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HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY FEBRUARY
932.
SPARKS FROM THE PLUGS
BRITISH CARS ABROAD.
WHY ENGLAND FAILED TO OBTAIN FIRST HOLD OF THE OVERSEAS MARKETS.
THE SKILL AND ENERGY WITH WHICH MANUFAC.
TURERS HAVE SET TO WORK: LETTERS OF
APPRECIATION IN PROOF OF THE SUIT. ABILITY OF THE MODERN BRITISH CAR ..
FOR THE ROUGHEST WORK.
1
in the distant countries of the NOVEL “BOOM” IN world.
USED U.S. CARS..
The Problem.
Then came the problem presentoJ by the R.A.C. rating. Whot was to be done about that Should it be abandoned? To do so would be voluntarily to throw away the best form of protection for the British) car maker, who had designed his engine primarily for economical line in Great Britain, while his foretga competitors had not Wanlal is
be wall simply to copy the big, comparatively ineficient engines of the foreign" car manufacturṇas' and reserve the cars so fitted for sa port only! That plan had main disadvantages.
There was a time, in years gone upted to our own roads. They were by, when the British-built motor car efficient, elegant (for those days), was said to be unsuitable for use economical in fuel pousumption, in the Dominions and Colonies and and speedy. Their shortcomings ro in foreign lands. This allogation, Inted to sturdinces of constructio naturally enough, was sedulousryan essential for Colonial coud fostured by non-British car manu- | biona"-suspension, wooling and i would he distinctly limited, and fapturors, not a few of whom sue ability to pull hard at low speeds ceeded during the War years, from on top gear. This last named was 1914-1015,, in entrenching themselves specially important, because the Armly in markets which our progersons motorist had, as a rule, occupation in other directious fore been trained to drive a large-engin- ed us to abandon fer the durationed cur on which gear changing was of hostilition. When our own fue seldom necessary. There was also torios were free to resume produc. the supremely important matter of tion of peace-time commodities we rvice facilities for British cars in foreign countries. It is scarcely an exaggeration to say that hus a brief ien years ago these were non
found that our rivals had dug, Hindenburg
T
and that 1 Line Awaited our assault,
But the boom followed the armi | existent.
It was immediately realised that the numbers of such cars for which there would be a possible demand their production costs would, of course, be correspondingly high Furthermore, what special induce ment would there be for an over- seas motorist to buy a British car if we could offer him simply a copy of a fornigh production 1
Some compromise had to be adopted, and it was found in great ly improving the performance of the types of engino which word already popalar in Gront Britain.. The little follows”—affectionately vicu, and for a year or so Britisn So the lenders of the British mo know the baby cars--could bu cars were in such demaid at hous! car industry put on their thinking left to look after themselves: the that there would have been few for caps. First they obtained opinions abouishing reliability and economy despatch overseas oven had they from abroad: then they went, or had already endeared them to over been required for export. Then sent to find out whether those "suas purchasers. They had their came the "slump :"
demand in opinions were justified, and anally limitations, but their sphere of Circus Britain fell or, and our they got down to work. How suc utility was so wide that already manufacturers began to consider cessful they have been in their up they were in demand throughou seriously the possibilities of market hill struggle is evident from tha and beyond our Empire. beyond our own shores. They were almost minuealous manner in which! The rise to popularity in Great faced with a big problem pro- they have steadily forest way in a Britain of the medium-powered blem of which the magnitude was the very heats of strongholds a cylinder car proved the most valt first appreciated--and, fidently regarded as well-nigh im able card in the British manuine time was needed to formulate pregnable by their foreiga rivals,turer's hand. The large number re- plan of campaign which would!
Certain obvious steps could be, quired by motorists at home meant have a chance of success against and were, laken without unnece-low production costs whether for rivals who for years past had made sary delay. Frames were stiffened, the British or the overseas marke, very careful study of the re springs were improved out of aliand this, snubled British car maker quirements of car owners in Aus knowledge. cooling systems were materially to reduce the differenes tralia, New Zealand, South Africa, rendered adequate for tropical and in selling prices which had pravi. India, and countries beyond the semi-tropical conditions, pressed ously given such a big advantage boundaries of the British Empire steel bodywork was adopted, about American rivale.
which eliminating the roubles British wood-construction bodis, Steadily the oversens demand for had encountered owing to climatic British productions increased, and vicissitudex, and a real start, was
not..
Used to Power,
Our British cars, designed with the R.A.C. rating in mind-a ras
ing which. discouraged the big-bore engine that could easily develop considerable power at a low rate of revolution-were admirably ad
made towards the ultimate goal a ensuring that the ante of British motor cars should be in the hands af reliable firms of sound standing
Overseas Demand,
i
BIG PRICES OFFERED
IN BRITAIN.
REAPING A HARVEST UNDER
RATE OF EXCHANGE
Every Englishman, who owns an American (or Canadian) motor-car ahould now change it for a British Ons at a proft.
FIAT SCHEMES.
EXISTING MODELS
CONTINUED.
NEW SPORTS FOUR-SEATER
SIX.
It is the policy of the Fiut concern not to introduce new modela seasonally but, to incorporate im provements as they are deemed. Never before, writes the London, desirable. Thus, although particu Morning Post Motoring Correars are now available of the firm's pondent, has such an opportunity programme for the Show' and 1932, occurred of receiving so high an there are no outstanding changes in allowance for American cars from existing cars. the British motor dealer.
Values have increased 23 per cent. by the fall in the pound sterling.
While the pound sterling rape sente, about 14. on the Amsterdam" exchange weekly visits are being paid to London by Dutch motor dealers, who come here to buy all the second-hand American cars
The 10-30 h.p. four-cylinder model, known as Type 514, and the smallest ear of the range, which has been on the market for some con siderable time, was brought out earlier in the year in a de luxe fpım and now undergoes no further For the past two months Euston change. The modification refaëro road, London, the centre of the to were that the equipment was in-
used-chr" trade, has been husy buying up other dealers stocks of creased and the interior finish un old American cars in all parts of proved, whilst, mechanically, the the United Kingdom, and passing engine mounting in the frame was thein on at a profit to Aristerdam
altared, better breathing facilities,
available.
*
Loading Scenes.' `. **** ***
I visited Fenning's Wharf, Car. were provided for the crank caso 30 ron Wharf, Horseferry Wharf, Lions to prevent fumes reaching the Docks and St. Catherine's and interior of the car, the ignition coll six-found scoond-hand U.S. cars of all was placed in a rebre accessible posi descriptions being loaded into cargo tion, the clutch was altered sligät bonts to be shipped to Amsterdam. ly to give a smoother engagement, From there they are distributed to the Brakes were made more power- other parts of the Netherlands, ful, and rubber bushes were adopt The sales manager of Henlys in od for various bearings so as to formed me that they had sold about reduce to a minimum the need for 100 cars to Holland during the lubricating the chassis with a greas past two months, and also a num-gun. Further, the back axle and ber to Switzerland. Unfortunately springs, as well as the universal the price of petrol has gone up in joints, were modified, and bydraulio the Netherlands this week, so that shock absorbers were fitted, all these the larger American cars, are net points being the result of experi-. selling there quite so well. A
ence, to stabilising what was a new model in its final form,...
At the same time, motor fuel is it did so there was more and still cheap in Holland, and it must The main dimensions may be men.. more encouragement for British also be borne in mind that the tioned, the bore and stroke of the manufacturers to take a chance"Dutch are not themselves motor-car engine being 87X100 min., equivalent in the way of designing cortain manufacturers.
to a capacity of 1,438 c.d, while the models specifically for, export, George Newmany Ltd., continue to the annual tax is £13. It has been On the other hand, Messrs. RA.C. rating is 1.1.b.n, so that welcome every Monday or Tuesday found possible to reduce the prices, a pav of Dutch deniers who buy the figures for the various 10-30 hp. the B.A.. used cars, which this models being as follows. The figures firm have collected, and dopart in parenthesen are the previous home again on the Friday, to re- pricas Two-seater, £10 (90): turn the following Tuesday for four-senter, 2100 (210); two-door another deal.
saloon, £215 (£230): fixed-head Business is brisk." said Messrsaloon Lapt (£943) sunshine Short and Glass, unother firm of saloon, £230 (£250); coppé, Ess dealers in used.cara. "We must
(£330). Wize wheels can now be have sold about 100 second band supplied for £5 extra, instead of 20: Amarican cars to the Dutch motoras formerly, in place of the steel dealera during the past two months. dises that are standard.
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THORNYCROFT
SIX-CYLINDERED
COACHES @ ONMIBUSES
MOTOR VEHICLES
Pioneer Manufacturers of Commercial Motor Vehicles
Full Range of Spares carried in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
4 or 6 Wheels
4
4 or 6 Cylinders
30-Cwt. to 10 Ton Loads 20 to 70 Passengers
JOHN I. THORNYCROFT & CO., LIMITED,
Pioneer Building, Nathan Road, Kowloon.
TEL
56752. TRUST A THORNYCROFT WITH YOUR TRANSPORT
"In fact, so profitable do the
trade there regard this business that even garage mechanics are
The 24-Latre Six.
coming from Holland to London to: Then there is the Model 8, which is a 34-litro six-clinder car,"based. buy one two cars They hope to pay their expenses and make a pro- regarde the engine, upon the pre- Ait while the exchange remains nous, 18-55 h.p. model, but intro- duced as a much improved type in favourable to Amsterdam.
July, being described in The Auto-
is a new type, there are no altera- tions to record. the prices being. 335 for a coachbuilt salom, £346 for a similar car with a sunshine roof, and £125 for a model known as the Royal cabriolet, of which the appearance is particularly attrac
Only American makes of cars wil be bought, because these are ear of July 24. Naturally, as this well servised on the Continent in regard to spare parts, etc., and also they are big cars at low prices, ven after the import duty inte Holland has been paid for them."
Though one may regret that second-hand British cars are not being demanded, Holland, by taking five.
The main features of this modul some three or four hundred of our
are the use of a four-speed gear box second-hand American cars, has re- lieved the used-car market and with silout constant-mesh third opened it wider for selling second-rabic, half-elliptic springe, hydrau hand British built cars to motoriste lic brakes with separate master- in the United Kingdom,
operating cylinders for the front While the Netherländer can buy and back nets, a chassis that is low "sovereign's worth of American for a touring car and is stiffenik second-hand motor car for 14s. in by means of a big shared member England, our dealers will be kept at the centre. As to the interior. busy, but only while this condition leather up-bolstery is used und lasts. Such is the considered opin-bucket-type adjustable front seate ion of the motor industry engaged are Atted. in this business.
Then there is another form of the samo chamis, but with a dropped frame and a radiator that has been retaining in the chassis and coach low ed, carrying a sports four- work all thoso, reffementa dear to sonter body, which will be offered as the heart of the motorist at home, a complete car af 2410. There is s
That this policy as regards me-third type of machine employing. chanical features is sound is un- the 2-litre engine as for the model questionable; indeed, there is over-already mentioned, but with a whelming evidence, to this effect in Donger wheelbase of 10ft, fin,, as tho activities of our principal com compared with the oft. Ijin, on the potitors in oversee markets. other modal, this type being intro- Whereas until recently they were duced specifically for the buyer who offering very large, woolly" en-requires greater accommodation and gines in their cars, they are now a more luxurious finish, but stil! hnatening to follow the British lead needs a reasonably priced car. in sending to the markets of the The general specification world motor cams that are not only similar to that of the short wheel; serviceable but also economical in base sør, bút naturally the inSTORAL maning, coats and maintenance. in wheelbase allows considerably Fortunately, the British manufac-l more body space to be, provided. turer has enjoyed a long and Additional features are that ther valuable training in this respect,mostatically controlled shutters are and he embarks on the next lap of fitted to the radiator, and the in the race with start of which ho strument board is of a different will certainly take full advantage. type. It may be mentioned that in As an example of the increasing this particular body, the back sent goodwill towards British care in is as wide as ein. A five-senter. the overseas markets the sales, in inshine coachbuilt anloon ja avail. South Africa during the first seven able at £386, and open bodies will- months of this your show a boonste he offered on this chassin. '... terable increase over the whole, of A little later there will be an last year, while the proportion of additional chassis with a stil! British caru to all cars imported by longer wheelbase, but with the camu New Zealand, is steadily, increasing, size of angina, designad te varry month by month..
Baven-seater coachwork.
ASSETS
£13,000,000
UT APPOINTMENT
CLAIMS PAID
£40,000,00
GENERAL
12
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