMOBILE-The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wong Noi
Chung Road, Happy Valley, Tel. 30228,
ROLLS-ROYCE-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Rond. Tel,
24759,
STUDEBAKER.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel.
24759,
WILLYS-KNIGHT & WHIPPET MOTOR CARS.-Gilman & Co..
Ltd., 4a, Des Voeux Rd. C. Tel. 28011,
OUTBOARD MOTORS.—Rudolf Wolff & Kew, 54 Queen's Road
C. Tel. 22173.
MOTOR TRUCKS AND TRACTORS, CHEVROLET.—Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel.
21769,
G.M.C♦ The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wong Nel Chung
Chung Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 30228.
DODGM-South China Motor Car Co., 88, Des Voeux Road. C.
Tel. 26644.
MORRIS.-Hongkong Hotel Garago, Queen's Road. Tel. 24769. STUDEBAKER.-Hongkong Hotel Garage. Queen's Road.
Tel.
24759, WILLYS-KNIGHT & WHIPPET TRUCKS,-Gilman & Co., Ltd.,
4a, Des Voeux Road C. Tel. 28011.
MOTOR CYCLES.
B.S.A. The Sincere Co., Ltd., Des Voeux Road. Tel. 27767. NORTON.-The Sincere. Co., Ltd., Des Voeux Road C., Tel
27767.
MOTOR OILS. GARGOYLE,MOBILOIL-Vacuum Oil Company, King's Bldg. SHELL--Asiatic Petroleum Co., (8.0), Ltd., Asiatic Bldg.
TYRES AND ACCESSORIES. 'ACCESSOR'ES,—Hongkong Hotel, Garage, Busen's Road,
21769 ACCESSORIK The Duro Motor Co., Nathan Road, Kowloon.
Tel. 56223,
Tel.
FISK TYRES.---Glman & Co., Ltd. 4a, Des Voeux Rd. C. Tel.
28011,
JŃDIA TYRES.-W. R. Loxley Co, York Bldgs. Tel. 22286, MICHELIN TYRES.-A. Gocke & Co., China Bldg., 7th, floor.
Tel: 22221.
PRESTOLITE BATTERIES.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's
Road. Tel. 2475),
A
WILLARD BATTERIES-Gilman & Co., Ltd, 4s, Des Voeux Rd.
C. Tel. 28011.