HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1931,
MOTOR NOTES
MORRIS MINOR TWO SEATER.
The two-seater body has ampic roon, the seat is not adjustable, and the upholstery should be dur able; the single-panel windscroon, which has anfety glass, is fixed and has a suction-typu wiper. The grouped instruments are next though not illuminated, the panel A ROOMY BODY AND LIGHT being reesssed somewhat beneath
STEERING.
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE ON HILLS.
There is no question at nil kut that the Morris Minor has firmly established itself as an economiral, lively small car, and now the two ecater, the latest addition to the range in a model that should be appreciated by thom who, prefer.
the scuttle, while on either sido is a useful cubby hole. There are two wide doors, with both outsido and inside handles, the hood in neat, with a good cover, and is easily raised and secured by one- person, there being rigid side cur tains which fill in the space be twen the back portion of the hood fabric and the windscreen so as to make the car really snug in bad Perhaps the most prominent fea-weather. Each side screen, by the
ing the open body, still do not re- quire a four-senter.
Lure of the Minor is the smooth-way, has a hinged, section for van- tilation and for allowing hand
AUTOCAR ROAD
TESTS.
AUSTIN 20" A SOUND
SOLID CAR.
ENGINE BECOMES SMOOTHER AS CAR GAINS SPEED,
In many respects the 20 h.p. six-cylinder Austin occupies a posi- tion entirely its own among mo dern cars. First of all, the afoount
room in the saloon body is ex- optional; exceptional also is the brad room, and be it said that there cms to be a great many people
I really high, who foel cramped in nowadays who want a car which the new style body, and who put no
Deeply Sprung Cushions,
As to the interior, the front seats are separate, have deeply sprung cushions, and are independently adjustable fore and aft. In the. matter of general convenience there. is a roof net for small parcels, maps and so forth, and the back sent has a central armrest which, whon not required; folds out of the way. An unusual point which obviously can be an advantage i that the back seat cushion does not rest directly upon the floor boards, As usual, but is raised, and has branath it a space extending the whole width of the body. Clearly, this space can be utilised for small suit-cases and other luggage it is not desired to carry in the proper box at the back of the car, or in addition to that accommodation,
the same time, the seat cushion has not the effect of being unduly high from the floorboards
Undouptedly, the hand-operated starting motor switch on the in- pedal which used to be standardip rd, simply because if the car is be-- strument board is better than the
ing driven out of its girake first gine is accidentally stopped, as sometimes happens, the starting motor can be brought into opera- tion at once, whereas with a péðul switch the driver. hau to get out gear, than start the engine, then ret into. gear again: and the some
Tiss of the engine, a factor, not signals to be given, and when not particular value on linea which / thing in the morning and the en-
as all easy to obtain with this type of car, which dopends very largely on the ability of the engine to. turn over fast. Another point that night not be expected by these un- tamiliar with the car is that n piced anywhere betweon:40 and 45 m.p.h. on the speedometer on ho quintained without any apparent aign of distress, while the netual maximum is obviously very good indeed.
in use the screams mre carried in
recess behind the hinged squab of the driving seat, where they are well out of the way and are not likely to become scratched or other wise damaged.
reduce head resistance,
Certainly, considering its size and price, this car has a remark- ably comfortable body, from every point of view, and the equipment
Tho spare wheel and also the and Anish generally are extremely thing applies in traffic.
good. Over and above that, this is one of the few cars which has a high cruising speed without pos- sessing anything exceptional as a maximum, which is interesting, since so few onginca romain smooth near their upper limit.
As it is, the Austin engine is another the faster it runs, and o driver falls naturally into a speed that can be anywhere between 35 and 50 m.p.h., over which range the power unit as a whole is both accessible a point that is not in-silent and amooth. Ner from the frequently overlooked. the soures of considerable annoy nnce if it is difficult to get at the tap or if some form of spanner has to be employed in operating it.
It can be
tools are stowed accessibly in the tail, inside the body, that is, and there is a good deal of space left. for luggage. Beneath the bonnet the engine is neat-an effect which is enhanced by the oil-retaining cover that conceals. the overhead valves and has the auxiliaries A thing which is surprising, too, properly accessible. In particular the plugs are easy to get at: it is an view of the engine capacity, is
a simple matter to remove for that the top goar performance is cleaning purposes the restrictor valve through which oil passes to. quito extraordinary. In fact, ono the over-head-valve gear; the dis- of the most satisfactory features tributor and coil and, on the other of all in the performance is the side of the engine, the carburetter, are in good positions, and the way in which the car tackles hills. If the engine speed is kept up rea-drain tap for the radiator is also sonably before a gnaalient is reach ru the average sort of main road hill is taken quite fast, on top: while the performance on second gear, if that ratio is used compar. atively early, will take the car up at a speed little short of amazing. Moreover, the car can be handled en top gear without snatch downA convenient feature is that when to or 7 m.p.h. with the ignition the bonnet is lifted there is a sup. retarded, of course, But, driving port which keeps the side Bap of it in another way, taking advantage properly out of the way of anyone of the fact that 40 m.p.h, can easily inaking adjustments" or, for in be reached on second gear and staner, checking, the, oil level. The still not over-stressing the oil consumption, incidentally, machine, it can be made to hold Bocus to be very low, and it is a its own in a most remarkable way noteworthy point that the ongize with far bigger cars. In other words, one can hurry to very ex llent purpose on the stout-heart ed little Minor.
Powerful Headlights.
lower speeds is the acceleration anything but good, considering the size and weight of the car.
corners-
The suspension, also, is good, being more of the flexible town car. rings type than of the more rigid sports model spring, alboid the amount of sideaway on men on corners taken fast-is in- ru way exeussive. The steering i typical of the Austin design, for thero has always been nothing slightly different in the handling
ways starts very easily indeed, not only when it is warm, but from cold first thing in the morn on Austin wheel as compared ing. The oil fillor is accessible and with that of any other dar. has a soap-type cap, while the fuel.
The
if the scuttle has a quick-action law ratio, makes the big machine. filler op, that orifice also being easy to manœuvre in a confined properly accessible.
pace, and the car is at all times easy to hold on a straight rond, whatever the speed.
dimming
Light Steering. Clutch action is light and the drive takes up progressively, the
The head lights are powerful, throttle works. smoothly, and, the bake pedal only requires light and at 30 mp.h. with all lights on Tressure, the action being decisivo,thore being proper side lamps while the band brake, of which the in addition, though no
dovice is provided-there is a sur lever could be a little nearer for, a driver of average height, will plus of two amperes for. charging purposes, in which connection: it hold the car stationary on
may be mentioned that the dynamo 41 } in
gradient,
in get so as to charge at one of which, by the way, the car can
two rates-either full charge for e restarted without difficulty.
the darker months when the head Steering is extremely light, with a
lamps are used to a greater ox distinct tendency to straighten out
after
tent in relation to the amount of automatically springing is good, and the car daylight running, or half charge
for the summer time, when condithe lever is hold low down than holds the road very well indeed..
tions are less arduous as far as the battery is concerned. Accord-it is it the admittedly more con- ingly the switch has two positions, venient knob is need. When once corresponding respectively to full
+
2
On
corner,
Travel in Luxury Trouble Free-
when Home on Leave, Motorways" recipe for perfect holiday. To be seated in one of the comfortable armchairs of the luxurious" motor Puliman' Saloons, with a window to your- self, touring Europe or the British Isle at your east.. Tours of from two to twenty-five. days duration begin and end-in London, whilst the moderate fees include first-class hotel and steamer accommodation, all· meals, gratuitles, and the services of a courier
Choice of your can be had in France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy. ely cut. We can meet you at Marseilles • if you desire i
Write for Banustfully Illustrated, Breskura też
MOTORWAYS
"44,CRANBOURN ST
LEICESTER SQUARE- LONDON,W.CZ.ING"
Easy Gear Changs. The gear change, also, is typical the make, and at first it is none too easy to ba certain of a quiet change every time, though custom naturally is an efficient remedy, and curiously enough, it is.much easier to feel the gears if
the feel of the gear, has been ob
trined the gear change moems. quite
and half charge rate. The battery in reached for inspection when the front seat cushion has been lifted, normal.
and the chassis is quite reasonably The brakes are good, seem pró well arranged for greasing the various lesser bearings with thegressive in action, are not unduly usual pressure. gun,
violent, and appear to affect each Chromium plating is used for the bright external parts, and, as wheel equally on a wet surface, to detail equipment, there in s
while the hand brake is more effec bumper at the front of the car, itive than its type usually is. and a driving mirror fixed to the right-hand, screen pillar, while good thermometer is fitted on the radiator filler dap. In fact, con sidering the car from the point of view of the averige buyer whỡ want an inexpensive vehicle, re- ally ready for the road, there is very little additional equipment that seems desirable..
(The appearance, too,
As to detail work, the rapidity. of action of the window, winding mechanism is a great boon to any driver who wishes to give hand signals in town but is not anxious to keep the window at his side open ce party open for the purpose,
The luggage container at the back looks well, a sturdy, and is
Semi-Sports Appearance. The Morris Minor pleases, one of a site that is suitable for avor very much indeed because of, ita: willingnces to trekle hard work age suit-cases, with sufficient space equally successfully as a much to spate for the usual collection bigger car, and the value is ob of smaller articles that one has to viously excellent. of the carry in addition to the main acmi-sports type body is good. uggage. The windscreen wiper is though wathetic fonsiderations clectric; there is a quite exception- travo not been regarded as, more ally big cubby hole on the left." important than providing a roomy, band side of the instrument board, practical little ear which is na auit and the instruments themselves are able for the older man who prefers grouped. To a certain extent the an open body ng for the younger wheel spokes at first seem to ob enthusiast. An interesting aspect scure the various dias, a thing to ficcustomed bat the ntspoof day militude towards when
which one becomes mintiture cars is that no longer spielever are they looked upon as something lighting system for the dials, a alightly impractical by reason of small lamp being clipped to the the dimensions, but are taken ab-steering column, is very bright, solutely seriously, as it were, and which has its advantages and dis often in direct competition with advantages, though the latter could"
bulb, green, as is sometimes donc.
See Europie from an Armchair" much bigger and more expensive be overcome by colouring the lamp
cara,
For brake adjustment thors is a single, central hand-wheel dovice, reached beneath the floorboards, for setting the shoes for all four wheels
Lighting System,
At night the head lamps are good, giving an even, wide light to a considerable distanse, and the limming switch is well placed on the steering wheel, With all lights on, moreover, the ammeter shows that it is charging slightly, while the charge during daylight hours is ample, so that there should be to fear of being caught with the accumulator practically empty if the machine is used a great deal
Agents;
EXPERIMENT
WILLIAMS
CRAWLS ROUND HAVING A GOOD TIME, FEELS FULL OF PEP TO-DAY,
WELL, IT DIDN'T HURT" MUCH. FEELS VERY GROWN UP. TO BE STANDING VR WONDERS POES HE DARE LET GO
12-4
- WONDERS IF HE COULDN'T DO SOMETHING INTEREST ING WITH THE LEG OF THE TABLE
LETS 60. TEETERS - PRECARIOUSLY FOR A SECOND. FEELS SORT OF THRILLED
(Copyright, 1930, by The Bell Syndicate, Inc.),
By GLUYAS WILLIAM
HOISTS. HIMSELF UP. KIND OF FUN BEING. "SO HIGH OFF THE"
·FLOOR
LOSES GRIP. AND S03 "DOWN SUDDENLY AND
VERY HARD
THINGS SUDDENLY GET- LOWERS HIMSELF TO VERY WABBLY, ESPECIAL- F2008. IS STILL RATHER LY, HIS LEGS, FEELS PRET- EXCITED BY THE AD- TY GOOD TO CLASP SOME - - VENTURE, BUT IS GLAD THING SECURE AGAIN -FLOOR, DOES NOT. WABBLE
for town work, with the consequent out trouble; and that, after all, continual stopping and restarting is by far the most important fen- Over and above all this, the carture any machine can possibly has made its name simply becauso possess. it can run for a very long time There is no suggestion at all with practically no attention and thint essential quality has been du its work day after day with crificed to reduce price; indeed,
O VION
W. R. LOXLEY & Co..
YORK BUILDING.
Telephone: 22285,
LOOK FOR RED RING
you
Insist on India Super. Tyree, and see that get them. The red ring where wall meets tread
the car can compare favourably. In this respect with many machines of much greater cost, and there is n certain sturdiness, a certain, as "solid" fooling, that con- it were," veys the impression of dumbinity as nothing else in ntle to do.
is a guarantee of quality aud service.
MILES..
THE FINAL TEST
When all is said and done the tyre that the discerning motorist eventually chooses is the one that, answers his demand for yet more mileage....
The best answer t India Super Tyres.
this demand to-day is supplied by
You want super-mileage. We offer you the tyre that gives it. Its service is guaranteed on a generous scale, but in actual practice India Super Tyres outlive their guarantee many times over.
INDIA SUPER
TYRES