AUSTIN CARS" AND ACTIVITIES
FROM
HONG G KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, "APRIL 25, 1933
SPARKS
FROM THE PLUGS
THE AUTOCAR
SOME QUESTIONS!
OF LONG AGO
* 4 I
since pneumatic tyres will NEW STYLE OF BODYWORK never be of any use to us country
practitioners during the months-April 29, 1800,
Several interesting items of news may be recorded in regard to Aus- tin cars and Austin activities. In
the first place, a new and attractive style of bodywork is now nyatiable
winter
Regarding Hilman and
14
Humber Cars
Below is a selection of technical and other maintenance queries re- ceived from owners of Humber and Hillman cars. Perhaps there is a little matter about which you have been troubled?
Question.
Annoying Rattle..
Motor Notes From Great
Britain
FOR CAMPING IN KENYA
A SOUND-PROOF CAR
firm. The test aroused consider- A car of considerable interest to able interest and, when the British Overseas motoriste will shortly be car won, an important order was shipped from London to its new
in Kenya, who is res immediately placed by a firm which owner had hitherto dealt exclusively with ponsible for some of the outstand cars from the U.S.A.
ing features in the design of the, body and the equipment,
ployed, since October last sales have exceeded by over 7600 those for the previoua winter), large new for the Ten-Four chassis; it is a four-seated cabriolet with a top extensions are being made to the that can be completely folded back factory at Longbridge, Birming
ham. The new buildings will have "I own a 1999 14-h.p. Hillman in fine weather, or fixed only half-
a floor area of nearly 100,000 sq. Seagrave Sportsman Coupé and open to give the effect of a sun-
ft. and will cost between £40,000 am troubled with a little irritat- shino roof. There are two wide doors giving easy access to both and £30,000. This is the fifth large, ing vibration and rattle in B3th front and rear seats; the rear pas-extension of the Austin factory the gear lever and the steering try hn's progressed amazingly make, against competitora from keeping out the heat of the tropical sergers' accommodation is of gen since 1927, amounting in all to an column. erous dimensions both as to legroom area of half a million sq. ft., and
'involving An expenditure and width. Behind but integral with the body is a roomy compart ment for luggage. The price is only £108, which figure includes the de luxe équipment found other models.
•
Winter Sales.
on
Next, it is satisfactory to learn that, following a record winter's Bales of Austin cars (with a staff of nearly 14,000 persons fully em- (Continued on next Column).
£280,000.
a
The third item of Austin news is that the company has invaded", the Canadian market in real earn est. Keen distributors have been appointed in most of the leading Canadian cities, and in some areas a lively demand has already been experienced. A full range of mo- dals will be kept available to ful- fil distributors' requirements, and adequate arrangements for service, have been made.
THE NEW
AIR-FLIGHT
PRINCIPLE TYRES
BY
FISK
MEANS MORE
mileage
Agents:
A SUPER-TYRE WITH NO COMPETITORS.
Sole Distributorė :--
GILMAN & CO., LTD.
Telephone 28011.
Hong Kong Bank Building.
LODGE
HADE IN ENGLAND
LODGE
LODGE
The
ACE
_of
PLUGS
DODWELL & Co., Ltd.
A VIRILE INDUSTRY A host of very interesting and, at the same time, encouraging in- formation is contained in the Bri- tish Motor Number which The Times recently issued, and that
Incidentally, Singers secured a paper sums up the situation very aptly when it said in its editorial remarkable triumph in the New columns that no bettor tonic for Zealand Reliability Trials, which faint hearts could well be imaginare particularly severe. The first, class were won by cars of this ed." For the British motor indus- second and third places in the open the last few years in the fact of "I have tried tightening up the the gravest difficulties; more cars America, France and Italy. nut on the wheel end of the steer have been produced, the sales of ing column as recommended in new cars has been maintained at a your hand book, but without im-high level and export trade has provement. The handbook does not very definitely begun to move in appear to give any information as the right direction. to whether any adjustment, or damping means, is embodied for the gear lever shaft. Will you please suggest any possible reme diss 7"
Hornchurch.
Answer.
G. D. S.
i
With reference to the rattle you are experiencing with the steering column, in all probability it is due to the fact that slight ray axists between the bearing at the top of the controls and the steer ing column. The only way to over- come thin is to release the controls.. "om the bottom of the column and pull them out slightly. Having dore this, brass foil can be wrap- ped around the bearing at the top of the column, thus making the controle a better fit.
Largely due to the enterprise of certain manufacturers in showing their cars at Exhibitions on the Continent, the European market has made very great strides in the recent years. Probably the Rolls Royce Co. have exhibited more often abroad than any other British concern.
Last season the Standard Motor Co. achieved a record in their ex- ports, while the first five months of the current season have seen a still further increase.
"THE PROOF OF THE
PUDDING"
For some years there has been a certain prejudice against British cars because it was said by foreign competitors that they were poor climbers.
EXPORT PROGRESS ·
Quite recently, orders for Talbot cars were received from such varied Overseas places as Paris, Teneriffe, (N.Z.), Johannesburg, Gisborne Oporto, Sydney and Melbourne.
Actually, the Talbot works have been working double shifte since Christmas and have a large volume of advance orders booked. The number of men employed has in- creased by over 70 per cent. in the last 12 months, and steps are be- ing taken to increase the output still further.
The same story is to be heard at the Actes works of the Ham- mond Pump and Equipment Co., | where the employment of three shifts and still further extensions to the works are under considera- tion. The automatic electric pet- rol pump which made its first pub- lic appearsice at Olympia last autumn is selling well, a number of having already been installed in
Failing this, the rattle may be due to the wearing of the felt bear,' ing between the stationary column and the column which roustes with The significance of such a state-some of the most up-to-date. gar- the wheel. To rectify this it willment in no mountainous a country ages in various parts of the coun
Switzerland can be imagined. | try. Just before the recent Geneva Show, therefore, the report was pumps and equipment for Bombay. Recent export orders include challenged and a. Singer car was Madras, New Zealand, Trinidad, set up in a climbing match against Demerara and Albania. a model of a famous American
bh necessary to remove the steering as
wheel, withdraw the collar from the stationary column, and fit ow felt bearing. below this..
In regard to the rattle in the gear lever, on later models a spring as fitted between the aluminium arm carrying the gear lever and the manner of the body. If you get into touch with the factory: mentioning MODERN MOTORING.
you can.
Question,
Burned" Cut-outs.
I have a Humber Saipe (1900), and since I have owned this I have had to buy two new cut-outs. The previous ones have burned out...J should be obliged if you can give me, any reason for this.". Lindfield, Sussex." Answer.
A. B.
STARTING THE YEAR WELL
SINGER CARS AND HILL CLIMBING
Since its introduction at the Olympia Motor Show, in, London The only ocurrance which can last October, the new Singer Nine cause a cut-out to burn out is has been going from success to suc- when the points are closed during cess în reliability trials and has the time the juamo is not charg-shown its prowess against models ing.
of many other makes. This Nine has always been notable for its bill-climbing qualities, but still further power has been built into the 1833 engine.
In the recent British R.A.0.
As the cut-out is a sealed instru- ment, nothing can be done to as sist you in this respect except by calling at the nearest Lucas Ser- vice Station. On the other hand, provided the seal is unbroken you should have no difficulty, whatever Rally, in which 340 cars took part, in claiming replacement cut-outs under Mesurs. Lucas's guarantee. It is, however, most important that the seal of the cut-out should re- main unbroken.
to quote the words of The Motor, "collectively, the numerous Singer Nine sports models deserve loud praise; lively in acceleration and stable in the braking tests, they Incidentally, that the points added yet a further laurel to their should close at the wrong time is run of successes in competitions a most rare occurrence-unless the this season." Individually come cut-out has been interfered with by outstanding performances were put some unauthorised person breaking up; F.R. Spikins, for instance, the seal.
was second in his class in the rond section and eliminating tests, won his class in the coachwork compe
Aluminium Cylinder Heads.
Question.
I should welcome your opinion tition, besides capturing the Daily
as to the advantages or disadvan- Telegraph Trophy for the best per among starters from tages of fitting an aluminium al-formance
loy cylinder head to a Hillman London, irrespective of class. Then Minx Saloon. I cannot help but again, F.C. Rolfe, who was daly think that if one were necessary
1 point behind Spikins in his clace.
the car makens would have fitted won the Leamington starting point same, even at a little extra cost to prize. the owner.
"N.B.-I do not wish for a high er speed than 45 m.p.h."- Birmingham. Answor.
A. GU
It will be remembered that in the London-Exeter Run, held under|| most difficult, road conditions, oloven cars of this type were en tered and of these 10" received ́a For anyone who wants the very premier award. Before this, in the last ounce of preformance out of London-Gloucester trial, 5 Binger an engine as aluminium head may entrants were awarded silver cupa be of advantage as its greatest for 99 per cent. marks, while, the conductivity tends to keep the com- remaining entrant qualified for a bustion space cooler, thus a higher bronze medal, Still more recently, compression ratio can be used with in the Colmore Cup trials out any corresponding disadvan- Committee Team Prize was gained tage in the way of roughness of by thred Nines, and the Rhode Cap the engine.
award in the same competition for The disadvantage of an alumi- the best performance of cars under nium head it that it has to be very 1100 cc. was won by A. Langley. carefully handled when it is being Of the 10 Singer cars entered for tightened down, otherwise it will the trial, 7 won first class, 2 second distort and prevent a leakproof class awards and 1 a third class joint being obisinadaat-dz-garkot award.
In view of your postscript, there would be absolutely no advantage in your fitting an aluminium alloy head to your car. Perhaps wo
the
The death has occurred of Bri
should make it clear at this point gadier-General Conway Jenkins,
that we have had no experience of an aluminium head fitted to the "Minx."
appointed chairman ol Motors Hé wakill onlý
roof
a hinged table is fitted to the back of the front seats and the rear quarters of the car accommodate two cupboards containing bottles, glasses, teacups, etc. Three more lock-up cupboards are provided in the driving compartment, while a special container for a store of oil on tour has been arranged under the rear flooring.
Ample room for four people to tour in comfort, together with ac- commodation for 4 large suitcases, has been achieved by fitting a short 4-door Hooper saloon on a long
By employing rubber floors and 12ft. Gin. Rolls-Royce chassis, and, a felt lined roof, the interior of the in order to obtain maximum að saloon has been made sound-proof,hesion for the driving wheels, the
extreme rear of the car. the
assiste materially in while, of course, the insulation of two spare wheels are carried at the'
sun. For camping purposes, the car can be transformed into a Air Vice-Marshal A. E. Boston, comfortable sleeping compartment CB., C.MG., D.8.0., A.F.G., bas for two, marely by folding down, been elected a director of D. Na- the back squab of the rear seat pier and Son, Ltd., the sero engine and moving the cushion forward; manufacturers.
INSIST ON
Agents:
RIV
For Automobiles and Industrial
Mechanism
Dodwell & Co., Ltd.
A.P.B.I.
TRUST A THORNYCROFT With Your Transport
DEAL DIRECT
THORNYCROFT
SIX-CYLINDERED
COACHES & OMNIBUSES
Q
MOTOR VEHICLES
Pioneer Manufacturers of Commercial Motor Vehicles
Full Range of Spares carried in Hong Kong and Shanghất,
4 or 6 Wheels
4 or 6 Cylinders
30 Cwt. to 10 Ton Loads
20 to 70 Passengers
JOHN L. THORNYCROFT & CO., LIMITED
Pioneer
TEL: 56752,
TRUST A THORNYCROFT WIth Your TraNSPORT