THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, MOTORING SUPPLEMENT. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1928.
MOTOR BOATING FOR THE OWNER DRIVER
Motoring round the coast where you may cruise in peace among picturesque islande, or breast the flying 'spray on the coastal seas has' joys and experiences of its own. Here Indeed is a paatiore appealing to everyone with an instinctive love of the sea, rondily acces sible nowadays to most Owner-drivers, whose ear experiences enables them quickly to fool "at home" at the wheel of a motor boat. The above picturo is of a 28' Thornycroft motor bont capable of a speed of 25 knots. There are, of course, many different types better suit- ed to longer cruising, where adequate. cabin accommodation is provided. The local office of Messrs. John Thornycroft & Co., Ltd, will gladly supply information and advice to those necking it.
MOTOR BOAT TAXIS.
Fast Passenger Craft at Home.
The motor boat is increasing in favour in England for conatal passenger trips. Plymouth, Ter- quay, Bournemouth, Shanklin. Ryde, Southsen, Brighton, Dover. Ciseton, and Margate are amongst coastal towns where speedy pas- senger craft are to be seen operating.
THE UBIQUITOUS MOTOR BOAT.
Popularity of Motoring Afloat,
{By a Special Correspondent.]
IN
Motor beating during the past twelve months has made amazing strides.
A short time ago, Motoring Afloat was looked upon either with complete Indifference, superior tolerance, or active hostility, The general public were as a whole, totally ignorant not only of its of capabilities and attractions, but even of what a motor bout looked
like. The position has, however, undergone a complete change.
A loading British daily paper recently contained an article concerning the possibilities motor boat taxis on the Thames, a feature of Motor Boating which will doubtless bo common before very long.
RECENT MOBILOIL SUCCESSES
BROOKLANDS
August IIth.
3 Firsts
2 Seconds
3 Thirds
NORTHERN CENTRE
A.C.U. SPEED TRIALS
August 6th.
30 Firsts
24' Seconds,
11 Thirds
CRYSTAL PALACE
August IIth.
3 Firafs
2 Seconds 1 Third
TADCASTER M. C.
GRASS TRACK RACES August IIth,
4 Firsts 2 Seconds
5 Thirds
The aim of British Manufacturers of boats and engines has been to evolve a product which shall be the acme of perfection, giving the highest degree of service with a negligible risk of mochanical break down and assuring the utmost safety. That the manufacturers have Aucceeded in this ideal and that simplicity of operation, his come to be appreciated by all and la an added feature of modern British productions.
41
The popularity has spread also amongst the hardened yachtsmen as well as the uninitinted, for the name "engine" la no longer the anathema which It was formerly considered to be, It being, now Installed as a useful adjunct to the tiniest of yachts without detract Ing from its appearance, or in any way interfering with its primary
use.
The Motor launch too, is now built in a variety of standard types, which are in any way suitable as yachts tenders, and in most cases permanent aliug plates are fitted as standard to facilitate fling out, by yachts davitts.
r
Not only in great Britain is Motor Boating enjoying well merited popularity, but in all parts of the work one finds that this sport and means of travel and transport is making a strong appeal,
It is a pleasing aspect of the position, that with the increasing demand for Motor craft, greater preference is being accorded to British engines and boats. This is not surprising when it is re- membered that the sterling value of everything British is embodied.
NEW ANGLES.
OUTBOARD MOTORS,
Safety League's Views. Good Sport with Boat
FINANCIAL RESPONSI-
Racing.
FRONT DRIVE.
Early Use Predicted.
[By Irael Klein]
Although many American en- gineers believe that the disadvan tages to the front, wheel drivo in automobiles far outweigh its ad- vantages, Herbert Chase, New York automotive engineer predicts its extensive adoption in this country within the next few years,
Chase ventured this opinion ro- cently in a talk before the Society of Automotive Engineers, at Que- boc, and backed it up with a long array of facts. He balances the advantages against its proclaimed disadvantages, and is inclined to favour this type of drive against the present conventional form."
These advantages, according to this engineer, are:
1-Belatively unencumbered space for a body of almost any do- sired design, floor height and di- menaluna.
"Cimination of a bulky. and complicated rear axle.
"3-Possibility of improved rid ing qualities, Including less pitch- ins.
Safe From Skidding.
"4-Increased safety due to loss akidding tendency and to ability to tako turna at higher speed.
"b-Driving force always up- plied to the wheels in the direc tion of their motion.
G-Elimination
long of propeller-shaft, and substitution of shafts having lower speed and less tendency to vibrate.
7-Possibility of proved traction, under certain conditions.
"8-Possibility of great quiet- ness and freedom from body rum- ble.
"9-Ability to provide front- wheel braking without carrying brake-drums and operating mechan- ism on wheels or axles.
Cheaper to Maintain, "10-Lower upkeep costs due to greater accessibility and better lubrication.
shimmy
"11-A less expensive rear-axlo and a aimplified" frame-construc- tfon.
"12-Freedom from tendencies.
"13-A possible decrease in tyre wear due to 'lessened skidding ten- dency.
"14-Decrease in the total weight of the vehicle.
"15-Decreased side-sway, "16-Decreased thrust on front- wheel bearings.
"17-Front axle and springs can be relieved of all braking torque.
"18-All springs can be relieved of driving torque reaction."
Fewer Disadvantageş,
the following disadvantages;
Against all these, Chaso records
"1-Decreased traction under some conditions, notably in hill climbing and when accelera- ting.
"Possibility of greater in- jury to the driving mechanism in the event of collision.
"3-Difficulty of obtaining sat- isfactory weight-dietribution, ex-
trucks and pecially in coaches.
"4--Increased
motor-
over-all length,
or an increased wheelbase for the
same length of body.
"-Increased complication in the
driving mechanism.
"6-Decreased space for the radiator."
"7-Increased expenses of the Four members of the Sussex front axle, or its equivalent, and Motor Yacht Club, Captain Coates, the, driving mechanism, Mr. T. Roness Bordewick, Mr.
"8-Insufficient road clearance in Prestwich and Mr. W. H. Bed-front, considering the present
small-diameter wheels ford, entered Ronean Outboard
"9-Difficulty of getting a quiet
BILITY. "The license to operate a vehicle on a public road is a priyllege, and not a right granted by the State." Motors to represent England at drive, especially with * bevel
This is the contention of the the International Outboard Motor drive mounted on the frame. Civic League of Improvement of Boat Regatta, held at Potadam, the U.S.A., which has been or Germany, during June. ganised for greater public safety.
The league's platform seems to In England, The Welsh Harp, be to discover all the reasons why Hendon, a fine piece of inland the privilege should be withdrawn. water is forming the venue for It considers that the existing regular well attended. meetings standards of examination of for outboard éngined boats, drivers are too superficial, and
thinka that the State should be A very fine meeting took place Jempowered to cancel the Bleense of on May 12th when 78 of these at- anyone who, for any reason, may tractive little speed craft were be considered unfit to drive.
"10-Possible slight decrease in mechanical efficiency.
"11-Harder atcering due to increased load on the front axle and the steering pivots,
"12-Difficulty of obtaining an adequate steering-angle."
200 MILE RACE.
entered, the maximum speed High Speeds on Track. Amongst many demands which obtained during the day. being. Some exciting racing was seen savour of slight fanaticism the 20.2 M. P. H.
on the famous American racing league is asking of American
legislatures one sound enactment. The Welsh Harp is providing track known as the Altoona Speed- That te: that all drivers deposit excellent sport for the outboard way, on August 19th, when, after with the State in substantial form craft for dwellera in London and leading continuously from the half way mark, Lou Meyer, record- adequate proof of responsibility to Metropolitan districts, while pro-ed his second big win of the sea-
large number of yacht meet all losses (such as a'third vincially party insurance policy), and that clubs have in many cases their son by winning the 200 mile Inter- national' Sweepstakes. His time in lieu of this the license fee be own outboard suctions and at for the race was 1-42-54, an aver- increased to Inaure all victims or tractive list of fixtures,
age of 117 miles per hour. 1. ja
M'Donough, who led for the first hundred miles, finished second, his time being 1-43-48, and. Cliff Woodbury, who took Fred Comer's place at the wheel of the latter's machine, owing to a flying aplin ter shattering Comer's goggles, was third in 144,55.
their dependents or heirs against loss.
Canada's Cars.
Canada has a motor vehicle registration of 939,478 passenger cars and trucks.
A MEMORY COURSE.
Ontario is said to be contem- plating a law that will fine motorist $10 for walking away and leaving his car unattended or Don't close all the windows of unoccupied, unless locked. For a car, Signals are essential to second lapse of memory, the fine motoring safety,
18 $25.
#
Sixteen famous racing motorists competed, but only seven finished the course. It is interesting to note that the first three winners used Firestone tyres,
NEW
CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH
PLYMOUTH
ANewCar..ANew CarStyle.. ANewZenith of Low Priced Car Luxury and Performance
New slender profile chromium-plated radia tor-Long, low bodies.- Generous room for 'to 5 passengers, according to body model. Luxurious deep upholstery and ap pointment detail - New "Silver-Dome” high- compression engine, for use with any petrol. Smooth speed up to 65 and more miles an hour, ~~ Chrysler light-action in- ternal expanding hy- draulic four-wheel brakes-no other car of this price possesses this feature.
.
With the new Plymouth, Chry sler is the first to give, at no low a price, the advantages of performance, riding, ease, de pendability and full adult site which characterise fine cars of bigher price.
It is so revolutionary an advance. over other low-priced cars, it is such conclusive evidence of the past year's strides in the science of motor car manufacturing that you will surely want to see it and drive it.
A Plymouth ride is the best demonstration of the ease with which it leaps from 5 to 60 and more miles per hour-the quiet of its power and the smoothues of its flight. You yourself must
put your foot to the light-nction internal hydraulic 4-wi.cel brakes to knowthe confidence of the fastest and safest deceleration you have ever experienced.
And above all, you must see its beautiful lines and finish, and stretch at ease in its deep uphol. stered, full adult-size bodies, to comprehend how completelythe Plymouth surpasses cars in the low-priced field,
Please see and ride in the Plymouth. We believe you will discover there has never beca a car anywhere near its price that can approach the Plymouth for power, pick-up,smoothness, easy handling, safety, quietness and roomlness-nor that can equal it in beauty and style,
A. LUNG 8 CO.
19, Queen's Road, C.
Tel. C. 1119.
NEW CREATIONS by
ARTIST-ENGINEERS
This new Oldsmobile is motordom's good news for 1928. It reveals new and sophisticated elements of style. It em bodies new engineering features. It typifies the whole new spirit of the times-because it reflects the master touch of artist-engineers.
Though you may have formed the high- cat opinion of its beauty... and its per.. formancewe urge you to come in for a personal inspection.
We want you to experience the silent, smooth performance of the new 55 h. p. high compression engine-to revel in the comfort of spacious new Fisher bod les. And thuslearn why thousands of car buyers are turning to Oldsmobile.
TOURING $2,500 ROADSTER
OLDSMOBILE
PRODUCT OF GENERAL MOTORS
The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd.
THE
Telephone Central 1246 or 1247.⠀⠀
88, Wong Mel Chung Road, Happy Valley,
FINBOAR
OF
LOW
PRICE