THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1931.
NOTES AND NEWS. Increasing Popularity of the Small Car.
BRITISH-MADE CARS.
"uivelling" of the Hillman-Wizard modern motor-car factory will go at the Royal Albert Hall:, "New to meet the motorist's desire to Zealand stands wherever possible express individuality and taste. It for preference to British, manufie- has frequently been stated that the tures and I have learned with in-small British car is "unsuitable for therefore inter- terest of the advent of your world overseas." It is model. There is a wide demand in esting, to hear that in New South the Dominion and in the Empire, Wales, at any rate, the type has most suitable and generally for adequately-powered proved itself cars suitable for local conditions, efficient. During the inat, twelve and I trust your new car; designed months or do one make alone-the to meet this demand, will have Triumph Super Seven-has won 35 success." That the "Bay cups and trophies in open contests. every British" campaign is meeting with Included success in New Zealand is obvious from the Import figures, which re- veal that there were 6,000 fewer American car imports in 1930 than
in the trophies are the challenge shield for the 24 hours' winter trial-the most strenuous in New South Wales-and the Wake- field trophy for 1930. The latter in 1929, whereas British car in- is offered annually for the highest ports only declined by a bare 150 aggregate score in
ten trials or
Australia,
due to the prevalling depressedganised by the R.A.C.
conditions common to all countries. and, It was won by the little British car in competition with foreigners
慘。 * *
The Cape Town-Johannesburg Union Express muil train-the moet famous
running express through South Africa-has been beaten and by an Austin "Seven." Mr. Blythe Cluyton in u super- charged Austin "Seven" completed the 1,000 miles between Cape Town over roads ned, Johannesburg. which are rough and mountainous, in 26 hours 50 minutes thereby beat ing the mall train by almost three hours. Although the Austin's bnt 37 m.p.h.. average speed was this was a remarkable performance
covered, An Interesting fact revealed by of many times the size. considering the distance the roads traversed, and the bad the Minister of Transport'a figures weather conditions which were en of new car registrations for the six
The ancient city wäll of Tsinanfu, Frequently Malayan months ended April 30, is the in- countered.
of full-capital
Shantung Province, notorists, driving from Singapore creasing popularity of the
have sized small car. This type is repre- China, has been converted into a ta Penang or beaten the local mail train by 12 sented by the Singer Junior, of highway to which only motor cars which deliveries in the period formare, admitted. Broad approaches were built at the various city gates. These have been levelled and the top of the wall provides a comfortable. thoroughfare for fast-moving tra- fic, comparable to some elevated highways that have been constructed in America..
or 14 hours!..
the
vice-versa,
There
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+
;
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of the
are comparatively few
A very interesting statement re-ed as much as 23.9 per cent. of the cars, recently registrations in the 8-h.p. class. garding British.
of This means that practically one of issued by the Prime Minister New Zealand runs as follows: "In every four 8-h.p. eare was a Singer motor in Junior, in spite of the fact that six past, in the dustry, we have had difficulties in differem makes are included in the and class. Deliveries of Juniors for the ábtaining precisely the cars trucks we require from Home, but six months to April 30 were 21 per thon for the same. from my own experience I can say cent. greater that there has been a remarkable period of 1929-30. The modern de motorists who realise that a plug change recently and to-day, there is mand for bright and attractive wears out quite independently of
and trucks of all colour schemes is such
that the its electrodes burning away, or its u range of cars sizes and prices to suit New Zealand art department of a motor factory insulator fracturing. Yet this is conditions. To those about to 'bay is now one of its most important the case us has been proved by 1. would ask you to give full con sections. Every colour in the rain many power tests made on engines pro- bow is employed, usually in dual-atted with plugs of different ages sideration lo Britain's motor ducts. In helping them we help tone schemes, and the unholstery is mensured in length of service. blended to match. One company When in service the insulator is the Singer-reports that 76 cars exposed to intense heat, severe Such distinguished encourage would be required to display the mechanical shock from the expio- ment is very heartening to the Bri- present range, these comprising oniesions, and the electrical strain of tish motor industry and is further of each model in its various stan- resisting an electrical pressure" of evidence-if such were required-dard, finishes. Additionally, in every between 5,000 and 7,000 volts. Al of the efforts of the Right Hon. instance the upholstery and trim these factors tend to break down G. W. Forbes, P.C,, who, it will be mings, are matched to the external the electrical resistance of the in- sent the following colour schemes. This figures gives sulator and promote leakage of cur- remembered. cablegram on the occasion of the some idea of the extent to which a rent. This results in production of
ourselves."
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BUYERS GUIDE
MOTOR CARS.
ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY: - Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen'a
Road. Tel: 24759.
BUICK The Dragon Motor, Car Co., Ltd., 32, Wong Nei Chung
Road, Happy Valley, Tel. 30228.
CADILLAC Hongkong Hotel Garago, Queen's Road. Tel. 24759. CHEVROLET.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel.
21759.
FIAT MOTOR CARA Gocke & Co., China Bldg., 7th floor.
Tel. 22221.
MARQUETTE.-The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wong Nei
Chung Road, Happy Valley: Tel. 30228. MORRIS.-Hongkong Hotel Garage. Queen's Road. Tel 24789. OLDSMOBILE. The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wong Nel
Chung Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 30228. ROLLS-ROYCE-Hongkong Hotel, Garage, Queen's Road.
24769. STUDEBAKER Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road.
24769.
Tel.
Tel.
WILLYS-KNIGHT & WHIPPET. MOTOR CARS.-Gilman & Co.,
Ltd., 42, Des Voeux Rd. C. Tel. 28011.
OUTBOARD MOTORS.---Rudolf Wolff & Kew, 54 Queen's Road
C. Tel. 22178.
MOTOR TRUCKS AND TRACTORS. CHEVROLET.-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road.
24759.
Tel
G.M.C.-The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd., 33, Wong Nel Chung
Chung Road, Happy Valley. Tel. 80228. DODGE.-South China Motor Car Co., 38, Des Voeux Road. C.
Tel. 25644.
**
MORRIS.Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's Road. Tel. 24759.. Tel. STUDEBAKER Hongkong Hotel Garage. Queen's Road.
24759, WILLYS-KNIGHT & WHIPPET TRUCKS-Gilman & Co., Ltd.,
4a, Des Voeux Road C.. Tel. 28011.
MOTOR CYCLES.
B.S.A. The Sincere Co., Ltd., Des Voeux Road. Tel. 27767. NORTON-The Sincere Co., Ltd., Des Voeux Road C. Tel
27767.
·MOTOR OILS,
GARGOYLE MOBILOIL-Vacuum Of Company, King's Bldg. SHELL-Astatic Petroleum Co., (S.C.), Ltd., Asiatic Bldg..
TYRES AND ACCESSORIES. ACCESSORES Hongkong Hotel, Garage, Bueen's Road.
20+ 24769. ACCESSORIE-The Duro Motor Co., Nathan Road, Kowloon.
Tel: 56253,.
Tel.
FISK TYRES--Gilman & Co., Ltd.: 4a, Des Voeux Rd, C. Tel
28011.
INDIA TYRES W. R. Loxley Co. York Bldga. Tel. 22285. MICHELIN TYRES.-A. Gooke, & Co. Chins Bldg., 7th floor
Tel. 2222159
PRESTOLITE BATTERIES-Hongkong Hotel Garage, Queen's
Road. Tel. 24759,-
WILLARD BATTERIES Gilman & Co., Ltd.; 4a,, Des Voeux Li
C. Tel. 28011.
a weaker spark just as surely as though it were the coil or magneto which was at fault and it was found that the power and fuel consumption of engines was seriously affected by plugs which had been in use for the equivalent of 10,000 miles of normal road service. Interesting too. is the fact that these results were ab- tained with plugs of the best i quality, and of a type perfectly suit- ed to the fequirements of the en- gines in which they were used. In cases where the pluga were of poor quality, or unsuitable type their economical life Woo very much shorter. It is therefore a sound practice to change plugs on a 10,000 miles baste, with the objects' of;
THE
er
CHINA
MAIL:
EASY-TO-DRIVE.
obtaining better performance and Future of Free-Wheeling actually saving money through re-) duced fuel consumption.Straits Times.
ROAD TRAFFIC ACT.
Fewer Accidents.
Devices.
us standard on several models. The device was, thought to be a good
selling feature, and as it proved to be. Other manufacturers then had "to sit up and take notice." They began to feel that unless they came out with something similar they were in danger of being "left" So there has been a veritable stampede in America to equip cars with free wheels.
The position to-day in America is that about 75 per cent. of the manu- facturers are offering models with free-wheeling, either as standard or as an optional extra, costing about £10 to £15..
Buick
"Just look back at that mountainous grade. We flew up here with no effort at all—and passed those other cars easily."
Yes indeed, this now Buick brings a new thrill to motoring doesn't it? When you ride in it you understand why so many thousand motorists buy on Buick's reputation alone. They have confidence in Buick."
You can't even imagine the effortless ease with which the new Buick Eight glides in high gear over hills where other cars must labour in second gear i
Its valve-in-head straight eight engine with increased horse-power its improved synchro-mesh transmission-- and 36 other outstanding new features and improvements,- all help to provide a degree of luxurious and thrilling motor- ing you never thought possible in any car costing thousanda of dollars more.
Let a ride convince you. We'll gladly, call for you at your convenience.:**
114" Wheelbase Baick Models 118" Wheelbase Buick Models 124" Wheelbase Buick Models 132" Wheelbase Buick Modela
H.K.$6,955 to H.K.$ 7,525 H.K.$8,275 te H.K.3·8,775 H.K.$9,820 to H.K.$ 9,980. H.K.$9,820 to H.K.$12,295
THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.
Telephone 30228.
́33, WONG NEI CHUNG ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY,
B-2)
The
BUICK 8
The Eights with Buick's Prestige
It is worth noting in passing that self-changing gear-box, I shall not one of the mail order houses in the try to forecast developments, but United States which specialises in everything points to same form of motor equipment is marketing a hydraulic coupling being generally free-wheel device. for Ford which adopted, either. in place of or in the owner can fit in his own garage. conjunction with a clutch of the A motorist who has been a car
Needless to say, the Ford Company normal type. I am certain that had owner for longer than I care to
does not approve of this scheme. the motor trade been-enjoying a remember came to me the other day
There has been a certain amount greater measure of prosperity, we with a question about free-wheel-
of trouble in America" over free- should have seen far more ders ing. He had been reading "all
wheeling on account of the fact that adopted on standard. cars with a about it" in an article in a London
with the free-wheel in action, it view to abolishing or substantially newspaper by a correspondent, who
was no longer passible to make use improving the transmission system. Simplified gear-changing was ur- had suddenly become alive to the
of the braking power of the en- In the House of Commons Mr. H. fact that there was such a thing
gine, but that drawback has to gently wanted. The synchro-mesh Morrison (Minister of Transport) and that it was being fitted as
some extent been overcome,
and Idea in one solution which has cer said that the return of the Metro-standard on many American care,
besides much more powerful brakes tainly caught on, as. It has been politan Police of accidents in the and he wanted to hear my views. To begin with, naturally it was are now being fitted to cars for very extensively adopted both in firat quarter of the year, which had: As a result of the publicity given only on the medium and expensive which the device is a standard fit-Britain and abroad. There are Just been issued, showed that there to the subject during the past week models that the device was fitted, ting.
several others, some of them in the had been a 10 per cent. reduction of two there are no doubt many but more recently on some of the
No Skill Required.
experimental stage, others more in the number of fatal and non-fatal other motorists who are also won low price types it has been added, After driving cars fitted with fully developed. accidents.
dering whether free-wheeling is to For instance, It is a feature of the several different types of freewheels It is impossible to say which It would be unwise to
Assume be a feature of all cars in the near new Plymouth, which sells at $575. I must admit that they have a cer- type of transmission will eventually that that was necessarily typical of future or whether it is only a pass- So far neither Ford nor tala fascination, and I am quite prove to be the most popular, but the whole country, but the general ing phase in the evolution of the Chevrolet, the two best sellers in ready to believe that British manu no one will care to deny that the opinion was that the Road Traffic motor car.
the United States, has been equip facturers will one of these daya day is not far distant when the ped with free-wheeling, and it will follow the example of their United amount of skill required in chang be interesting to see whether either States competitors. At the same ing gears will be reduced to a or both companies is compelled to time I am fully alive to the pos-
minimum, says a Motoring Correa- follow the lead of the other manu-sibilities of the fluid flywheel idea pondent in a Home paper.
working in conjunction with the
Act itself, the publication of the At the moment it is somewhat Highways Code, the provision of difficult to express any definite opin- heavier penalties, and the handling ion as to whether the device has of motorists, not in the spirit that come to stay, but opinion is steadily they were criminals and scoundrels, growing that changes in transmis facturers. but as decent people who wanted to alon are overdue, and that if free- de the right thing, had done much wheeling is not the ultimate solu- in producing that result. (Hear, tion, something on very similar hear.):
lines will eventually be adopted on
It was his duty to provide the all cars. mobile police with the requisite The free-wheel is, I am told, a motor vehicles. He had approved British idea, but strange to say it of a provisional programme of 1,000 has not yet been adopted as stan mach vehicles for England and dard on any British car. In Bri- Wales and 122 for Scotland. Grants tain manufacturers, like Daimler had been made in respect of 684 with the "fluid 'fly-wheel and vehicles operated by 120 local au Wilson self-changing gear, and thorities in England and Wales and Armstrong Siddeley with the sixty vehicles operated by twenty Wilson gear, have been working local authorities in Scotland."
SWIFT OF COVENTRY.
along rather different lines to bring about radical alterations in the transmission systems have
Several British engineers brought out free-wheels, but nono of them has, as yet, succeeded In The London Gazette states that a persuading a manufacturer that he: petition for the winding up of can rely on the device to sell more Swift of Conventry Ltd., the wall- of His cars than are being sold at known motor-car manufacturers, present.
was presented to the High Court American Makers Attitude. of Justice on July 6 by Boyriven In the United States, however, Ltd of Torrington Place, Gower quite a different attitude has bean Street, London. The petition was adopted. First the Studebaker con- to be heard before the Court on
cern about a year ago hit upon the July 20.
plan of incorporating a free-wheel
"
CHEVROLET WINS THE GOLD MEDAL
Winner of the gold medal in the Concours d'Eiorsace Deld under
the auspices of the Royal Automobile Club of: Egypt in Cairo. - This Chevrolet de Laze Roudster was awarded^37′′ out of a possiblë 30, points for bosity and quality:
SIGNALS IGNORED.
Crane Arrested and Put
in Cell.
A crane on its way from Chatham to the Zoological Gardens at Oxford escaped from its van at Blackheath, ignored the police constables' traffè-", signale, and was arrested and. placed in the celib at Blackheath Rond Police station.
'The traffic was 'held up 'at Black- hoath Hill when the crane, with al sèrica of long hops, crossed the road, went into South Street, then to Egerton Road, and finally got back into Blackheath Road.
It was captured only after an ex- citing chase through many alde streets. Three policemen and a civilian eventually managed to en-. tice it into a four sack, in which it was taken to the police station. There it was put into one of the
Soon after the van driver arrived to report the loss and the bird was duly transported to Oxford.
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