THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY
JUNE“
1040,
..the famous
LOOK INSIDE Firestone
RAYON TRANSPORT
TRUCK TYRE
HIGH QVAL DESIGH
TOUGH, LONG-WEARING, ABRASION-RESISTANT TREAD
✪ TWO EXTRA TREAD· PLIES· ·
DURAFLEX CONSTRUCTION
HIGH TENSILE GUM-DIPPED RAYON CORD BODY
TWIN BEADS
Firestone "KNOW HOW" HAS PRODUCED A TYRE. THAT WILL DELIVER THE LOWEST COST PER MILE
Made in ENGLAND, U.S.A. and CANADA WILLIAM HUNT & CO.Fed. Inc., U.S.A.
Tel: 31104, 123. Hongkong Bank Building.
Switch to
Auto-Lite
Batteries
For dependable operation Switch to Auto-Lite. Money can not buy a better battery,
Sole Agents JEBSEN & CO., :
12 Pedder St.
Tel. 26061.
MOTORING NEWS AND VIEWS
STYLELINE CONVERTIBLE. Well balanced Unes unspoilt by excessive ornamentation make
the latest Chevrolet a truly handsome car..
Styleline Chevrolet
Fleetline And Models By
Alone among the "big three” American manufacturers in employing over- head-valve engines on a popular-priced automobile; the General Motors Corporation offer for 1949 the improved 31⁄2-litre Chevrolet with smart new two-door, four-door, convertible and station-wagon bodies. Alternative body ranges are the Fleetline, with roof'
thrust race in the steering swivel
France's National Racer
the
Light is thrown on chequered career of the CTA- Arsenal, the French national Grand Prix racing car, by an interim report from the com- mittee of four experts- Messieurs Norroy, Angell, Lory and the late J.PWimile-who were appointed to enquire into the state of the project.
Construction of a national racing car was originally suggest- ed by Raymond Sommer and was undertaken by the National Ar- senal of Aeronautics to the de- signs of M. Lory, famous designer of the Delages.
the under The project was direction of the Centre Technique
the
de l'Automobile, the co-operative
.ot research organisation French motor industry.
Design studles began only in September, 1946, but the proto- type was built and ready for test on August 20, 1947.
First public appearance of the Grand'
and tail liries swept together in a single curve, and the Styleline, with the rear aspect showing: provides for light steering, even car was in the French
a more nearly vertical rear window.
De-luxe models in each range. Overhead valves are actuated are characterised by enclosed by push-rods and rockers, with for rear wheels, stainless-steel de- mechanical adjustment ecration of front wings, wind clearance, and the standard, com- screen and window frames, and pression ratio is 6.6. extra interior amenities.
With a power output of 90 b.h.p. from
3,549 an engine of
Jet Assisted
are
After modification Eugene Mar- tin was able to break, the Mon- thery lap record and the car was Grand entered in the Rheims Prix,
Cars
to
with 6.70-in.-section tyres run-Prix in September, 1947, but the axle casing fractured at the start, ning at 24 lb. inflation pressure.
Brakes are of the hydraulic & misfortune subsequently found type, with provision for mechani- to be caused by Gerceness of the axle and a flaw in the axle casing. col application of the rear brakes clutch, a too rigid location of the for parking.
Drums are of composite for with 11-in-diameter ribbed- alloy cast-iron rims and pressed steel webs, approximately 50 per cent of the braking effort being Lubrication arrangements are applied via the front wheels.
During practice the first proto q.e. displacement, or' 29.4 h.p.unusual in that there is no direct rating by the now-obsolete Bri-supply of
to the Strength Through Unitype put in a lap at 97 m.p... pressure oil
but the second and third
slower. owing tish taxation system, the Chevro-big-end bearings. The pump feeds let competes on
approximately lubricant to main bearings, over- Hitherto attention has been de- were proved
to individual mechanical trouble with valves and carbur- level terms with the Ford and head rocker gear and the timing voted Plymouth.
gear, and also to nozzles spraying components, of the Chevrolet. The ation.
Eventually Martin crashed oil on to the big-end bearings, frame around which these Its engine
is entirely in while under low speed or starting assembled is a simple and ortho- owing to a fracture of the trans-
structure, boxed
Ride mission, shaft and all vehicles dividual, however, in respect of conditions oll colleets-ing troughs, dóx design features which have been into which the connecting rods members of top-hat section being were withdrawn,
slightly over 42 ins. In depth, selected to give, the best austain-dip.
which permitted ed performance compatible with
axle support, almost 4 ins. in width and fabri- was caused by failure of the rear low first cost..,
cated in 3/32-in.-thick steel.
misalignment of the drive shaft. Cross-members at the below the gearbox, and at the "The CTA now began to have rear are supplemented by the doubts about proceeding with the strength of steel-roofed Fisher project and the committee of in- bodies; in the case of ears fitted quiry was appointed. The report with convertible coachwork, ad emphasises that the car was re- ditional bracing is provided by a garded by the CTA as a research of I-beam members, vehicle in which technical risks structure which replace the simpler normal were taken in the design of sus
pension, braking and bodywork engine rear-support member.
Engine mountings are less far, for the sake of the information Cooling arrangements include
water forward than on some modern to be gained, and tribute is pald Individual full-length jacketing of the cylinders and, designs,, so that undue lengthen to the work of the Arsenal in jets of coolant from the pumping of the propeller shaft and designing and constructing the of weight from the car in less than eleven months in transter, directed on to the valye seals driving to the steered wheels is spite of immense difficulties. A thermostat, shuts off the radia-avoided, for circulation
Generous dimensions having permitted the desired power out- Heart of the six-cylinder engine put to be obtained with moderate is a counterbalanced crankshaft, piston speeds, this simple lubri- supported in four thin-wall main cation system has much to re- bearings. Connecting rods of 1 commend it; apart from low cost, section are used, in conjunction it provides cyclinder-wall lubri with light, flat-topped pistons of cation immediately after a cold cast alloy iron, slipper skirted start, which should greatly as and carrying three rings apiece. sist the attainment of long life
between overhauls.
TRY THE FEEL!
I those Sofa Wide Seats...up to five feet wide! And soft!
• White sidewell
First ofüdable.
‚al antio cost.
Feel that Mid Ship Ride...you'll ride in the lovel center section of the car's
Feel that Equa-Poise power in both the new 100hp. V-8 and the 95hp. Six.I
Feel those Hydra-Coil Springs in front teamed with "Para-Flex"Springs in the roar!
Feel the wheel...you'll love
Feel that heavy gauge
steel Lifeguard" Body, and
5 member box section frame
59% more rigid.
Feel those "Magic Action brakes,
49 FORD
Your Ford Dealer invites you té listen to
Listen to the Ford Theater, Friday Evening
T
that arrow-straight,
Steering 1
1949
* up to 35% easier acting...theyre King Size toa
HEW
in your future
There's a
"Drive a Ford and
FEEL the difference
32
Fred Milan Show, Sunday Evenings –NOG Network,
CDS Network, see your newspaper for time and station,
HARPER & SHEA,
KOWLOON SHOW ROOMS:
KIMBERLEY ROAD TEL. 57186
LTD.
OFFICE: SHELL HOUSE TEL. 28273
until
front.
This
trouble
Although the first prototype
ǹ water The seating positions provided ran in August, 1947, work had to temperature of 140. degree F. is are far enough, forward,
/ attained, but opens fully with ever, not merely
to "keep
a temperature of 170 degrees F., Seats within the wheelbase,
so that the engine should worm to allow widening up quickly yet not boll away seat alcohol types of anti-freeze,
A further thermostat is located in the exhaust system to regulate the amount of heat supplied the the centre of the induction mani- fold..
how-be abandoned for three months
Excess Weight'
KINGPIN-that's you.
YOU'RE THE KINGPIN-IN YOUR GORGEOUS NEW BUICK ROADMASTER CONVERTIBLE So eyecatching in its beauty--so completely unmatched in its ability to thrill.
BUICK
Roadmaster
WITH DYNAFLOW DRIVT
THE BUY IN BIG CARS,
CHINA INTERNATIONAL MOTORS LTD
Bates 703 Bank of East Asia Bldg.,
Telephone 31440
Service Station
&
Showroom
360 Mennessy Road, Telephone 28489.
GENERAL
ACCIDENT FIRE & LIFE
ASSURANCE CORPORATION LTD,
2.
(Incorporated In Great Britain)
• Mannzor for China & Hong Kong
K. B. Mackenlo Tel. 2610M
HINTS TO HONG KONG MOTOR OWNERS:
8. Remember that the other fellow may not be such a good driver as you are. Keep to the left at all times:
SPECIALISTS IN MOTOR INSURANCE
Molat Agentes-
Firs
Marthe Agenia:---
Aten. Toss & Co. (Chin} LIE Windsor House Tel. 33619:
James it, Backhouse, 149. Marina Kouna Tel. 26701."
OLYMPIC MOTORS LTD
41-51 LOCKHART ROAD, HONGKONG
TEL. 22639,
SPEEDY, COURTEOUS & PERFECT SERVICE
TO ALL CAR OWNERS,
the during the ensuing winter and but much more time. was lost on de- of the rear tall works, so that the true deve- (Sales without restriction
bylopment programme did not com- wheel nrches.
mence until June, 1948, to be in- with 1949 terrupted accordance
when a month later In fashion, all instruments are con- misgivings set in at the CTA. centrated within a single large circular dial, set directly above the steering column and visible through a two-spoke wheel.
in- The present position is: (1) the Widened bodywork has creased the arca of the front car weighs 20-25 per cent more windscreen, and the tront pillars than current vehicles in the 1,- to reduce 500 cc. Grand Prix category; (2) have been slimmed
the engine has blind arcas by 32 por cent: Press-development of
still to be undertaken; and (3) and three-speed synchromesh button exterior door catches are
development of the transmission gearbox being built into a unit another
has been begun, but will have to with the engine. Gear Selection is confined
be tackled anew. steering cars. by a lever below, the column, with the actual selector
Orthodox. Transmission
Transmission Inyout in or thodox, a single dry-plate clutch
mechanism enclosed.
hitherto expensive
innovation,
10 more
Full-width bodies
in the
The 1939 11⁄2-tre Mercedes modern manner are pleasing in weighed 1,430 lb empty, and the Alfetter weighed 1,450 to 1,540
appearance without
tion.
being £x-
information.
A tubular propeller shaft and tremist in contour or ornamenta- tb, according to the committen's
plain-bushed universal single joint are enclosed within a tor-
Two-door and four-door sódans
The CTA Arsenal originally que tube and tranfmit power are offered with either. Fleetline from the all-helical gearbox to or Styleline rear body form, and weighed 1,717 lb with light alloy hypoid-bevel-geared semi-floating in each case with or without de radiator and original drive shafts.
luxe equipment.
With copper radiator and -stan- Other basle body types offered dard Glaenzer, shafts it weighed include Business Coupe, Sport, a little more than 1,800 lb. Coupe, two-door convertible and. This alona is suffetent to rufa
reur axle.
Thrust loads are not taken by the torque tube on this car, but are transmitted from axle to chnesia through the front eyes of 40-in, long, semi-elliptic leaf rear springs.
alternative station wagons wood or steel construction,
of
its chances of competing success- Using a single basic chassis, fully. By the end of 1948 M. Lory had been able to carve 95 Metal covers are uned for the and with all bodies having many off the weight by detailed. rear springs, which are insulated parts in common, Chevrolet at-
by rubber. tain on economlen!
of lightening degreo from the chossis
Telescopic double-acting hydraulic atandardisation, yet can offer pension.
shock absorbers are splay-mount- buyers an extremely wide range ed to damp out any body sway, of alternative models. their upper.fixings being through tubber bushes directly on to the steel body structure.
Front suspension continues
to
be independent for each wheel
by unequal-length transverso
arms giving minimum track variation.
chala
MOTORING IN NORWAY
of brakes and
BUS-
As a third stage, further geina could be obtained by replacing the cast iron cylinder blocks with. steel, constructing light alloy superchargers, and, further studies on suspension, all of which are. estimated to cut weight to 1,500 lb.
The engine, which, is, of course, a Veight, has developed
195
are be-
Petrol is not rationed in Nor- Coll springs are partially pro-way. The controlled price is Od
b.h.p, at 5,500 r.p.m. and 212 tected with its
metal shields, per litre, or roughly 2 3d per b.h.p. at 6,000 r.p.m.
Certain restrictions ap-! which latter form part of a re-gallon.
Corresponding figured for the movable, frunt
member, ply to Norwegian car ownern, and non-reliable telescople, shock as regards driving distance and Mercedes and Alfettes dumpers are concentrle with the suchlike, but not to British vial-loved to be about 187 and 207
b.l.p. ni similar.rova. torn. springs.
Full bench tests were delayed for a long time through lack of dynamometer which would permit the engine to be run up to in peak power speed of ap- proximately 7,800 rpm.
Stooring details have been ro No ration cards are required vied on the 1949 chaanis to give by Belilah visitors, and the food improved riding adillen. The position in Norway is now good. ara controlled, track rod is now divided into two All hotel pricen
to a bell and the average charge for A equal halves, jointed crank which pivots on the centre room and three meals in roughly a day in most tourini of the frame front cross-member a pound and is in turn, controlled from renoris in the fjords and in the this class the engine will have to
are a little dovelop 'nt least 278 b.l.p. at i the steering box.
mountains. Charges King-plus are inclined at an higher in Oalo and Borgen, but peak and should.be able to hold angle of fiva degrees to give lower in smaller rondaido igns full power the
minutes. centro-point steering, and a ball and tourist stations.
To equal the best engines in
at
Joust
five (
Let
OLYMPIC MOTORS
SERVICE YOUR CAR..
Service Agents for, ROVER, LAND ROVER
and CITROEN ears.)
CHEVROLET
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BUY OF ALL FOR 1949!
APB
There's never been a Chevrolet like this. Never Chevrolet so smartly styled, so luxurious, so advanced §- comfort, safety and performance with economy. It's fe and away the finest Chevrolet ever built-the mid beautiful buy of all the new cars! Two distinctive ne body styles in Fleetline and Styleline including De Lux and Special.
FAR EAST MOTORS LIMITED.
25, Nathan Road,
KOWLOON.
Tels, 56849 &