1928-05-16 — Page 10

10

MOTORING

GALLANT 8 H.P. SINGER.

HIS FEAT.

NOTES

(CONTD.)

READER'S EXPERIENCE OF AN ERSKINE.

'FRANK OPINION.

5,671 MILES IN 144 HOURS.

I have used one of these cars in connection with my business for MR. E. W. DEELEY EXPLAINS the past five or six months, during which time it has covered 16,888 miles. It is absolutely reliable and a good starter, but judicious use Mr. E. W. Deeley, manager of of the carburetter choke must be the Aylesbury Mutor Co., and an made: this is gained by experience. enthusiastic Singer agent, has an had the engine decarbonised at optimistic outlook upon life. His love for tackling difficult tasks with a minimum of fuss and preparation recently induced him to attempt to drive a two-seater 6 h.p. Singer car from London to Edinburgh and back within 24 hours, and despite the extraordinarily adverse weather conditions he came within a few minutes of success. Within the last few days he and three comrades have driven the same baby car con tinuously for six days and nights at the Montihery, track, covering the astounding distance of 5,671 miles

in 144 hours.

When a Midland Daily Telegraph representative spent an entertaining hour in his company, Mr. Deeley told the story of his latest adven

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 16th, 1928.

about 6.000 miles, but there was very little deposit. It has not been treated since, and is running per fectly. The engine does not be come noisier with wear, but it was never very quiet at speeds above 20 m.p.h. or so. The steering lock much too hot on a hot day. Have is very good. The front seats are had trouble with brakes in my par- ticular car, but this is the only real eleven tyres to date, and, three more cause for complaint. Have used.

are down to the canvis. Makers eem unable to put brakes right. Except for this I am extremely satisfied with the car. After near- 1y 13,000 miles of rough going and high speeds with very little atten-

on the car is running as sweetly now as when new. I strongly re ture with an amusing air of un-commend fitting shock absorbers concern. He might have been dis.( 78, extra), as bounce is liable cussing a Sunday afternoon ramble, to occur, at 40 m.p.h. upwards.- and Mrs. Decloy, who took the ROY CAMPBELL wheel during nearly 45 hours of the run, seemed to regard it as little more than a tedious interlude. Actually they had performed a re- peridd of 41 hours the ice was so markable feat, and had given their treacherous that the little vehicle! little Coventry car a test which call was held up. There was no arti ed for material confidence in" its feinl lighting on the track, and ad- abilities. They were rewarded when venturous times were soon experi- the little Singer ran practically enred. On the first evening a heavy all-out" continuously for six days gale swept around the track, making and nights, after which it was driven the car extremely difficult to drive, back, and when brought down from and tearing huge sheets of corrugat London to Coventry for examinationed iron from the roof of the grand- it touched 50 m.p.h.

stsad, sending them flying on and around the track.

A Challenge.

*

|

The Montlhery run was the out Bicknell became a victim to the During the second night, Mr. come of a challenge, accompanied by

mall wager-nothing approaching monotony of the task and fell asleep the £3,000 one which has been re at the wheel. The car crashed into ferred to in the London Press- the outer retaining wall, smashing thrown out by the inte managing wings and running board. The driver director of a well-known Italian awoke with a start, straightened motor fire. Mr. Deeley was asked out, and carried on. After two days if an 8 h.p Singer could be driven of gale-like weather, during which continuously for six days and the speed of the car varied between nights and covered 3,500 miles. The 25-55 m.p.h. on different parts of The Singer agent declared it could the course, the third and fourth be done hands down," and as a days were mild and spring-like. matter of fact eventually covered Then came snow, lying to a depth of the distance mentioned in two-3-3)ias., followed by extreme frast thirds of the time allowed! Such which turned the track into an ice- was Mr. Deeley's optimism that he rink. Driving became a matter of originally contemplated sharing the the greatest difficulty, and eventual. 14 hours task only with his wife, y, after numerous dangerous skids who is an experienced long-distance bad been rectified, it was found motorist, but he was later wise necessary to stop the run for nearly enough to enlist the services of Mr. five hours, Charles Graham (one of his sales- men) and Mr. R. Bicknell (one of the works managers of the Singer Company). With the exception of a Dunlop agent who assisted with the organisation, and a Frenchman to work their quick-filling B.P. pump, they had no staff, and did their own pit-work.

"

During this time brand new tyres. wero fitted in the hope of obtajn. ing a better grip, but they made no difference. Eventually the run was resumed, although it was found unsafe to drive at the previous speed. At one period ice formed on the wings to the depth of several inches, and had to be smashed off with a hammer. At the conclusion of the run the car was going as smoothly as did at the start, and nothing was done to it before com- Fencing the return journey.

The car, which was perfectly standard except for the 6tting of large headlamps and the dropping of the spare wheel, was driven to Newhaven, shipped to Dieppe, and : run ta Paris. When it arrived at the Montihery track it was crowded with baggage to the amusement of the French officials. At 0 p.m. on 2,000 Tuesday, December 27th, Mrs. Deeley took the wheel, and for the next six days and nights the baby Singer was driven around the track at a speed of between 42-43 m.p.h,

Gale, Ice, Snow And Darkness. Only when snow and ice made the track practically impossible, was this average reduced, "and for one (Continued on next Column),

3,000 4,000 *5,000 *3,300 $3,871

40.96 m.p.b. 39.23 m.p.b. 30.38 m.p.b.

70 58 35 04 46 14 199 2 281 - 140 10 62 141 0 0 *Hampered by ice and saw. The fastest lap of 49.6°m.o.h. was put up by Mr. R. Bicknell, while Mr. Decley had the longest spell at the wheel (eight hours).

MILAN-MUNICH AIR LINE.

BRITISH ENGINES CHOSEN.

do not rise as abruptly as on the

| southern side.

4

SHORT CIRCUris.

ELECTRICAL FIRE RISKS1

chance of such a dangerous occur rence! It really points to the fact that electrical equipment, despite

and convenience, is not in every case strictly fireproof, and in the interests of popular motoring, and alag that of the manufacturers of such equipment, it would be well whatever it is.

Immediately after leaving Milan the machine phases over Monza, the NEED THERE BE ANY its great development in efficiency famous motor..racing_track, and, a moment or two later the easterly leg of Lake Como comes into sight. In front_rise the majṣatio barriers of the Berganese Alps topped by high. The town of Sondrio is an

The remarkable experience related box on fire, which resulted in its

Although the distance from Milan to Munich is only 995 miles, the Mount Redorta nearly 10,000' It, by a motorist who found his awitch- to eliminate the dangerous factor, cable calculated: rafely to carry journey by air is probably one of the most difficult, but at the same easily found landmark with the destruction and might have destroy time picturesque, in Europe. The Avio Lines Italiane S.A. of Rome will shortly open this nir line with a fleet of Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engined Fokkers.

Milan is only 000 ft. above sea level and, as some of the Alps are over 19,000 ft. high, machines going north have only a few miles over the Italian plains in which to gain

height.

The rud south is not quite so severe because Munich is 3,000 ft above sea level and the mountains!

switchbox, considering the very low voltages which have to be provided for. Of course, it is not the voltage that does the damage, but the cur rent, and short-circuit, which in effect is " across the battery," may mean that anything up to 100 am peres of current is forced through 10 amperes-if so much. Anyway, A battery is essential to the the wire becomes red-hot and sets fire to the insulation," "A main fuse equipment, and the energy it the tains is instantly convertibls into can be used to protect all wiring intense heat, given the simple con- with the exception of the starter dition of a short-circuit. It is an i cable, which in any case ought safe- Green valleys and snow-clad moun- and cannot be eliminated or alter battery can discharge on "short" inherent property of the battery to carry more current than the taina follow each other in rapid ed; otherwise it would not perform circuit. succession, but gradually the coun-its functions. The crowding up of try seems to take on a less cruel connections in switchboxes and in and jagged appearance. The moun sufficient isolation of the positive tains drop away towards the and negative sides of the circuit are Bavarian border, and the last 20 points that previously have been miles further to Munich, the criticised. journey's end, is comparatively

as the prompts The Motor to ask why should there even be a Snow clad (Continued on next. Columa),

river road and railway jostling each other down a narrow valley running east and wes pinnacles and fields of jagged rock now give place to the pasture of the valleys and the journey pro gresses over the Bernina Pass that joins St. Morits with Tirand.

A few minutes later the stately Ortler, nearly 12,000 ft high, in seen gleaming white, with a trail of green pastureland to its west, indicating the approach of the highest metar road in Europe

"(Continued on next Column). tame.

The

It should not, however, be impos- isible to construct a really fireproof

an isolating switch to cut the bat What objection, also, is there to tery off from the wiring! True, it meana one more switch to manipu late, but many car owners would feel that the car was all the safer. if on putting it away there was no danger of an electrină! fire starting.

PERFECTED Whippet

is breaking sales records!

THE MOST VALUABLE CAR EVER OFFERED FOR

SO LITTLE MONEY

Nesp" Low Prices

H.K.

47 6 44

The main times put up were m Miles.

h. m2, s. aver. speed. 1,000

23 32 30 42.47 p.m.h. 42.45 m.p.h. 41.03 m.p.b. 42.2 m.p.h.

SEDAN (4-door)

Touring

$1,950 $1,550

Roadster ramble sot

Coupe - Cabriolet Coupe

(with

$1,720

$1,850 $1,850

Humber

Built for Satisfaction Overseas

་

THE product of one of the oldest Car Manufacturers in the United Kingdom, the Humber 9/20 H.P. Model represents all the fine traditions of British craftsman- ship. Its pleasing appearance, robust construction and dependable performance, are such as entitle its claims to be unexcelled for value among British Care available in the East

9/10 H.F. 3/5 Renter

H.P. "4-foster

14/40 B.P. 2-3 Seator

with Dickey Boat

with Diekey Sent

920 HP. Satter Tourer. Other Models of 20/55 HP. Dunlop Tyres and Front Whist Brakes Standard,

MOTOR CYCLES.H.P. O.H.V.

"Sporta Motor: Cycle is ¦ particularly suitable for riders overseas. The engine possesses a wide margin of power," and the "exire" construction” is of the strength "nocmsiry for use on indifferent ronda. The low saddle

· position gives exceptional stability and conidience: to the rider.

DEERE LID COVENTRY, ENGLAND.

Export Beach Oßce: $2, Holborn Viaduct, London, EC.z.

Hong Kong Agunta

MESSES, LANE, CRAWFORD LTD, Hong Kong

Public Preference Has Swung to this Modern Light Car of Proven Superiority

5-PASSENGER COACH

H.K.$1,850

Early 1928 Motor Salons show 86.4% gain in sales

Sluce our announcement of new low. prices on the high-quality Overland Whippet our showrooms have been more than ever before a great centre of public interest. Pro- spective motor car buyers, already familiar with the proven performance records of the Whippet, are quick to recognize that the Whippet is the greatest motor car value ever offered for so little money. Everyone is in- terested in seeing this Perfected Whippet.

Local Interest here is in keeping with the tremendous attention accorded the Whippet in other parts of the world.IntheUnited States during the period of January- February Motor Salons more than 2,000,000 people crowded into salon displays and show." rooms to examine the Whippet. Great numbers of them" left orders for^im-" mediate delivery.

221,991 TM visitors

·were, counted in

one week at one New York showroom in addition to the thousands who saw the Whip- pet at the salon display. And it is estimated that 100,000 more viewed the Willys-Over- land exhibit at Chicago. Sales during the salon in these and other cities were 86.4%" greater than at the same shows in 1927.

In the Perfected Whippet, added features of design, new items of equipment, enhanced beauty of line and colour, plus the radical price reductions raise the stand- - ard of light car value to a higher point. than ever before.

Only Whippet

Offers All These Features

Full Forca-Food Lu- brication with drilled crankshaft Stiane Timing Chain Patrol Tisk at Rear

Exceptional Economy Balloon Tyrer and

Snubbers

Adjustable Steering.

Post

LARGE 4-Wheel Brakes Single Plate Chitch

Amazing Speed and

Pick-up

Generous Leg Room

Banjo Type Rear Axle Modern Hotchkiss Delva Longer Connecting Rods

We invite you to come in and sea this modern, low-

• swung, graceful, roomy car which has proven its re- markable speed.. flexibility, hill- climbing ability, safety,comfortand unsurpassed econ omy in the hands of hundreds of thon- 'sands of owners.

The WHIPPET everywhere voted the leader in Beauty and Quality

Distributors for 5, China:

GILMAN & CO., LTD.

HONG KONG BANK BUILDING,

HONG KONG,

WILLYS-OVERLAND

Service Representatives:

DURO

FINE

MOTOR CO., LTD.

NATHAN ROAD,

KOWLOON.

MOTOR CARS