2
WHIPPET
FOURS & SIXES
INCREASED POWER
LONGER WHEEL BASE
CHROMIUM PLATED RADIATORS
LONGER SPRINGS
GREATER BEAUTY
And LOWEST PRICES in their respective clansas'
SHOWROOM
SERVION STATION
DISTRIBUTORS
RIGID-FRAME
"SIXER."
די
"DURO" MOTOR CO., LTD. NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
GILMAN & CO., LTD.
A PIONEERING ACHIEVE- MENT.
"AROUND AUSTRALIA
EXPEDITION."
Facilities existed, or where, at best, animal transport formed the only means of communication,
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1929.
MOTOR NOTES
WAA
miles-in a' period of exactly sive | Adelaide, Coolgardie (famous for months; the object of this under the great gold rush of 1899-3 and taking being to test the practie again in the limelight), Perth, ability of modern transport in road. | northwards við Port Headland and Iesa "outback" territory, large Broome to Derby, eastwards vii areas of which only require means, Newcastle Waters to Townsville, of communication to encourage and down the Queensland coast to settlement, and to collect frst hand Brisbane, thence to Sydney and information for commercial and back again to Melbourne. educational purposes of the condi
During the early stages of the tions and potentialities of the vast, but little known, Australian hinter journey, the "going
com paratively easy, and apart from land.
occasional delays through the trucks becoming bogged in loose soil, ne Serious trouble was encountered. dolay threatened, however, in cross- ing the treacherous Pardoo Swamy in Western Australia. The dead weight of the wehicles had been increased by taking on a full load of petrol and oil for the long trek around the coast to Broome, and the feelings of the party can be imagined when unexpectedly both vehicles sank to their bodies in the mile-wide morass.
Apart from reflecting great credit to its financier and organiser, Mr. MacRobertson, of Melbourne, whose enterprise and public spirit are well known in Australing circles, the achievement of..anch an expedition is of the greatest value, not only on account of the mileage coveted this in itself has significance
great part of the journey, the vehicles, which in this case each weighed seven tons laden, had to make their own tracks through wild undeveloped country, where out- side mechanical assistance' was 'un- available.
In this respect, the performance of the British-built Karrier rigid-but, because of the fact that for a frame six-wheeler is outstanding. and since its adven; during the early part of 1923, when the Kar rior medium capacity goods model competed in British War Office trials in Dorsetshire, England, this class of vehicle has forged steadily ahead, and in spite of adverse criti cism and opposition from certain unprogressive quarters, it can be Sound to-day operating in almost every part of the world with a suc- eens which has justified the claims
"
three hours' effort "Burke" ald " Wills" with their wheels alter- natively slipping and gripping. forced their way across pad up the opposite bank regardless of all obstacles.
Ran to Schedule,
From this it will be seen that soft or loose ground surfaces were the only factors, which caused the expedition any appreciable delay, but as it was always found possible to make up lost time, the vehicles ron to schedule throughout.
WILLYS
KNIGHT
CARS & TRUCKS.
SHOWROOM SERVICE STATION
DISTRIBUTORS
"DURO" MOTOR CO., LTD,
NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
LTD. GILMAN & CO;
derfal experience, and that the. MacRobertson Expedition-the first to encircle the continent with heavy motor vehicles-had demonstrated the practicability of this type of transport even in the outmost parts. of Australia.
wecks
an
ม
potential user of motor transport.
For the benefit of people living "outback," moving picture shows,
Pioneer journeys, of this descri- wireless and gramophone concerts were beld, and these were greatly
ption have, indeed, a rational appreciated on all occasions by both
value, and in view of the truly re- black and white, many of whom travelled from 50 to 100 miles to
markable performance of the two attend the entertainments. The
Karrier six-wheelers, the 'alogan, wireless amazed the aborigines!
"BUY BRITISH; IT'S BET- Although much wild country was Regarding the vehicles them.TER," should have greater, signifi- passed through, none of the partyaolves it is noteworthy that s were in the least troubled by blacks, throughout the whole twenty-two cance than ever to every user or Claypan Orust,
and guard was never kopt. Hun- dreds of crocodiles were seen in the To the eye, the surface was level vicinity of Docby, West Australia, and inviting, but, as experience showed, the baked claypan crust and kangaroos, emus and wild was only 4 to 5 ins, thick Un-urkeys were plentiful. The Queens
land " roads Jaunted, however, the intrepid and Brisbane were found to be the between Gympie pioneers set to work improvising & wors: which the expedition had ea- track 300 yds, long, and although
countered. this occupied two vaulable days, their efforts were rewarded by see. ing the trucks extricated from their precarious position.
Equally trying, if not so danger- was the journey between How far, one might ask, would Broome and Derby, where soft loase A four-wheeler have travelled on such a route?
Obviously, many difficulties were encountered, hundreds of miles of sady and gibber" plain bad to be negotiated, treacherous swamps, ereeks and water courses had to be endlena miles of roadless country previously attempted by heavy vehicles also had to be traversed.
It is a generally accepted fact- admitted even by foreign rivals that the British-built motor truck is the very embodiment of the of even its most sanguine expon.crossed, whilst mountain ranges and world's finest materiale, workman-ents. ship and principles of design, and
cer-
....
in the knowledge that their pro- Known as the KarrierWoo "
ધ ducts are atcond to none 13
model, this type of chassis incor- tain British makers of commercialporates a 30/48 h.p. four cylinder motor vehicles have, for a number | engine, an eight-speed gearbox, and of years, been fully alive to the worm-driven rear axles supported possibilities of foreign and colonial at either end of twin semi-elliptic trade.
#prings which are free to swivel on A central fulcrum-bracket attached Apart from the fact, therefore,
to the frame. Designed to carry that these army now produce vehi- eles specifically designed for service net loads of two tans across coun verseas, their products have taken y or three tons on made reads
when it can also draw a two-ton part in arduous and oft-time peri- lous expeditions in virgin parts of trailer if required--this vehicle is the Empire in order to prove to mounted on 36 in. x 8 in. pneuma. tie tyres, and its ability to traverse the potential buyer the superiority broken ground without detriment to of British machines, and also to demonstrate the possibilities of its own mechanism is truly remark motor transport in territories where hitherto the operation of commer- cial vehicles was either intbought ol, or considered impossible.
Adverse Criticism.
$
able..
Two Lorries.
Two machines of this type took part in what was, undoubtedly, the grentest *pioneer" journey ever attempted with commercial motor
After all, it is a intter of little congratulation for any motor vehi | vehicles, ele to give service where adequate Toads exist, but the test
We refer to the successful Mac, when the same vehicles are requir- Robertson Expedition which last ed to undertake excursions into year travelled around Anstralia-a areas where formerly no transport | distance of approximately 11,000
comen
never
Personnel of the Expedition.
Before referring to some of the trying, yet interesting, episodes of the journey it should be stated that the personnel of the expedition comprised twelve members, under the leadership of Mr. W. Dunker: ley, who had charge of a previous expedition across Australia in 1923, and "the six-wheel vehicles-named "Burke and Wills," after the famous explorers who set out, but failed to cross the continent of Australia in 1881-were fitted with bodies specially constructed to necammodate petrol. dil and water tanks, along with lorry apares, wire- less transmitting and receiving ap paratus, cinematograph machines, rifles, stretcher beds, cooking uten. sils and all the various parapher talia required for a trip of this description, whilst the route taken was from Melbourne westwards to
OMB.
sand was encountered in such targe quantities that it took five days to cover 300 miles, whilst one day, owing to hard going, only 15 miles
is no bottom to sand of this nature, Press was made. Literally, there and it was here that the foresight of carrying 50 ft. stripe of cocoanut matting was rewarded. The use of these artificial tracks, although tedious, was worth while, inasmuch as bad sections up to six miles in length
mastered without whap or damage to the vehicles, though one cannot help thinking how the difficulties of the party would have been mitigated had end- less oreeper tracks of the type now supplied for use under these ex- treme conditions-been available. -
were
The crossing of the Burdekon River in Queensland fully proved the capacity of the six-wheelers. No heavy truck had previously "minde" the crossing, but after a
At one place just outside Proser- pine it was necessary to passe under a railway bridge only ft high from the roadway Naturally the latter had to be dug away to allow safe passage for the trucks, a layer of earth 2 ft. deep baving to be removed.
Strange Coincidence,
It was a strange coincidence that when nearing Melbourne on the day of their return, the expection
-travel stained and covered with
the dust of every State in the Com monwealth-halted for a short time on the Sydney road just at the par ticular spot from which the ill. fated explorers, Burke and Wills, started out sixty-eight years ago.
All were unanimous in the view that the journey had been a won-
at journey-covered average rate of 500 miles per week- the only replacements made were a while few boke and springs,
Burke "the leading truck never start to finish. had its oylinder head removed from FOR A FAMOUS, RAILWAY.
Considering the loads carried and the surfaces negotiated, the six- wheelers were unexpectedly light on tyres-Australia-made Dunlops- and thanks to the arrangements made by the Shell Oil Company, no trouble was experienced with fuel of petrol for the whole journey hav supplies, the average consumption ing worked out at three miles (or 42 too-miles) to the gallon.
Borrowing the words of Sir S. Morell, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, who received the party on their re- turn:-
"The expedition proved the suitability of the six-wheeler for Australian conditions, and the fact that the vehicles were able to arrive on time at practically every part of the route, is a triumphant justification of Bri- tish methods of motor manufac turc.
The Löndón, Midland & Scottish Railway, who are at present go- ing in very largely for road trans- port, have recently placed an order. with the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., of Glasgow, for 10 of their Viking coaches. Two of these are of the bonnet type, seating 28 pas sengers, the remaining eight being of Overtype construction, with scats for 31.
It will be recollected that the Albion Viking Six embodies an effi- cient six-cyclinder engine rate at 38 h.p., but actually developing over 00. Albion Viking coaches are, of course, very popular throughout the country.
Your Goods
Will
Get There!
It's a favourite
with women
CHEVROLET
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WHEN YOU SEE this New Chevrolet, Madam, you will understand why it has met with instant favour with women drivers in all parts of the world. Fisher body craftsmen have provided not only good looks-bat laxurious comfort and reinements that have heretofore been obtainable only in higher priced cats.
WHEN YOU SIT at the big, handsome wheel and feel how easy it is to guide the ear at your slightest command-how smoothly the clutch works-how easily and surely the four wheel brakes respond to a slight pressure of your toe-how conveniont. the gear shift lever ia-.. How smoothly the gears mesh-you'll be provided with further evidences for the unprecedented popularity of the New Chevrolet among women *like yourself,
AND WHEN YOU DRIVE it and note the tremendous power and flashing acceleration and speed at your instant call, you'll want to dara it.
And when this car provides as well such a revelation in economy of purchase and upkeep is it any wonder that it is such a favourite? May we take you for a ride to-day ?
The Outstanding Chevrolet of Chevrolet History
"Ready for Delivery,"
TOURER...G. $790. SBADAN... G. $980.
THE
HONGKONG HOTEL GARAGE
ROADSTER...G. 8790. 11 TON TRUCK CHASSIS...G: $755.
Tel. No. C. 4759-
The New Chevrolet Coach upholstered in blue Corduroy.
25, Queen's Road Central,
Perhaps no factor in modern business is of more importance than assured delivery of the goods.
1
If you transport by motor van or lorry, your best assurance of deliver- ies on schedule, so far as your tyres » are concerned, is to fit Goodyear Pneumatic Tyres.
They are made strong and active- strong to resist the troubles that impair ordinary pneumatic tyre to sustain. performance; active, scheduled "speeds.
Their Bodies are thewed and sinewed -with extra-elastic. extra-durable SUPERTWIST Cord, developed and perfected by Goodyear to meet the specific requirements of present-day carriage on pneumatics.
Their tread is the powerful, slipless All-Weather Tread, famous for trac- tion and safety in any going.
For punctual motor transport, fit reliable Goodyear Paeumatic Tyres.
GOOD YEAR
.9-28-29
¡DISTRIBUTORS:
ALEX. ROSS & CO. (China), Ltd.
Prince's Building, 2nd Floor..
Telephone: C. 27.
HONG KONG
Kowloon Service Station. Telephone:K: 1486,