MOTORING
SUPPLEMENT
OF
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
SATURDAY, 1st CQTOBER, 1927.
Being The Official Organ of
THE HONGKONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.
CURRENT
COMMENT
TRYING OUT CARS.
Points to Observe.
Automobile dealers have adopted the practice of letting the new car demonstrate itself. They have prospects take out their cars for trials, without the presence of a
Fun O' The Fair.
and such a system effectively oper- ated would do away with the pre-salesman. Members of the Hongkong Assent incessant horn-blowing, and, sociation are notified that they the same time, stop the practice may leave their cars in the Lee of cars driving through a crowd of Gardens Street this afternoon, op. pedestrians. posite No. 1 Police Station, where the Association's patrols will be Motor Cycling, on duty.
Signalling Devices.
That leave much of the informa- tion the prospective owner usually gets from the salesman to be as- certained from the automobile it: self. It means driving it in traffic and on the high road, up hill and down and under all sorts of weather conditions, and finishes with the driver feeling more certain of the car than he would if a salesman told him about it.
owner
It is the opinion of many makers that the fitting of a decompressor on a small lightweight engine is A device is being tested by the unnecessary, and few, therefore, Police, which, if satisfactory, will fit one. But the Triumph Com- probably have to be fitted to all pany hold other views, and consi- But such trials require at least left-hand driven motor vehicles. der that easy starting is as valu-two days of driving. One day This device consists of an arrowable a feature in the small engine should be given over to driving which is electrically operated, as the large. The wonderful case the car under ordinary everyday switch being provided for the pur- with which the 2.77 h.p. Triumph conditions, the kind the pose. The Hon. C. S. P. was seen starts is a feature which has er-meets on his daily founda, driving a car on the Central Police desred it to many a rider who The next day should be devoted Station Compound, and testing the dislikes gymnastics when starting, to a trial in the country, where the system. It is fitted on the bottom and for the woman rider is be-throttle can be opened wide, where of the windscreen on the off side comes a necessity if really com- a steep, long hill may be tried going of the vehicle, and the arrow canfortable use of the machine is to up and coming down, and where the be switched to the right or left as be attained.
effects of a long jaunt may be felt desired, and is easily seen from In the 2.77 h.p. W. De Luxe on the driver and passengers. either the front or rear at quite a Triumph engine, the new decom- considerable distance. At night pressor takes the form of a knob time it is illuminated. The only projecting just above the timing drawback discovered during the gear case on the lefthand side of test was that the drivers of other the engine crankcase." left-hand driven cara coming This knob is the top of a plan see signals readily, and it is thought Ker, the lower end of which is that an improvement would be milled to the form of a stepped made by fitting a smaller device on wedge. When the knob is raised the near side. It is generally ad- by the fingers the exhaust valve mitted that drivers of left-hand rocker spindle, which is spring driven cars cannot give a Batis-loaded, and to which the rocke factory hand signal, and if à suc- is fixed, moves outwards, bringing cessful system of signalling can be the rocker into the path of the evolved, there will be no chance of decompressor cam, which is along. The inlet side the exhaust eam. future misunderstandings.
rocker is unaffected by this move- ment.
from the rear would not be able to
Star Ferry.
A notice has recently appeared warning drivers that they must not turn nor stop their vehicles opposite the Star Ferry, Connaught Road, and we understand that leaflets will also be distributed on the subject. We quite agree that such a regula
*
If possible, a third day should be taken up by the woman of the family, if she intends to drive the car. For often it may be found that a car found perfect for one person will not suit another."
In the case of a woman, the pedals may be too far for her, or she might have to sink far down into her seat to get to the starter button, or the accelerator rest may not suit her.
It is in the driving position that women find cars especially tiring. They should have their part in the final decision, if they are to drive
the car.
LONDON'S STREET PERILS.
Three People Killed Every Day.
PEDESTRIANS MORE CARELESS.
Official figures issued recently by the Metropolitan Police show that during April, May, and June this year there was an average of 8 people killed and 323 injured in the streets of London every day.
į
April, May, and June than in the corresponding period of last year, and in the second three months of this year there were 47 more people killed than in the first three months. This is equal to a rise of nearly four a week.
"It is shown by the police figures that three-quarters of the deaths Altogether last year, there were were caused by people crossing the 1,003 people killed and 46,036 in- road carelessly, dodging vehicles, jured in the streets of London, the playing or walking in the rond, or first six months taking a toll of 441 stepping off pavements without due lives. In the first half of this year care.
there were 475 fatal and 51,059 The police report shows vividly non-fatal accidents. that the streets are constantly be- How were all these 475 people) coming more perilous, despite warn-killed? The report for the half- ings and numerous precautions year shows that taken by the traffic authorities. 115 were crossing the road. care-
lessly.
50 hesitated or faltered.
36 passed between, behind, or in front of stationary vehicles.
White lines, one-way traffic, elec-. trie signs, and notice boards have been introduced all over London, but, as the record proves, accidents are increasing at an alarming rate. According to the record there were 261 people killed in the streets of London during the second quarter of the year, and there were 29,717 non-fatal acci-and
dents.
The Increase.
The 281 deaths in the second quarter, with the vehicles con• cerned, were accounted for thus:
82 private motor-cars.
80 trade and commercial care
lorries.
42. motor-cycles.
28 omnibusca.
11 horse-drawn trade and com
In the first three months of the mercial vehicles..
8 taxicabs, year the figures were:-
214 killed.
21,324 non-fatal accidents. The figures for the first six months of last year were:
First Quarter.
Killed
214
.21,324
Second Quarter.
Killed.. Non-fatul
For the general trial, the auto- With the knob in this position, mobile should be on the test Non-fatal
cases the block from the start. How does the decompressor cam compressor, yet leaves the cylinder it start? Does it warm up easily? scaled on the explosion stroke, Does it get too hot? and the engine starts quite easily On the run down to work, sec without all the bother of holding how the new product stands up intraffic, the valve lifter, as in the case of against the other cars
254 .20,725 It will thus be seen that there
8 pedal bicycles.
2 tramway-cars.
During the half-year 38 motor cyclists and 6 pillion riders were killed. Six of the motor-cyclists who were killed were carrying pillion riders.
One significant point stands out in the report, and that is that, de- spite all the efforts of the authori ties to introduce schemes which will make the roads sufer, pedes- becoming trians themselves are
tion is necessary, especially when some engines, and with much more. how its picked up as soon as the were 8,992 more accidents during more careless.
cars scattering pedestrians at this obviating any tendency to kick When the day is done, check AMBITIOUS SCHEME. PRIVATE FLYING.
W. R. Morris's : Wolseley Policy.
passengers are crossing the road effective control, giving a start light turns green, how it stops either to or from the ferry. In-with the minimum number of in emergencies, and how it re-i tances have often been noticed of turns on the kickstarter and quite sponds to the steering wheel. point, and it is certainly time that back and catch shin or foot. The gasoline consumption against inil- steps were taken to prevent this. return of the knob to its normal cage,
Aircraft and Carcraft. Cars can easily turn at the junc position pushes the rocker back, tion of Wardley Street and Con- and the latter misses the decom- If it is raining, note whether the
There are signs that an increas- naught Road, or at the junction of pressor cam, and the engine func- windshield is watertight, and try,
ing amount of attention is being Pedder Street opposite Blake Fier. tions normally with fully closed out the brakes on the wet pavement. The announcement of the Wolse-paid in the Dominions and also in Another improvement which might valve on the compression stroke. to see whether they are equalized.ley Company that the prices of the England to the commercial possi well be effected is that when a The knob can be returned by the Close all the windows, and see crowd of passengers leaving the foot when the engine has started. whether the car rumbles. Drive Wolseley Six will remain unaltered, bilities of private flying. In the ferry is about to cross the road-The device is simplicity itself, and the car alone, and see how it rides. not only for this season, also for heart of London for instance one way, the constable on duty should the thrust of the spring in the A full car helps smooth out rough the next, is distinctly interesting also an aeroplane or aeroplane en- can buy not only a motor car but:
hold up trallic until it has mass-rocker spindle being taken by a roads.
from more than one point of view. gine, while in the Dominions thero ed. White lines might indicate the large ball, it does not involve the
Test out the various gears, in When the motorist buys a new car are quite a number of mator car route to be taken by pedestrians, use of any parts likely to wear. cluding reverse, for sound and
control.
und finds after a month or two that agents, many of whom flew during Second gear especially, which is used often exclusively in the makers have reduced he price, the war, and now foresee the time!! heavy slow traffic, should be pleas he feels seriously aggrived. His car when the aircraft side of their busi- nesa may he a most profitable one.j ing to the ear.
is no longer proud possession it In view of these developments it was-into his mind creeps a dis- is not surprising to find that some The speedometer should be tested tinet sense of loss, even though his of the most far-seeing men in the for reliability. Match it against a known distance to see whether it car is as good as ever, and he is British motor car trade are deve
that acutely conscious
when loping the aviation side of their! records properly. Also match it
he comes to part with it business. Perhaps the most strík:][ "for speed against a car whose
the car :wili realise muching example of this is Armstrong speedometer is known to be accur less. This policy of declar Siddeley Motors, Ltd., who besides Speedometers usually are accuring the price for more than a year claiming to be the largest makers ate around 25 to 35 miles an hour. ahead requires much courage on the of six-cylinder cars in Europe, have Above or below this range they are part of the makers, but will be devoted a large section of their warmly welcomed by all carowners works to the manufacture of arco less and less truthful.
as a safeguard which is long over-engines, the best known of which duc.
are probably the fourteen-cylinder
WADDA YA MEAN BY WHY, THEY W...
MINUTES PASSING, A STOP SIGN BACK
FIVE AGO!
IM CHASING
THE FIRE TRUCKS
SURE, BUT I HAVEN'T GOT TO THE FIRE YET-
ate.
The place for the battery should
be accessible. The tool chest But even more interesting is the Jaguar and the five-cylinder Genet, should be accessible and in it evidence this announcement affords which is now being used on the should be the kind and assortment of Mr. W. R. Morris's policy with test forms of aircratt. of tools that will not induce you regard to Wolseley cars.
In the In addition to this steel aircraft are made in quantity, and so suc- to profanity when you are forced public mind the name of this great cessfully have engine and machine to use them.
manufacturer has long been asso-been combined, that the products of ciated with quantity production this concern are standardised in the with the making of a good reliable, R. AF.
The jack, especially, should be strong and dependable.
TWO NEW TO ONE USED.
car at a very low figure. In his
Probably later on other manu- new venture, however, Mr. Morris facturers will follow suit but it is proposes to proceed along somewhat to the pioneere who risked their different lines. Quality production
RUBBER STREET
WEARS.
is to be the keynote. The Wolseley money in the first place and saw the possibilities of aviation that the tradition of high-grade, workman- credit must be given. ship is to be maintained to the uti For every two new cars sold In termost, reinforced, of course, by the United States, one old car is the Morris' policy of thoroughness. traded in as part payment, accord- Whatever is saved in cost by im- ing to Assistant Chief Irving H. proved manufacturing method is Taylor of the Department of Com- to be put back into the cars in the New Bridge street, London, "was" merce, automotive division. Two form of increased value. The recently paved with rubber blocks. out of every five cars were used standard aimed at is very high in After six, Lapnths of wear it, is for replacement in 1926, which re deed-for Mr. Morris makes no sald to be in almost perfect condi presents almost 40 per cent.. of secret of his intention to make the tion. The street is located in the the world production.
Wolseleys the best cars in the world.heart of London's busiest section.
1928 HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FORE-WHEEL BRAKES, THROTTLE":"
-CONTROLLED MEACHANICAL
OILER AND AIR-CLEANER
are prominent advancements,
SPECIAL SPORT SOLOS ARE LEADERS
ARE NOW IN STOCK.
BOOK YOUR MOUNT NOW.
THE GASCON MOTOR CO.,
2. Kwong Wah Road (Opposite The Steam Laundry). Telephone K1242.
REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN ON ALL MAKES OF MACHINES. Take Bus Route No. 7. (Passes Door).
When You Say-
"Give Me A Gallon of Oil"
You Mean
"I Don't Care How It's Made!"
From the same iron ore either an inferior cast iron or "a fine tool steel can be made. The difference in the quality and hardness of the finished metal is all a matter of manu- facturing methods.
It is much the same in refining lubricating oils. Even the beat crude oil does not always make fine lubricating oil.. Without correct and adequate refining, processing, and specialized experience, it is impossible to make high-grade oil from any crude.
How do ordinary oils compare with Gargoyle Mobiloil in refining? Many cost only one-half as much to make. Where there is one step in refining these oils, there are probably three steps in producing Mobileil.
More. Mobiloil is made only from crudes oils specially chosen for LUBRICATING palue. Mobiloil is not a gasoline by-product.
Mobiloil is by far the most used oil among men who build ́automobile engines. 182 automobile :manufacturers approve
the Mobiloit Chart.
Mobiloil
Make the chart your guide
VACUUM OIL CO.