Page
ROUND THE CLOCK BY CAR.
THE BEST TIME TO MOTOR.
WHAT AN ENGLISH OWNER
THINKS.
Which is the best time to motor i for enjoyment!
This question has been put to by five correspondents. Two suggest the early morning and three the night, but none gives a hint as to what is meant by "motoring en. joyment "the enjoyment of a long journey, touring or taking short pleasure trips.
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS TUESDAY, JULY 12, 1932.
SPARKS
FROM THE PLUGS
anywhere, and you will come back atingle with a pleasure rarely ex perienced in any other sort of mu-j toring.
In the moonlight, last week, 1] went, by crazy winding ways, in
NEW DIESEL ENGINE.
SPEED AND LOW FUEL CONSUMPTION,
ROAD TESTS.
OF 1932 MODELS.
THE 10-H.P. ROVER.
The Chassis.
The chassis frame" is unusually strong for a vehicle of this typo and weight, and is of a size which enables the use of spacious body- work. The wheelbase of the car is sft Bin, and its track 4ft 'n. It should also be noted that there is an ample ground clearance of 81 inches. The model, which was tested has a three-speed gear box of or- dinary design, but it is understood
which will appeal to those seeking bility is of a high order, and om economy of upkeep and. which will a level road there is no difficulty at the same time by its looks and at all in creeping along smoothly Performance suggest a model of me- and quietly at four or five m.p.h. dium dimensions. The pinted in top gear, and then picking up radiator, with its central beading again, quickly without any need for and low-set.filled cap, increases the gear changing. Another most com. mendable feature of the engine 'is that it does not appear to have any impression of size.
The accuracy of the speedometer having been checked, the car was taken to National Park, where it. was first tested on Artillery Hill. The climb was made from a stand-
Eighty miles an hour from an a little car through Surrey, by engine doing sixty miles to the Cobham, Bookham, Leutherhead gallon of fuel is the claim of Mr. and Effingham to Leith Hill, Woot-C. L. Cummins, an American mo
The 10-hp. 1032 model of the
The recording instruments are ten Hatch and Dorking, and home ter engineer, for a new six-cylinder Rover is a type of car which should
neatly grouped in a central panel. periods of vibration or "flat sputa" again. I was on roads as familiar Diesel power unit which he is de-excite considerable interest. It in
in its whole range of speed. to me as my home road, through veloping for use in private cars. an illustration of a trend of de
The instruments include a clock,
Road Tests. daylight motor-cycling journeys of This, he said recently, weighs only sign which should appeal to no
speedometer, oil pressure and pe the past, yet I was driving in a 650lb, and though it develops 60 torists who have become accustomed that future shipments of the 10-trol gauges, and an ammeter. The h.p. 1939 type will be equipped with driving lights are also controlled new land- black, green and silver b.p. at 2.500 revolutions per minute, to a high standard of performance, mosaic, made by the moon's beams can be mounted in a chassis of but who also demand a moderate four-speed gear boxes, having a from the dashboard switch. Spark
average sizo, and the spotlight, with wild wood-
Mr. Cummins, who has been tour-price, combined with low costs of "silent" third. In the case of the and throttle control levers are land creatures peeping from cun-ing Europe with a four-cylinder maintenance on the "baby" scale. three-speed box the ratios are, top mounted on either side of the pillar
British manufacturers were the 5.4 to 1, second 9.8 to 1, and low just below the steering wheel. The ing start on the lovel over a course Diesel car with which at Daytona The set up a Dissol record of 103,75 ning hidchoics, the gentle murmur-
of 1.1 mile, and with the exception ing of rills, the lawing of disturbedm.p.b., told me that in 4,000 miles pioneers of the "baby" car, and 10.5 to 1. Transmission of power latter is pleasant to handle, for its cattle, and the "plop" of fish as running he had averaged forty-they have now shown similar fors to the rear axle is carried out by spokes are made of vulcanitecovered
of one momentary change; into low one passed over rustic bridges. three miles to the gallon. With an sight and perception in evolving fully-enclosed propeller shaft, flexible steel, and this gives it a gear, was ascended in second, the
ordinary car of similar power na- But while the moon enhances the ing, petrol the fuel consumption models which are destined to stimu- which is supported by a central resiliency which should be appre
bearing.
cinted on a long run. While only average speed for the distance stat beauty of the scenery, I think would have been about 19 m.p.g. late further the export of British
ed being 34.1 m.p.h.... a tall person could quibble as thei star He claims to have a much simpler products. During the last faw Semi-elliptic springa are used at darkish night, with not
On the second hill climb, from showing your headlamps boring a method of fuel injection than the i :
white way through the gloom of pumps in general use in Europe, years Australian motorists have the front, but those at the rear are legroom provided in the ear, itj the road, is every bit as good-is and to have got rid of the exhaust appreciated the value and useful: quarter-elliptic. It is strange that seemed that, without in any way Audley to the National Park rail- some ways better, for then eyes and smoke nuisance, Every rise, every piece of gorer, heather and bracken seems to have a music of its own, with the wind moaning its way to the sen on the telegraph wires, and the weirdly forceful night sounds of nature.
Early morning is best for those who want to enjoy the beauties of the countryside. Then there is little traffic, and one finds the quiet that in, in itself, a tonic.
For the romantically inclined, after sunset is the best time. If
A
1
way station, the car maintained à
you wish to experience the pleasure. Bra combine to create the charm. One object of his visit to Enginess of the "baby" model, but in some motorists do not realise how encroaching unduly on the dicky fast and more or less uniform rate
of travelling fast on a long run at the helm of a good car, there is nothing like the hours between 10 p.m, and 8 a.m.
Dusk Dangers.
One period of the day I will not drive is if I can possibly avoid it-that is the half hour of dusk before night really falls. It is a period of distorted views and dis tances, with added danger, every- where. I prefer to motor till the suu has set and then enjoy the wonderful country sights and tints from the garden of some old-world inn til dinuer is served.
me the wonderful summer nights of But for complete enjoyment, give : Britain between now and Septem❘ bor. If your ear is more to you than just a means of transportation. then, after dinner some night, chopaea known place that may
have pleasant memories, or just go
A Good Climber,
;
space, that the front seat might|
regard to that matter can lie met.
Although even when a start
is
made from cold, the engine runs quictly and responds alertly to the
11
accelerator, it is not until it hasj
of travel, the distance of one being
holding qualities of the car ware most, noticeable, for it, so to speak,
#!
sat down at the sharp corners, and had no inclination to side. slip.
Acceleration from 10 to 30 m.p.h.
land is to investigate with Mesara certain quarters there has remain-efficient a well-designed quarter Wakefield the subject of lubrication ed a definite prejudice against com-elliptic spring suspension can be, have been set back a little further covered at an average of 25 m.p.l.
The distributors state that this for Diesel engines.
paratively diminutive vehicles but a ride in the new Rover should! whose flexibility in top gear was convince them that from the standpoint has not been overlooked, and 1 During both these climbs the road
that all individual requirements in on the worst pitch-and a 1 in 8 not infrequently demonstrably in-points of comfort and road hold- During Whitsun I had an oppor: hill on third speed without drop ferior to that of foreign makes of ing ability at high speed it is most tunity of testing a car which, Iping below 18 m.p.h, on the steepest larger engine capacity. A timely satisfactory. Four shock absorbers think, is one of the best in the Aus bit. The third (twin top) gear is appreciation of that opinion has are provided. The braking system tiu range of models. I refer to the possibly on the low side, but it is
twelve six," four-speed gearbox, decidedly useful in traffic and on doubtless been a stimulus to the accessible and devoid of any com with the silent third, de luxe saloon, hills.
British manufacturer, with the re-
plications, On each gear ratio the car has sult that 1932 models of well-known a lively performance, and it is a pleasure to drive it at 40-46. The makes seem to have been designed springing, with Luvas hydraulic specifically to appeal to buyers in practical features Phock absorbers, is satisfactory over the dominions. much above the average. Braking bad going without full load. Rid and suspension are of outstanding ing in the rent I was struck by the Of such types the 10-h.p. lover the efficient way in which the short: In driving I was impressed by the though the nominal rating of its quality. One excellent feature is ample leg and head room provided. is an excellent example, for, al- stroke engine propels the car in top simplicity of the controls; the well gear up hills."
spaced pedals; the comfort of the engine suggests a "baby" type, sicer wheel and driving position, it is in fact, a flexible and speedy and the commanding driving view obtained. The stability of the car model, which offers a roominess of on sticky going was unusually good, accommodation and dignity of ap- pearance which will fully hold. their own in comparison with lar- ger types.
This de luxe model has interior equipment, soft upholstery, seat comfort onl
With three passengers it steadily climbed a 1 in 10 gradient-nos dropping below 23 miles an hour
(Continued on next Column)
MOTORDOM PRESENTS
For Service;
FIAT GARAGE: 350, Hennessy Road, TIL 24821.
THE NEW 1932
FIAT
21e 6 cylinder
522¢
6 cylinder
It's a splendid car for the money as you'll find on the road-a car to be proud of. Built on lithe, graceful lines with a motor that has "guts its a wonderful buy at the price.
PRICED FROM $2,850.00
AGENTS:
A. GOEKE & CO.
SPARE PART DEPARTMENT:
CHINA BUILDING.
TELEPHONE: 22221.
Showroom!
FIAT GARAGE: 950, Hennessy Road, TEL 24821.
Details of Engine.
A consideration of the road tests described below will show the high efficiency of its small, but lively, four-cylinder engine. This power unit, which is rated at 9.8 h.p., has a capacity of 1185 c., the boro and stroke being respectively 63mm. and 95mm. It is an overhead valve job, the valves being operated by push rods from the camshaft, which is situated in the crankcase, and is driven by chain from the crank shalt This engine, develops 25 b.h.p. at its effective peak speed.
In a 30-mile run one gained the impression that under normal elima- tie conditions the cooling system, which is by means of pump and fan, is almost too effective, for it takes a long hard climb to warm up the engine to its best working temperature and to make it capablo of the antisfactory performances re- ferred to. That is 'n fault on the right side, and doubtless during the winter season the motorist who uses this model might permissibly disconnect the fan belt when the vehicle is used only for short jour-
neys.
The lubrication system is of a positive type, all the main bear. ings, big ends, and overhead valve gear receiving their lubrication um [der pressure from a gear-typa pump. The manufacturers state that under Lordinary conditions the consump tion of engine oll is as low as from 1000 to 1800 miles a gallon. The
petrol system, in conformity with
the general design of the model,
is that of a large car, for the main tank is housed at the rear of the chassis, supply to the carburettor being carried out by means of a small vacuum tank. Another, com mendable feature is the accessibility of the main tank; which is pro- vided with an amply long pipo, ex«. tension, which enables one to re- plonish it from a tin without any need for a funnel. Battery anți coil igaition is used.
had a few miles' running in which on the level, in top gear, took 15 Bodywork Described, to warm up that its flexibility and seconds, and in second gear 0 45 power output show to their best conda. A measured course of 100 The roadster, two-senter model, advantage. Then, indeed, the per- speed of 10 m.p.h., in il seconds, yards as covered in top gear, from is an attractively neat type, with formance of the Rover, as snown sy.. the speedometer recording 26 m.p.h well-balanced lines, which success- the details 'given below, becames at the finish. A similar test in
manufacturers of offering a car traffic, one soon finds that its flexi fully interpret the policy of the surprising. Driving the car through conds and 31 m.p.b.
I second gear-gave a result of 10 e-
*Continued on Page 2.)
TRUST A THORNYCROFT WITH YOUR TRANSPORT
DEAL DIRECT
THORNYCROFT
SIX-CYLINDERED
COACHES & OMNIBUSES
MOTOR VEHICLES
Pioneer Manufacturers of Commercial Motor Vehicles
Full Range of Spares carried in Hong Kong and Shanghai,
4 or 6 Wheels
4 or 6 Cylinders
30 Cwt. to 10 Ton Loads
20 to 70 Passengers
JOHN 1. THORNYCROFT & CO., LIMITED,
Pioneer Building, Nathan Road, Kowloon,
TEL. 56752.
TRUST A THOrnycroft WITH YOUR TRANSPORT