THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22ND, 1926."
Foundations! Motoring Notes:
FIT DUNLOP
AND BE SATISFIED,
THE foundation of Dunlop tyre
quality is Experience. AWAY BACK IN 1888
"DUNLOP
WAS THE NAME IN THE
TYRE WORLD.
The accumulated experience of the years is in every Dunlop Tyre you' buy. That's why Dunlops yield the longest mileage and are so utterly satisfactory under all conditions of. service.
DUNLOP RUBBER COMPANY,
LIMITED,
.BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.
Branches Throughout the World.
DUNLOP THE STANDARD by which ALL TYRES are JUDGED.
66
SHE
SHELL
SHELL
DELIVERED BY OUR OWN LORRIES Direct into CERTIFIED
SHELL PUMPS
IS ALWAYS THE SAME
PERFECT QUALITY AND
CORRECT MEASURE
The Acte Persiputs (6.19.C.) Lad
scorporated is Eaglod)
SOCONY
MOTOR OIL
MODERN OILS FOR MODERN MOTORS
REFINED UP TO A Standard NOT DOWN TO A Price
-In4sizes
of all Chemists & Stores
Just call for a glass of Horlick's
There's nothing like Horlicks to buck you up when fatigued with work or nut down Horlicks is maile from body-building and energy creating wheat, milk and malted barley in a most assimilable form.
HORLICK'S MALTED MILK
THE ORIGINAL
Representative-Mr. H. M. HODGES, P.O. Box 1871, Shanghai,
A Weekly Review dealing
with matters of interest to all local motorists.-
On Top Gear The Overland Whippet-Where Cars are Used-Malaya and
China.
[BY AN OWNER-DRIVER]
ON TOP GEAR.
In the humble opinion of more than one engineer in Hong Kong the car that is suitable for use in this island is one that will climb practically, all of the way up to the Peak with a normal land on top gear. Especially is that true of any car owned by a Peak resident.
The problem is different in Kowloon. The gradients over the other side seem to be easier on ears. Probably a small car benefits from the fact that it has to run some distance out of Kowloon before it comes to a gradient." It has a chance to
warm up."
A few months ago the writer ran out to Taipo on a small light en- two seater. We did the outward and the re- turn journey on top gear all the way.
It is practically certain that if the car had been fitted with a four-seater body and had carried four passengers, it would have failed to maintain top gear all the way up to the Peak.
Probably the favourite run for Hong kong motorista is from the lower Peak Tramway Station out to Repaise Bay.
The acw road over the hill (Wong Nai Chung Gap) bas an easier gradient, especially on the return journey, than
the road vid Pokfulam.
LOCAL GRADIENTS..
It is a long pull up from Aberdeen to the home of the priests at Pokfuhm. The Erst hill has a good gradient and practically all cars can manage it on top
gear.
It is the second hill, commencing near the junction with Jubilee Read, that is the difficulty.
་
The approach at that junction is very bad and the apthorities would earn the gratitude of all local motorists if they would make improvements near that june
tion.
perty is difficult.
the top of the hill there occurs the worst gradient.
A LOST OPPORTUNITY. Robinson Road is now 'opened for cars. The big wash out of the road right above Glenenly has been repaired.
Alas! the dangerously narrow bridge adjacent to that piece of road remains just as it was.
For years some of the local advocates of road improvements have been begging the authorities to widen that bridge.
It would not cost a great deal. It would, of course, be a nuisance during construction.
When the road was closed owing to the disappearance of a part of it near to that bridge it seemed almost that providence was helping the motorists. Alas! the old We must not take bridge remains. visitors along that road lest they see the new road and the old bridge.
THE OVERLAND WHIPPET.
When the salesman says that a 25 horse-power engine (British rating) will give you a consumption of 2 piles to the gallon, ask him if he will pay up your petrol bill for any excess consump- tion!
He is probably repeating statements wade by the makers. And they are giving igures obtained under ideal condi tions. You never do run your car under ideal condition's!
Don't expect the impossible-riz., ideal conditions in Hong Kong,
·THE
QUESTION OF
A CA
To all coming have on lave
ANY MAKE OF CAR will be waiting for you to usa- fully licensed and insusi WRITE OR CABLE what make you want with a cheque as deposit. MOREOVER in all cases, excepting Amarican Cars, we will refund you 65 of the purchase price within six months you taking delivery, or after a longer bered a fair market price will be given
of
H.C.NELSON I
107 Jerumin St, Piccadilly, LONDON Gogoans NEIŠOCARS, PKKY, LONDON Sanvica day and night – Frat Gorage Bin, ba. Midnight
TAKE A
DIP IN THE OCEANI
So we will leave out petrol consumption figures for the time being, except to say that it is probable that, in the daily wear and tear use of a car in Hong Kong, the "Whippet" will give you as good, it not a better, petrol consumption that any other five-seater car in the Colony. Also, much better than a very large num ber of cars. For there are cars that cost a great deal for petrol. Eight miles to the gallon is a luxury for only the very INSURÉ EVERYTHING wealthy people.
THE RICARDO HEAD.
SOME IMPRESSIONS OF A TRIALänder engine of the "Whippet" car.
RUN IN HONG KONG.
The triumph of the last two or three years, in the motoring world, has been the production of an inexpensive light
стой
What appealed greatly to the writer was the Ricardo type of cylinder head. which is incorporated in the four- Ricardo is a great engine and the cy:in der head that bears his name ensurca better combustion than the ordinary
type.
"
A refinement that is found only on the high priced cars (with this exception) is preasure lubrication not only to the grankshaft bearings but also to the com- shaft bearings,
WITH
GILMANS
POLICIES.
[25
lialy waited in eager expectation for the appearance of a light car that, ac cording to British tax rating, had a seven
The car carries five people in comfort, OCEAN COMPREHENSIVE horse-power engine. Some tritics said It is amazing that the makers can afford that the engine was not powerful enough
but they do it. These even for a light car. On the other hand to fit Gabriel Snubbers
Snubbers" ensure easy the car was a remarkable production-riding over rough roads.. good value for the price demanded.
The car looks larger than it actually is America and Europe waited to see lor it measures only 12 feet long 5 feet whether the Overland Whippet cars wide overall.. would be all that those associated with the design and production of them be-brakes are fitted. The Perrot Bendix lieved them to be. These cars are now three shoe system is used. That requires on the market not only in Europe and very light pressure to put the brakes America but in Hong Kong...
A LIGHT CAR.
**
du,
Four whee! (internal expanding)
On several occasions these brakes were
to be seen in Hong Kong is blue.
The local price of the car is gold $550. It is a car that should create a demand
Ascending the hill-it is usually called The Dairy Farm Hill" probably be- cause it divides, the Dairy Farm pro-alvernisements in the local journals of be easy in action and very satisfactory.
For many months past we haye scent on by the writer and were found to The body of the car is all steel. The road turns and twists and towards these ears. We had to be patient for fish is lacquer. The colour of the rar
although it was hoped to see them in "Hong Kong some weeks ago, the first
cat available for inspection Whippet only arrived here a few days ago.
Almost as soon as it arrived the writer for itself. took it for a trial 'run. Just the usual trip round to Repulse Bay; one run ridicksha. It is light and so easily handled Pokfulam and the other over the hill and that it is especially to be recommended the Wong Nai Chong Gap. No consumption a car for a lady to drive. figures were taken it was just an intro- duction. The car was so charming that it was a case of affection deepening S acquaintance continued.
Very few cars are fitted with gradient meters. It would be of interest to know that gradient really is the steepest' in Hong Kong.
They may be something more steep on the Shaukiwan Hill but it is doubtful
CHANGE GEARS.
Many a driver hangs on too long to top gear. When the speed of the car is falling fast on a gradient it is wise to change gears some time before it seems necessary to do so.
It
These are the first impressions of one
It spells the eventual doom of the local
57
WHERE CARS ARE USED.
We have received from Londen, with the compliments of the Society of Motor
who has driven all sorts of cars during Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd., a book-
an experience of a quarter of a century. let of about 150 pages dealing with " The Nearly all local cars when fully load-
First of all, the car is light. It looks Motor Industry of Great Britain.' ed must change gears at that last steep
quite a big car, but in actual fact it contains many very interesting items. gradient on the Dairy Farm Hill
The introduction states that the need might almost be said that if a car (fully weighs only 17 hundredweight. A light loaded) does not have to change down weight tells its own story at the end of for the collection and dissemination of from top gear at that last steep gradient the year when you count up the expense authoritative statistics and information on the Dairy Farm Hill, then it is over of tyres. It also stands to reason that with regard to the motor industry of this
you use less petrol in propelling a 17 coqntry is evident." engined.
Speaking generally, the petrol con-ext. car than you do in propelling a car sumption, on the level road, increases that is three times as heary. with the size of the engine.
So that we came to the conclusion that our ideal local car should change gears at that last steep gradient on the Dairy Farm Hill. It should, however, not be compelled to change down to the lowest of three gears,
On the other hand the ideal local car should be able to do the first hill out of Aberdeen and a good deal of the Dairy Farm Bill on top gear.
THE LOSS OF POWER.
In our present stage of knowledge about mechanism tooth gears seem inevitable although we are sanguine that, some genius, auch as the designer of the Con- staatanesco car, will save the next gene- ration from the defects of tooth gears.
When there is a direct drive from the engine to the differential there is a minimum loss by friction.
The nuisance of that is that the loss of
power comes just at a time when we can least spare it.
A POWERFUL ENGINE, Most of the cars that weigh less than hundredweight are fitted with engines of about 10 to 12 horse-power, British tax rating.
Some of the facts collected are enecur aging for those of us who wish to see machine power replace man power in China.
In 1911 there were 47,000 cars in use
in Great Britain. In 1925 there were 580,000 cars in use. The figures for com- mercial vehicles are, for those years, 25,000 and 232,000 respectively,
This car is fitted with an. engine of 15.5
Up to May 31st, 1820, nearly a million horse-power, British tax rating.
Thus the second impression is that the cars and motor vehicles had been regis-
tered. car is powerfully cagined.
Incidentally it may be mentioned that There are, in Great Britain, many engineers who advocate the use of the the population of Great Britain has been 10 horse-power engine and the light car. steadily rising from a total of 30,248,000 Has the They claim, rightly, that it is quite in 1908 to 43,767,000 in 1920. powerful enough for the level road and motor industry done something to sup- when the car comes to a bill, there is port the increased population?
In 1008 there were 600.7 persons in the gear box-use it!
That is quite sound in its way. Con. Great Britain for every motor vehicle ditions in Hong Kong are not the same registered. In 1926 there were 45.8 per
san per vehicle. The following table as conditions at home."
On the island the amount of hill climab makes us wonder where Hong Kong or ing that must be done is abnormal. Shanghai would figure in a list of towns Consider the case of Jones (or Robin and cities of Asia in which motor care
are used.
No. of Persona per Country.
Vehicles. Vehicle. United States. 39,843,000 5.8 Canada
719,718
33
New Zealand..... Australia
12,0
00,203
19.5 297,311 060,000 45:6 703,430
51.3 252,508 247.9
12.6
When we drive through the other gears we lose a considerable amount of power-son) who lives on the Peak. He wants even a car that will climb about 1,500 feet probably twenty-five per cent, or
twice, and sometimes three times a day, more by friction, etc.
with a minimum trouble to the driver.
He can manage it on top
gear all the way with five up with an engine rated We are making a bigger demand than at 15. horse-power. A few weeks ago usual on the engine in ascending the the writer tried it with four up on a steep gradient for we are doing much light car with an engine tated at between more work when we have to lift the car 10 and 11 horse-power. He found that drive it over the road sur-the car could do it on top over parts: as well
of the journey but he had to. change Perhaps the ratio of the number of face.
people to the vehicles is a mecsure of If we have to use a lower gear all the gears" frequently.
An explanation of what that involves the wealth of the country. It must also way up from Aberdeen to Pokfulam, or all the way along Stubbe Road. to the is given elsewhere. For the time being be remembered that gasoline is found in
Peak, we are taing about twenty-five per cent. more petrol in the engine than if we were doing the same job on top gear with that same engine. We are also generating (in the lower gear a good deal of heat due to excess friction.
the writer gives it as bis considered opinion that it is essential for any one who wishes to run up to the Peak twice day to have a car that will do the journey on top" gear.
Great Britain France
Germany
Italy...
113,000 300.2
the United States. It is cheap there.
MALAYA AND CHINA.
In the statistics showing the world coo- That is the great secret of the pesumption of motor vehicles (compiled by It is the only story of the happy mean pularity of the American car in Hong the Society of Motor Manufacturers and for the sake of economy, Most of us are Kong-the powerful engine that saves Traders, Ltd.) it is stated that there are so poor that we cannot afford to be extra continual gear changing. In that respect 17.390 private cars and 4,279 commercial
Of course, we should love to the Whippet" scores considerably vagant. have a Durmiler Double Six" that cause of the powerful engine.
would take any hill in Hong Kong on
top gear with five up, but we can't afford
a car.
ECONOMY.
Some day, perhaps, the writer may be
vehicles in British Malaya.
The corresponding figures for Chian are 10,623 and 2,347.
The figures for Hong Kong giyen are
twelve months that ended December 31st, 1925, is only 41 but for commercial vehicles the figure is 208.0.
to buy the car and some of i could not afford to run it even if some one appre-in a position to give figures on this sub-1,201 and 184. The, percentage increase ciated us enough to present us with such ject. At present he can only repeat what in private cars for Hong Kong in the
f he was told; that was that this car will We would like to buy the car that can run 35 miles to the gallon of petrol: carry five people in comfort, that is economical to run and that will not cost us much in the way of repairs.
By all meane use the gears, but don't run several miles a day on a low gear. Don't be in a desperate hurry when you are not in top gear.
That statement was made in all good faith and no doubt" Whippet" cars have dont 35 miles to the gallon.
Not in the ordinary daily wear and tear running in Hong Kong was the comment on the above assertion. It is the same with all cars.
One would have expected India to bare inore than 60.290 private cars and 9,864 commercial vehicles. It is noticeable that awali has 22.000 private cars and 6,300
commercial vehicka,
(Continued on next" Column).
It is essential to have a
RELIABLE DISINFECTANT
always at hand.
WALKER'S
RECE
CARBOLACENE
SAFE
0
GUARDS HEALTH
PREVENTS DISEASE.
Should be freely used in all Houses, Ships, Public Buildings, etc.
Do not be put off with cheap substitutes
but ask for
CARBOLACENE
by name.
Sole Agents ANDERSON & ASHE, Queen's Building.
[A.P.B.]
[123
FINDLATER'S STAG'S HEAD BRAND
BRITISH LAGER BEER
VERY LIGHT
$19,50 PER CASE OF 6 DOZEN PINTS.
Or $3.50 per dozen including dary delivered to your residence.
SOLE AGENTS--
GILMAN & Co., Ltd.,
Hongkong Bank Building. Tel C. 290.
CONTINENTS.
$
Of the world consumption of motor vehicles, considering the five continents, we see that America takes 80.5 per cent.
Europe takes 10.5 per cent, Australasia 1:8 per cent.
Asia is almost negligible, with 0.8 per cent., but Africa in worse with 0.4 per cent.
The total consumption of motor vehicles
for the whole world is given as 24,348,793, of that total the British Empire absorbs 8.8 per cent.