MOTORING
SUPPLEMENT
OF
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
SATURDAY 12th MAY.
Being The Official Organ of
1928.
THE HONGKONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.
Il-chosen Time,
CURRENT
COMMENT
P. E. Knight.
B. J. Laenn. V. T. Low.
C. 'S. Rosselet,
E. F. R. Sample.
J. H. Seth.
A. E. Stone.
A. Urquahart.
P. L. Williams. Mr. Niico Wood.
a1 A. A. Service,
at
It is not as a rule that one is given to grumbling about the re- pair of road surfaces; rather does one welcome all instances of it. But there does at times seem to be a lack of thought or appropria- teness about the work of our P.W.D. A-the-present-time-there- is a very fine road widening im- provement being carried out the Naval Hospital and it is inevit able that the carrying out of that The very fine service which Improvement should necessitate The Automobile Association workmon taking up part of the Home gives to its members is al- width of the ordinary roadway, ways being extended, and the The rond, in the circumstances, latest news liem to be sent un by has become dangerous and nar-the head office stalles that the A.A. row. And the astounding fact is has arranged for a week-end wire-i that a road-mending gang of the less road report to be broadcast P.W.D. descended upon that nar-rom 20. This will be broadcast row plece of roadway on Wednes-on Friday evenings and will give day morning, roped off haff of its information on road conditions width and commenced to peck up throughout England, Wales, Seat- the surface and relay it. There land and Northern Ireland. The were a few amall pot-holes, it is value of such information to those true, but we do suggest that they contemplating week-end bours will might have been left (as they had be very grent Indeed. been for months) until the work of widening was completed. In- stend of which; a dangerous cor-
Road Unfinished.
It
NEW FIAT SALOON.
The new handsome saloon body seen above has recently been added to the famous 509 range of Fiat cars.
HOW ROAD RACES
HELP.
Car Development.
£250,000 CARS IN PERIL,
Brooklands Fire. `
FORD EXPERIENCE.
Knowing the New Car.
Absolute uniformity of service on the new Ford Model "A" cors and Model "AA" trucks is being maintained by the Ford Motor Com pany through a plan which involves the training, in the Ford plants, of len thousand garage mechanica. For weeks the Ford branch plants, and the Detroit factories have as- sumed the character of a gigantic training school, to which every Ford dealer in the United States Is.. sending one or more representa- tlves.
This same plan is being followed by the Ford Motor Co. Export Inc. of Shanghai. During the latter. part of May a service school will be opened in Shanghai for the train- Ing of mechanics, To this school the public will be invited and it should be of particular interest to all Shanghai motorists as it is the first attempt to introduce proper and especially designed repair equipment handled by trained mechanica.
i
This school for services men bo During the Easter motor racegan with the training of superin- [By Professor A. M. Low.]
meeting at Brooklands, Weybridge, tendants and foramen of the thirty- a fire broke out in one of the great six branch plants of the Company Professor Low, the well-known car parks where spectators' motor- In the United States. Months be scientist, who is
fore the Model "A" Ford car was cars were housed. a consulting motor engineer, here explains how
A cry of "Fire" sent car-owners Introduced these men from the ner, was made much more dan-ing from the road at. Weng Nel by road races such as that to take of the danger zone,
a pity that the road lend the general motoring public benefit hurrying to get their vehicles out branch plants were being schooled The fire, the Ford factories near Detroit gerous; a narrow road was made Cheong Gap to Tai Hang has not place in the vicinity of Belfast on which started in an open car, was in the manufacture and assembly of. much more narrow and drivers of heen completed. There is just August 18, motor and other vehicles
The Daily Mail has twlieved to have been caused by a very unfairly penalised. There left unfinished with the result that
were one portion at the Tai Hang end offered £1,500 in prize-money. spirit-stove used for picnicking. could have been no more glaring the remainder of the road is of no not appreciate the Home Secret-wind was blowing in the direction That there are people who did Another car with a fabric body was quickly involved, and as the example of lack of consideration, use
whatever at present. With ary's words when he compared Cap-of hundreds of other cars there or, one might add, the absence of intelligent thought. One wondera motoring here, one would like to bisher and Drake ahows that re-
the unprecedented growth oftain Malcolm Campbell with Fro-was a general alarm. in whose hands is left the making see the Colony's roads extended as cord-breaking is not quite under-stocked with fire extinguishers and of a decision like that now much as possible, and the
Fortunately Brooklands is well ferred to, because it in obvious under notice would no doubt be in
road stood by the public. Individual concerned frequent use. It is to be hoped mists who used to state that all
officials quickly extinguished the The descendants of those pessi flames. needs a better appreciation of the that the work will be continued in speed en land, sen, or water was the enclosure, valued approximate- About 1,000 cars were parked in fitness of things.
the near future.
dangerous may be heard to Taxicab Service.
mark. "Who wishes to travel at
rely at £250,000. Dimming In City.
200 miles per hour?... I think twenty is quite enough."
How would such persons enjoy
that the
The new taxicab service of Clyno cara will be commenced on
Although many motorists dim
Needs no License.
Failure to make a passing
the new car. They returned to the thirty-six Ford branches and Im-
territories. The men came in re- mediately began the training of men for dealers in their respective lays, ench group as large as the branch plant could handle convant- kept small, in order that be vent ently. The groups were purposely intensive training could be given.
was given a rigorous examination. Each man was put through the same course given the branch meh ́at Dalroit, and upon its completion This examination Included many points about the car which might not be considered essential, from June 1st., and, judging by the their lights when approaching a drive in a motor-car of which the
the service man's viewpoint. How- expressions of approval and praise trafic, posts at night so that the maximum speed was the legal limit?mfasioner of vehicles in New Jer-on the part of every dealer's service William L. Dill, although com-ing complete knowledge of the car ever, the Ford Company is requir- that have been made by those who intanan can see clearly to signal The experience would be a torture, sey for 18 years, has never had a men have been privileged to enjoy a them there are some local drivers The car would be lacking in accelo-driver's license. He has owned grade meant that the man had to "private" trial run, the cars are who extinguish their lights com-ration it would be most uncomfort-several makes of curs during that take the entire course again. If comfortable and satisfactory in pletely. This is a dangerous praceable, and, above all, it would posses time, but all the driving has been he failed a second time, he was sent every way. Four more cabs have tice and, further, one that is liable no reliability. arrived during the past week, mak-to lead them into trouble for ing six out of the initial order of failing to have lights. As has high efficiency engine, is the direct of his family.
The modern small car, with its done by a chauffeur or members back to the dealer with the sugges Len, and the remainder are ex-previously been stated, it is quite outcome of speed competition, Re-
tion that he. was not considered pected in a few days. The cabs safe to drive in most parts of gulations are made for motor-rac-
qualified to give Ford service; have been uncrated and made the city at night with dimmed ing events specifying a definite
whereupon, the dealer was re- ready for the road by the Motoring headlights, and if this were uni- engine capacity as the maximum. and with greater reliability than next training school session.
quired to send another man for the. Department of Micssre. Lane,versally, done it would be unneces-Designers concentrate
was accomplished by the 40-h.p. Drawford, Ltd., and the decisionsary for a driver to interfere with production of an engine which will road, tyres, and petrol 20 years dealer no matter how small his es- ronring monsters which ste up service man extends to every Ford This requirement for trained not to start the service until the bis lights at all when approaching give maximum power for size, and ago. The small ngine of any rac-tablishment may be. Many dealers and of this month is mainly on ac-a traffic post. It should also be the result has been a small engine ing car is reflected in the ordinary liave sent two or more men to the count of the fact that the cabs pointed out that although ears at which now enables four passengers will not be handed over
to the Home are permitted to drive with to be propelled along the road faster sible to cut down petrol consumping the factory examination, these runabout. Its size made it pos branch for training. Upon pass- drivers of the New Taxi Company only one front light (on the off- until the importing Company is side) there is a local regulation
tion and the cost of construction, men returned to the dealers shops Tally satisfied that they are in which stipulatee that a
and the smallness of the engine and passed on to the entire shop motor thorough-going order. This is the vehicle shall exhibit two lights in
has been of immense benefit to the organisations the same careful In- kind of service which is essential front to show the width of the The special Night Service re- comforts of a modern saloon.
coachbuilder when providing the struction given at the branches,—— to a well-operated fleet.
vehicle. Most British cars are tently Instituted by the Automo-
Contributed. fitted with lamps which show the bile Association at Home, to assist the watchword of the
It is only because power has been Repair Needed.
full width of the car but many cara members during the night in con-manager that overhead valves have The results of the Government's of foreign make are unable to nexion with emergency calls, has been fully tested and brought to CADILLAC SALES. recent poller of economy are to be comply strictly with this regula been called upon by a large num-perfection geen on the roads of Kowloon and ion because the lamps are placed ber of motorists. Among
Again, the twisting along the constal roud to Castle between the radiator and the amples of special assistance ren- for rapid deceleration called for A New Peak Reached.
ex-roads of the Continent and the need Peak, for there is no gainsaying | mudguards.
the fact that they are, generally Damage by Hand Trucks. speaking in bad condition. Work
Is now in progress along the
upon the
Twenty-four Hour Service.
racing
il
gain of
dered are:-
some better method of braking A firm in the West of England during a race. Hence front-wheel having despatched one of their brakes.
Production of Cadillac and La- vehicles, discovered that the driver It is essential in a race that con- of 1928 attained a new first-quar- Salle cars during the first quarter stretch which runs from Castle the great damage done to the roade tination. The A.A. was asked if it should be light, and that skiddingpared with 7,056 cars during the If demonstration were needed of had been given the wrong des-trol should be perfect, that steering ter peak of 10,884 units, as com Peak to Un Lung and a very good by heavily-laden hand trucks then were possible to stop the driver, should be reduced in order that first quarter of 1927, a job is being made of it. But it is to that part of Connaught Road West Within forty minutes, by the aid of safety and absence of tyre wear 54.2 per cent. Shipments for the be hoped that the Government will which lies between the Macno A.A. telephones, and road patrels can be relied upon. These very same period were 10,406 unite as be able to find enough money to Wharf and Whitty Street provides still on duty, the driver was found details have been produced in the compared with 7,516 in 1927. undertake a lot of resurfacing. on it. Although this road is not used and instructed to communicate whirlwind of racing, the stretch between Kowloon and
where Castle Peak for there is much that extensively by motor traffic there with his employers,
Shipments for the “month ́ ́of methods of suspension have been March wore 4,526, surpassing the Are numerous holes which maka
A lady member, late in the ever-dested until the smallest, lightest money has been spent on the road There is always a great amount tain a driver to pilot her through upon the roughest ronds. during the past two or three years of hand-truck traffic on this seca own. The A.A. headquarters
pany's history, which was March, and it is inevitable that with the ion and this is undoubtedly the was able to arrange with an ap-been improved beyond all compare proximately 3,988 unita; a gain of Methods of carburation have for the same period of 1927 by ap 1027. Deilveries will exceed those growth of traffic its condition is cause of its indifferent condition. pointed agent in the town to meet in order that engines may respond 68 per cent. over over the same rapidly going from bad to worse. The handling of heavy goods in the lady, and to render the assist-quickly to throttle movement and period of 1927. New A.A. Members.
this cargo-working and storage ance required. part of the town is inevitable and
in order that comfort may be ob- 1 The following new members it would doubtless 'pay the Gov-ing the outskirts of the Metropolis in arts of the car **
A number of members approach-tained for both pilot and the work Export shipments during Janu- have joined the local Automobile ernment, when making up this have been provided with pilots to
ary, February and March of this Association since the laat list was road again, to use some specially take them into or through London, man was always that of tyres. Ho 655 cars, or 179 per cent. over the One. great problem of the spoed-year totalled 1,020 unita, a gain of published:
hard-wearing substance for sur- While a member was driving provided himself with a four-speed same period of last year. facing. The comparatively small after dark, his car lights failed. gearbox to achieve acceleration, Production of Cadillac and La- amount of money paid in licensing He telephoned for assistance; the found that tyres were hard put to Salle cara la running approximately fees for these hand-trucks is al-Association communicated with a stand the strain, and introduced equal and unfilled orders are 88 together Incommensurate with the nearby garage, and a mechanic the detachable wheel to reduce de per cent above the high mark of damage they cause.
was sent out to put matters right, lay caused by trouble,
1927.
needs early attention. Very little riding anything but comfortable. ing asked an A.A. patrol to char can be reasonably comfortable Biggest previous month in the com-)
W. Anderson,
J. Crookdale.
G. B. Dunnett,
H. Owen Hughes.
G. A. L. Kay.
WE HAVE TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR STOCK OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON SINGLES 0. H. V. MODELS (TWIN PORTS) ARE SOLD OUT. OUR NEXT SHIPMENT WILL BE DUE SOON. WATCH FOR DATE OF ARRIVAL. BETTER RESERVE YOUR
MOUNT NOW.
Only one 1928 Harley-Davidson combination left. Get it now, for to-morrow may be too late.
THE GASCON MOTOR CO.,
REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN ON ALL MAKES OF MACHINES. Tel E. 1849
2, Kwong Wah Road, Kewloon (Opposite The Steam Laundry)
A GOOD ASSORTMENT OF SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES IN STÜCK.
FAMOUS ALL OVER THE WORLD
B.S.A.
Thartido hacks was the
The Birmingian Beall Arms On La Birmingham Engla
MOTOR
SPEED
SILENCE
CYCLES
RELIABILITY
WHAT MORE COULD: ANY PROSPECTIVE BUYER WANT IN A MOTOR CYCLET WHICH EVER B.S.A. MODEL YOU CHOOSE, YOU CAN DE SURE OF OBTAINING THE UTMOST VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY AND A MACHINE THAT IS GOOD FOR YEARS OF FAULTLESS SERVICE,
*
DON'T CHOOSE UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE B.S.A'S. WE HAVE IN STOCK
The Sincere Co., Ltd.