MOTOR NOTES.
NOTES FROM HOME.
AND NOW "BLUEBIRD!'
[FROM A LONDON CORRESPONDENT.]
ABOUT CHROMIUM
PLATING."
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1929.
DEFINING THE ELECTRIC
VEHICLE.
A TAXATION PROBLEM.
|
EXPORTS OF BRITISH
MOTOR CYCLES.
..1
Official Statistics for the year ruded December 31, 1928. ve re further expansion of exports of cently been issued and discrose a British Cycles and Motor Cycles
From the statistica in question it
Motor Cycle products to the various would appear that the total value of exports of British Cycle and markets of the World amount to 20,001,800 for the year ended De ceraber 31. 1928, as compared with | £3,886,364 for the year December 31, 1927.
1/
A significant paragraph ia the British Budget proposals refers to the duties charged on electrically propelled vehicles and reads na
Such statistica separate motor There are still,
follows:-"It is proposed to pre-cycles from moter cycle parts and apparently, motorists who do not appreciate vide that for the purpose of the complete bicycles from various the main advantages of chromium duties charged on mechanically classes of cycle parts. Tyres are plating-that it never requires the propelled vehicles a vehicle shall eladed from the figures which are application of metal polish.
not be deemed to be an electrical discussed. The Singer Co.. which is believedy Propelled vehicle unless the industry has received yet another standardise chromium plating on its either from a source external
The prestige of the British, motor to be the Arst British concern to electrical motive power is derived lip by Captain Malcolm Camp cars, pastes a notice on the wind the vehicle or from an electric bell's ne achievement in obtaining screen reminding owners that the storage battery which is not con world's records for five kilometres bright fittings only require clean nected with any source of power and five miles with his Napier-ing with a damp chamois leather when the vehicle is in motion." Arroi-Aster, "Bluebird." Camp and polishing with a soft dry cloth.
This is obviously inserted, says bell heat the old figure for the Not that motal polishes are actu
The Commercial fotor, with the latter distance by the enormous
object of overcoming the difficulty margic of 79 m.ph. and it is in- harmful to chromium plating which arose in the later months of as follows:- teresting to note that, although bis they are merely a waste of time
Chromium plating is one of the
last year, when the maker of a mean speed for the mile was 12.82 features of the very attractive new
petrol-electric vehicle finally won in.p.h lower than Segrave's with model introduced by the Standard
a decision in a long-protracted the Golden Arrow," yet this re- Co. This is know as the Tourist
case referring to the inclusion of Motor cycles presents only about 9/10ths of a
4-seater coupé, and is of the sports-
this type of vehicle under the Motor cycle second in actual time. Great satis.
category "electrically propelled,' man's close coupled type so much faction is felt
the Arrol-Aster in vogue at the present time.
thus considerably reducing the Cycles warks at Dumfries where the body appeals particularly to the driver out of tax payable as compar. Cycle parts was designed and constructed and
ed with that charged on a vehicle a great deal of work done to the who usually likes to carry only one
internal-combus- car generally.
passenger and to have ample lug. Propelled by an
tion engine. gage.accommodation protected from the weather, but to be able to take two extra passengers if he wishes. Two wide doors give easy access to front and rear seats, the former
Memories are "includined to be sewhat short as regards records and a case in point is the recens 24 hour record for the 3 to 3 litre
elary broken by a well known American er at Montthery in the hands of three British racing drivers. This car cover 1,716) miles in the period at an average speed of 72 m.p.h., but some time" ago a 6 cylinder Acedes of 2-litres only driven by Mr. Gillett throughout, covered 1,88 miles in the 24 hours at $9.39 m.p.h. The driver found no difficulty in driving the entire distance himself owing to the car's easy and comfortable runcing.
*COMBINING SPEED AND
11
FLEXIBILITY.
It
having peumatic upholsters which is such a boon to the driver on
long journey.
on either the standard 9 hp. long The Tourist Coupé can be had wheelbase chassis or on the 15 h.p. Six. A Safetex" screen and dipping headlights are other modern Sttings of this useful model.
SPECIALISED MUNICIPAL
VEHICLES.
In a recent issus dealing with Municipal Vehicles Motor Trans- part drew attention to the very high stage of development reached in Britain in respect of the applica- tion of motor vehicles, to there quirements of local authorities. In
the
31
We rather regret this return to the status quo, for the reason that einss of vehicle deserves some such we consider
petrol-electric incasure of encouragement, for it running delightfully smoothly and is an ideal type for certain work, being altogether free from any changing. possible jars and shocks from gear
SUNLIGHT MADE TO ORDER.
INGENIOUS TEST OF TYRES FOR USE IN TROPICS.
'Tropical sunshine is now being created in the midst of England's smoky Midlands to test the effect tyres made for use in hot climates. of strong sunlight upon motor The innovation has been carried out at the laboratories of Fort Dunlop,
no other country have manufactur: where research work is undertakes
ing out all forms of municipal transport in an efficient and econ umiest mariner.
the latest
world
The Sgures may now be analysed
parta
192T. Value.
1029. Value.
J
ง
2,142,172 2,590,201
11
017,730: 1,263,714 1,189,463 1,357,862 1,839,001 1,737,963
Grand total...£5,838,364 £8,901,800
It is also interesting to observe the trend of trade between Great British Possessions and for this pur- Britain and the various principal pose, an analysis of the numbers of cycles and motor cycles is given.
OTCLES.
Australia.... India... New Zealand *South Africa. ......
1997.
2,582
12 H.P.
Now
is the time
to buy your Car.
Austin
CARS
are famous throughout the world for Speed, Comfort, Economy and Reliability.
1829
2,387
102,505
198,928
7,879
13,137
11,840
13,387
British East Africa Fed. Malaya States. 1,942
MOTOR CYCLES..
3,462
7,809
1,531
1997.
1928.
9.503 8,724
9,119 1,902
3,186
2748
7,028
9,493
684
+32
398
934
PRINCE'S BUILDING.
TEL. C. 27...
Australia.......... Izdia..
New Zealand "South Africa. British East Africa
Fed. Malay States
-Including Northern and South-
ern Rhodesia Board of Trade returns for the
While on the subject of speed reference must surely be made to the 4-litre Bentley which has at- tained the position of the sporting motorist's ideal and has achieved ers and users co-operated so exten into the qualities of rubber destin-year ended December 31, 1928, dis world renown by its success in such sively and successfully to produced for most parts of the civilised close exports of British cycle and Interaction events :13 the Grand highly specialised vehicles so that Prix d'Endurance,
motor cycle parts at £3.238,850 as the means are available for carry- The may be described as
of the laboratory chemists explain-year ended December 31, 1927. Of "Resistance to sun-cracking" one compared with £2,358,737 for the logical development of the 3-litre mode, and is a true combination of
ed in an interview, "is an essential the above total it would appear that the iron hand" and the "velvet
feature of the modern tyre, and by the chief purchasers within the glove." For this Beatley will turn specialised vehicle is
A good example of a highly means of the ultra-violet ray lamp Empire are Australia, South Africa, itself into a veritable racing car at Dennis low-load line fire engine few hours, the effect of exposure to seen from the following table:
we can to-day produce, within a New Zealand, and India, as will be the wish of its driver when, at 60known as the "G" type, which months of strong sunlight. m.p.h. on top. the "engine is scarce has a pumping capacity of 30-30)
Motor y more than idling. or. it will glide gallons per minute and is shod with the values of various rubber com- "By this means we can find out
Cycle Cycle along at about 10 mp.h. on top pneumatic tyres and fitted with pounds with regard to their resist
Parts. Parta. with all the ease of a town servo-operated 4-wheel brakes, Thence to un-cracking and so anti-
1997-1927— riage. Among the features of this coiled delivery hose is carried in rigate the
Value, Value, example of Captain W. G. Beat ley's designing genius are two pairs of inclined valves to each cylinder being opened and another useful and two sets of sparking plage, one lamp is mounted at the rear of the at each side of the combustion vehicle to facilitate backing into head, fired by two independent but position for obtaining water. accurately synchronised magnetos.
way in which the
the main part of the body which ultimate product may be expected is automatically illuminated
on to behave in tropical countries.""
Within a few seconds of arrival
וי
+
HIS PREFERENCE.
Maid: The instalment man Mistress: "Tell him to take
is
a
Maid: "I did, but he said he -The Motor. would start with the motor-ear."
The Devonshire House firm of on the scene of action, the first- Rogtes, Ltd., are the world export-aid apparatus can be put into here." ers of Bentley cars, as well as of operation. 120 ft. of delivery hose, Hilbnan. Humber and Commer are carried on a reel at the rear chair." which, it will be remembered. were and a 35-gallon tank feeds the main amalgamated last nutumn. Apart from their export business they are of the sada acid and foam types are pump. Two chemical extinguishers the largest distributors of Austin, enrried, the latter being used for Hillman and Beatley cars and ignited petrol or other inflammable nearly the largest of Rolis-Royce,
The Hillman, Straight Eight in how to be seen on the road in ever increasing numbers and is, winning golden opinica's from users. This litre model, with its 4-speed gearbox giving 70 m.p.à, in top and 50 m.p.h. in third, was subjected to a most rigorous 50,000 mile teat, on British and Continental roads before the annfacturers even de- cided to put it into production..
is suficient to give access to the liquida. A 30 ft. telescopic fedder root of an average 3-storey house A number of these Dennis machines have recently been shipped to South Africa, India and Australia.
THE CHOICE OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.
Street cleansing and refuse col- A Hunter 10/50 h.p. Sporta coupe lecting are spheres in which the is the choice of Captain J. S. motor vehicle is steadily extending Irving, famous as the designer of its influence and it is satisfactory Sir Henry Segrave's "Golden Ar-to find that many foreign authori row," and it must have given partities are employing British vehicles cular pleasure to the makers to for these purposes. Karrier road receive this order from one of the sweepers, for instance, are used in most famous motor engineers of the cities of Berlin, Budapest, Cologne, Rotterdam and Helsing fors to mention but a few.
the age.
REAL CHASSIS AND ENGINE
TESTS.
treated
Australia...
South Africa
New Zealand India
£
188,372 89,499 153,624
61,423
57,710.
21,898
..... 238,481 23,388
The energy
and skill of the British Cycle and Motor Cycle ducts of the type required in the manufacturer in providing pro
above Dominicas provides an object lesson in the practical side of Inter- demonstrates the ability with which Imperial Trade and incidentally it
British "Cycle and Motor Cycle manufacturers are able to compete with foreign competitors in the markets of the Dominions.
gularly over routes with bills which various Dominions are not yet And these vehicles operate re- Detail Egures of imports into the are notorious. Porlock Hill, with available for 1028, but comparing its 1 in 4. gradient, rough surface British exports to these Dominions sad sharp bends, even today is as compared with foreign exports with respect by private for the last available period, the cars, yet it was, selected for testing comparison is as follows:-- one of the latest A.E.C. single- deck buses, the ascent being done
MOTOR CYCLES. many times with full load under the tions. most exaggerated service condi-
that
India
British. Foreign. 9,503 2,848
$53 1,038 115
2,119
CYCLES.
2 2
11,840 .109,305 450
KEEN FRANCO-AMERICAN RIVALRY. ,, '
1027. Australia.. New Zealand "...... 3,180 are, of course, the builders of the India
The Associated Equipment Co. South Africa ................. 7,028 vart fleet of nearly 3,000 buses operated by the London General 1027.
British Foreign. Omnibus Co.
It is interesting to learn
Australia Thornycrofts are now in production South Africa
2,582 with the larger types of six-wheeler
New Zealand ...... 7,878 for omnibus service to seat up to The collection of house and trade received orders from the Corpora 70 passengers, and have already refuse is a gigantic business. Motortions of Southampton and Liver-POLISH MOTOR MARKET. Transport shows that in London The system of chassis test em about 1,202,000 tons refuse involve pool. The latter authorities fully satisfied themselves of the merita played at the Humber "works at no less than 64 million calls an-
of the Thornycroft design, by pro Coventry is interesting for it per- nually at 770,000 premisen! Steam mits the slightest undue noise or waggons of Sentinel make are em
longed tests lasting many weeks vibration to be located. As soon as played in the city of Prague for and over 7,000 miles of regular ser. a chassis is completed it is fitted work of this nature and vehicles of with "save" pair of rear wheels. It is then mounted so that each of the rear wheels bears on a pair of rollers connected with huge dyna mos. The car is subsequently rus for various perioda on all gears in turn during which time electrical readings of the power transmitted by the hack wheels are taken. Further, the chassis is loaded with weight equivalent to the body, driver and passengers and definite power output must be recorded and the transmission conform to a standard degree of silence.
At the Armstrong Siddeley works the new 12 h.p. G-cylinder car en- gine was recently tested by the methods used for sero engines. It
vice.
the same kind have modernised the Of course the firm's 2-3 ton types are being employed in rapidly in
the
Warsaw. The fight for European motor-car market is ex tending in all French Citroen Company planning directions, the The Dutch Posta authorities creasing numbers in Overseas coun now "to open its own assembly have paid a well deserved compliries where roads are bad or non-plant here in order to be better ment to the British motor industry existent.
local system in Santiago, Chile.
Over 100 were
ordered able to compete with General
by ordering a fleet of Morris Com during the first 3 months of the Motors which, during the last few
mercial vans. The contract was only secured after experiments with several makes and it is understood that the final choice was made on reliability and low running and up- keep charges..
THE DEVELOPMENT OF" ROAD PASSENGER'. SERVICES.
year chiefly for use in New Zea and, South Africa, Rhodesia and South America.
IS THIS A MILEAGE.
RECORD?
izi
years, succeeded in steadily gain- ing ground on the Polish market against the French product.
It may be noted in recent years the number of motor-Cars Poland has increased from 14,600 at the end of 1925, to 18,500 and With the development of regular 21,800 in the two following years bus and coach services some very and to 29,400 at the end of 1928. big mileage 6gures are being estab. Among the latter were 4,900 trucks. lished but there can be few that Motor cycles total 4,187. excel the record of one of the latest
A writer in Bus & Coach points type of Commer buses which has
VEHICLES.
was run continuously night and day out that the firet long distance been running six double journeys TAXIMETERS ON GOODS at half throttle for ten periode, at coach service in England, between between Leicester and Nottingham the end of each period half an London and Bristol, was started daily. During the first 6 months bour's fall throttle running being before chassis were built especially for which figures are available, this So certain goods. vehicles in given. This lasted for 100 hours for passengers by. most, manufać-machine actually covered no less France are to be equipped with during which time low running, turers and pneumatic tyres were by than 60,000 miles. This is equiva taximeters. The idea appears to acceleration, maximum revolutions no means the rule. Just 4 years lent to over 300 miles a day. Even hold out some interesting possibili- and maximum power were also test- later Britain is covered with a allowing a month in the year for ties, but we hope, remarks. The rd. Subsequently the engine was network of long distance routes overhauls including decarbonising. Oommercial Motor, if the idea de- mounted in chassis and went off worked by vehicles remarkable for and valve grinding, this represents velops in this country, that there on a 10,000 mile night and day road their extreme comfort and effici- an annual average of over 100,000 will be no "erawlers" looking for test emerging successfully without ency.
that ton of good. If so, the police.
mile
"
Cavill sona be getting-buey,
ALEX. ROSS & CO.
(CHINA), LTD,
KOWLOON GARAGE & SHOWROOM.
TEL. K. 1436.
GOOD YEAR
Slow Tread Wear
The tough and wear resisting qualities of the All-Weather Tread give many extra miles of satis- factory service.
DISTRIBUTORS;
[A.PE]
ALEX. ROSS & CO. (China), Ltd.
Prince's Building, 2nd Floor.
Telephone: Cant
HONGKONG"
Kowloon Service Station