1929-05-01 — Page 2

Page

WHIPPET

FOURS & SIXES

INCREASED POWER

LONGER WHEEL BASE

CHROMIUM PLATED RADIATORS

LONGER SPRINGS

GREATER BEAUTY

And LOWEST PRICES in their respective classes

SHOWROOM SERVICE STATION

DISTRIBUTORS

"DURO" MOTOR CO., LTD.

NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON. GILMAN & CO., LTD.

WILLYS-OVERLAND FIRE ESCAPES PAYS

IN STRONG POSI- FOR ITSELF IN

TION.

THREE DAYS,

STRATEGICAL PLACE IN

INDUSTRY."

2.500 DAILY OUTPUT IN 1899.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1929..

MOTOR NOTES

MOTOR MOUNTAIN- NOTES FROM GREAT

EERING.

BRITAIN.

An Affront to the Publie.

Dealing with Mr. Churchill's at titude towards the deputation that waited on him recently, The Motor has this editorial comment:-

The full story of the recent ascent of Table Mountain by an Austin Sesen makes atirring reading" Experts were agreed that the task was impossible; and the pressmer who accompanied the expedition described it as "a matering night, in receiving this deputation, Mr. Churchill could not find it pos- sible to be moderately sympathetic, ability of hoing tolerably polite he might have considered the desir.

mare."

Mr. Ronald Jones, who piloted naturally elated that he has thus the sturdy little British car, is

even if he could not be reasonably accurate, Motoring, to day, is not the privilege of a class, for the whole comm laite hto rely upon road transport in one or other of its forms.

succeeded in establishing a remark able all-British record. He is not connected with the motor trade in any way, but is, however, an en- thusiastic mountaineer and had often discussed with his friend, Mr. An immediate return on capital | Kenneth Campbell of the Mountain is a state of affairs highly desired | and Alpine Clubs of South Africa, yet rarely achieved, and in this the advisability, desirability, and cnnection the Eull City Police possibility of a road being con Fire Brigade must be congratulat-tructed to the top of Table Moun-case it may he thought that those

g themselves on their foresight in win.

such a rond been mooted. The sug providing themselves with one of More than 20 years before had gestion, like that of a Channel Tunnel, had evidently been “sat

The year 19 nds the Willesh most modern of fire fighting Overland Company in the strongest position in its 21-year history, Armly entrenched in its position of quality leader in the light car feld, and prepared to meet every form of competition on a sound basis.

1927.

་་

on but Mr. Jones believed that if he could take a car to the top

and recorded, than would the powers-that-be begin to realise that more than a modicum of common. ense lay behind the road sugges. tion. If one car could conquer the mountain (although experts agreed the feat was impossible)," then assuredly officialdom might pre- ftably turn its attention to the pro blem of opening the Mountain to the feet of the world. Up and down the rugged alopes went Jones and Campbell, studying the bridle deciding that, given the right car, paths and mule tracks, and finally the task could be accomplished.

Turntable Escape." Appliances-the "Leyland **** Metz Within a few days of delivery of this escape a disastrous fire broke out in Hull, which destroyed and have the feat properly observed shops and offices and but for the Both from a manufacturing stand. turntable escape, according to the point and from the standpoint of official report, it would have been its sales organisation, every indica. impossible to turn the flames as tion points to 109 as a new record they spread along the Paragon for the Toledo manufacturer, even Chambers, As it was, the roof surpassing the past twelve months caught fire, but the escape enabled which found Willys-Overland lead the brigade to reach it and play ing the entire automobile industry a powerful jet of water on the Sre na whale in per cent. of gain over in an effective manner. The escape worked without a fault, and accord- This remarkable position won bying to the Fire Chief, has proved Willys-Overland in 1029 started the

its worth in a very short time. first of the year with the drastic one immediately understands why To is the apparatus in action, Whippet price cuts, which brought this Leyland appliance has been the greatest being demand in the designated as the "Almost Human' Company's entire history. The Escape." Every movement is me sales growth continued throughout chanicaly operated but no controll- the year, and each month saw the ed that under do possible combina company establishing new sales re-tion of circumstances can the salety corda.

limit be exceeded," except. by de The demand for the Willys-Over-liberale intervention of the opera land products surpassed the expectator in case of emergency. It wil tions of the executives, and early in extend to 85 feet, revolving and the year it was necessary to im inclining itself, at the same time mediately launch" into a programme automatically taking charge of the of expansion that would enable the plumbing of the ladder, if the production of a greater number of clinssis is on an inclination. Should ears, each month finding the com- the ladder strike an obstacle, the pany with thousands of unfilled unmediate and automatic stopping ordere og its books.

of the ladder prevents further damage.

•

Facilities were added in the various plants of the company "in

LUXURY, SPEED AND SAFETY.

Similar escapes have recently been order to materially increase its ear put into commission by Manchester, building, schedules. This required Huddersfield, Bolton, Birkenhead, the erection of plant additions Birmingham, Dundee, Newport, and the installation of additional Wakefield, Wigan and Swansea machinery. As the year wore on

Fire Brigades. the company's daily car capacity was increased & per cent. over the capacity of the previous year, and for the new year will be capable of turning out over 2,000 cars & day.

In these modern" times when everything is and has to be done From the moment the Whippet in a hurry, it is essential that one price-cut was announced, placing can travel about quickly and in the Whippet cars in direct price comfort. In nearly every town the competition with the lowest-priced Corporation has changed or is cars in the world, the company was changing from flooded with dealer applications The business man going to work, trams to 'buses. from every section of the country the woman going shopping need secking the Willys-Overland fran chise. As a result the company's dealer organisation during the year was increased by more than 50 per

Flooded With Orders..

•

the

inexperienced rider to run off the road altogether.

Advertisers should not be per- mitted to make capital out of the needs of travellers by night; there would be a fine fuss it some of them started laying down illuminated buoys up the Thames Estuary, and there would be a mighty confusion of shipping. The road should, be no less sacred. I cannot see, either, that the glare put out by some of the filling stations is likely to in- grease their trade, and that matter, the authorities." too, might have the attention of

Grass-track Racing.

There is much to be said in favour of grasstrack racing, says Motor Cyrling, both from the point of view of the competitor, the specta Flouting a deputation ropre tor and also the manufacturer: At senting road transport industries least one to day will do neither Mr. Churchill known to have expressed regret motor-cycle maker is nor the Government any good. Is that a gas-track hoom did not take the place of the present craze constituting, the deputation" were for cinder racing, on the grounds motoring institutions. merely representatives of private that all the lessons of grass-track would racing tend to improve the machine point out that in addition to the for ordinary everyday use, whereas there were representatives of all what freakish and specialized de well-known motoring organizations dirt tracks obviously develop some sections of the motor Jadustry and signs. For this very reason the allied trades present. well as average clubman finds it much omnibus arrogations, commercial easier and cheaper to ride on the motor users, in fact, every branch grass than on the cinders, since his of road transport in its widest ordinary sports model should prove sense, Actually, the deputation 're- extremely suitable for the former presented not only users of private. type of event and would probably

be quite useless on a dirt track.

We

ly owned motor vehicles, but those other associations and federations which are concerned in conserving the business of road travel and the transport of goods and food to the doors of the people.

It was, therefore, representing the community, generally, and that being so it was to the public as it whole that Mr. Churchill's vitriale reply applied and to whom his de Eberate and calculated affront was directed."

Encouraging the Development of Alternative Fuels.

To avoid users of road transport being left at the mercy of the petrol combines it is essential that every possible son.ce of satisfactory alter native fuel should receive the most careful investigation and encourage

Heavy oil does not at present, interest the commercial-vehicle operator to any considerable ex- tent, but it is likely to do so in the adopted on many vehicles. near future if heavy oil engines be

As a spectacle grass racing may not be so thrilling as the "speed- way." but it is essentially a day. light and week-end sport, and as such provides amusement for many enthusiasts under healthy and plea sant conditions in the open air.

was done by contract, and this is the first occasion on which they have purchased a motor lorry of their own. Several makes were considered, but the company decid ed in favour of an Albion three- tonger.

Roland Jones spent much thought

ALBIONS IN NEW ZEALAND the final inspiration he says-eam upon this question of a car and

Albions have always been among Baby Austin." An Austin it was to him in the night- Why not a

the most popular British commer- eizl vehicles Overseas, and have al week before he started on and Mr. Jones only drove the ear

ways been in great favour in New Zealand, where they are used not memorable ascent.

only by a large number of Govern- The climb itself! Who should

ment Departments, but also by attempt to describe such a journey

many well-known business firms. Every foot a fight and every inch

A repeat order for a two-ton vehicle a thrill. "A motoring nightmare."

has just been received from the says the representative of the Capement, Argus. "A remarkable feat and

State Coal Department of Christ- such as to command the greatest relopment says The Emercial Albion at the beginning of list Perhaps the most promising de-church, who purchased their first admiration for this great little

Motor, is that of the low tempera car. car. AVY the Natal Witness, ture carbonization of coal, by which One of the latest additions to the The lower slopes of the Mountain large quantities of heavy oil and list of Albion users in Wellington are of granite rock formation and petrol are likely to be obtained if is the Gear Meat Preserving & the Austin had to be skidded over the processes be eventually carried Freezing Co., one of the biggest boulders, skirmished round them,

out on a really important scale, and "cold storage and freezing companies driven up planks and over them.particularly if the refineries be in New Zealand. There came a gulley to which there situated close to the pitheads, so all the cartage work of this firm Until recently was no bridge. The path, too, was that transport charges on the coal not wide enough for the small body can he rendered negligible, of the little car. Mr. Jones per formed with a stonemason's ham- mer, knocking away the sharp edges of the rock until there was just planks were laid across the gulf and room for the car to pass. The

Thrills Moments when a skid of the car passed over in triumph.

two inches would have sent the car hurtling to destruction, times when

Cutting Road Transport Rates, At the present juncture of events, had the whole peninsula spread out striving against many adverse fac. Ronald Jones, in the driver's seat,

when the road-transport industry is beneath him whilst the back wheels tors, of which the most important safe and speedy transport, and raced for grip. The crossing of 'Lus builders have realised this Cecilia, Gorge accomplished inch by in the rates charged for goods and are the reductions in railway fares, fact and are all striving to turn inch whilst the right-hand wheels out really fine jobs.

material conveyed by rail. were actually slipping over the greatly increased taxation (both of passenger vehicles, Leyland Motors, mar, perspiring dreadfully and recent increase in the price of fuel vehicles and fuel) and, finally, the similar dealer growth.

The work of re-designing the combination of speed, safety and

Ltd have certainly achieved a grimly earnest, races to obtain itself, there is a great temptation Whippet Fours and Sixes was begun luxury. Both the Tiger

focus for pictures with a thrill

for the operator to cut his own a year ago, during which time ex-.“ Titan,"

and

It was 6:30 in the morning when

rates below what may be termed haustive

Company's six- tests and experiments were conducted by the Willys-Over-buses, are capable of speeds of 50 turned into the last stretch of the

start" was made, but it was late the economic figure. There need cylinder single and double deck the afternoon before the car

be no serious objection to a slight land technical staff, bringing to a miles per hour, a speed which can track which presented better going Commercial Matur, but we would reduction in profits, states The point of perfection the exclusive he attained smoothly and silently, as the summit of the mountain mechanical features incorporated in in a very short space of time by Blattened out.

warn users most seriously against the new cars,

Nearly 11 heurs any further cutting than is entailed The body-designing was under the son of the flexibility of their climbing, six miles of rugged moun by this.

six-cylinder engines. Sprung on supervision of a man who is reco long chrome vanadium springs and against every conceivable difficulty, running vehicles at prices which are tain paths, half a day's battling Nothing but harm can result from nized as one of the foremost artists fitted with power operating four and yet a combination of grim de aot only unremunerative but actual and who is credited with the creat truly been described by a leading ing won through. in the entire automobile industry, wheel brakes, these vehicles have termination and British engineer-ly involve dipping into reserves, ing of the present-day style of

Only four reducing the amount normally put motor journal as: beauty and sparkling colours adopt of luxury at the cost of an ordin- journey and although the entire such, so culled, economies per life, "A revelation gallons of petrol were used on theby for depreciation and effecting ed by practically every car manu- facturer."

ary 'bus fare.”

climb, excepting the first and last ning tyres beyond their proper hundred yards, was accomplished utilizing cheaper fuels and oils, and on bottom gear, the engine never

keeping to a minimum the attention given to chassis and bodies. for its possible needs did duty in Assuaging the thirst of the party instead..

cent., and every indication tends to In producing its new types of edge, and all the time the camera

show that the new year will find a

Mechanical Excellencé.

the

Throughout the past two and a ROUND THE WORLD ON AN overheated and the water carried

half years that the original Whippet

has been on the market it hasi established an outstanding reputa-

AUSTIN 7,"

tion for mechanical excellence. The Miss Gladys M. de Haviland, company's decision to add to this who left England in October on a mechanical superiority new and world toll in a Baby Austin, ar larger "bodica of a type of beauty rived at Wellington, New Zealand, that sets a new iden of quality and on January 14 after driving about artistry in the low priced field. 15,000 miles across America and hay a wreck." He found that the Aus from the ranks; one who has, on a places the Whippet models in a ing all sorts of excitement on the distinctly individual class, as were way. She left England with the original Whippets two and a friend, Miss Eley, but both con half years ago, because of their ad tracted influenza in America and vanced features, new to the light Miss Eley was unable to continue, .car field.

"I am feeling a wee bit lonely," Shipments of the new Superior Miss de Havilland confessed on ar- Whippet models were begun early | riving-in New Zealand.

in December and found the com- In America crowds' surrounded pany's vast dealer organisation in the little car every time it stopped an admirable position to launch into and numerous questions were asked the new year's work."

as to mileage, performance and so "Willys-Overland's ability to meet on. The Mojave Desert, 425 miles, every form of competition is seen was the most difficult part of the in the splendid financial position of trip. After N.Z. Miss Havilland the company, together with its in- goes to Australia. creased manufacturing facilities, operation of its own body-building

plant, extensive installation of time many manufacturing economics that and labour-saving machinery, in have been effected during the ex creased dealer organisation, and pansion period of the past twelve (Continued at foot of next column),, months,

The Perfect Motorist, It is interesting to note that Mr.

Miss Victoria Worsley, one of Jones made the return journey in

the most experienced women motor one hour and 35 minutes: A presand Cyclecar, says she is of the drivers, writing in The Light Car man went to make inspection of the car that he expected to be "almost pinion that the perfect motoriet ehould be one who has graduated hig main aad, ridden a cycle and a motor-cycle, driven a lorry, drivent a farm cart, led a restive horse on tarmac, driven gigs along and taken children for a walk-certainly a wide experience. She feels that those who have practised these try- ing arte before becoming motorists can get more amusement and inci- dent out of a long run than out of many novels, movica or plays!

of

tin both started and functioned per- feetly and was given the privilege streets in the little veteran that had driving around. Capetown's so gamely made motoring history.

ABERDEEN BUYS 'BUSES.

Aberdonians have a reputation for being hard-headed and for always getting fall value for money. It is not surprising, there fore, that when the question of purchasing more 'buses came up for consideration recently, & con- siderable discussion ensued. In the end a decision by a considerable majority was taken in favour of purchasing Albion vehicles, and 10 32-passenger chassis were ordered.

Lighting Confusión.

A contributor to Motor Cycling considers that illuminated road- side advertising ought to be re- stricted by law. Some of the signin that one sees are highly confusing, and so much so, in some circum stances, that they might induce the

12 H.P.

WILLYS

KNIGHT

CARS & TRUCKS.

SHOWROOM "DURO" MOTOR CO., LTD. SERVICE STATION NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON,

DISTRIBUTORS :-GILMAN & CO., LTD.

مرام

ROUND AUSTRALIA again, and had to face the worst conditions experienced during the journey. ON A MOTOR

CYCLE.

SINGLE-CYLINDER MACHINE'S FINE PERFORMANCE.

Deep and, through which cars. cannot proceed without being towed by mule teams, had to be fought for many weary miles, while the exceedingly rough. going through the Kimberleys was In addition, the Fitzroy River had to be forded, which the Ariel, for which no re- placements For the first time in history, a necessary, did under its own power. whatever had been single-cylinder motor cycle has beenNear Broome. ridden right round the Continent more overtook him. of Australia under its own power. The driver was an amateur, Mr. only those who know the terrible in hospital. Immediately he was fit crash pinned him beneath the Geoffrey Munro, of Sydney, and machine and his leg was badly burnt, which meant, another week conditions which had to be faced can have any idea of the hardships again he set off for Perth, and which had to be overcome during Australia he "found the R.A.C sign during the trip through Western this 2,000 mile ride.

use.

misfortune

once

On an All-British Ariel Motor posts of the greatest imaginable Cycle, the ronte WAN Brisbane,

The Ariel, which was the first- Cloncurry, Camooweal, Newcastle 1903 model landed in Sydney, be- Water. Darwin, Broome, Marble Bar, Ph, Adelaide, Melbourne,

haved in the most marvellous and ba to Sydney Many and Apart from the rider, 71 gallons of

manner throughout the journey.. varied were Munro's adventures.

From Sydney to Brisbane the petrol, 1 gallons of oil, gallons leaving Brisbane, 450 miles of the blankets, clathes, food, etc., were going was fairly good, but after of water and a very heavy kit of dreaded "black soil "

carried, ahd' yet no mechanical country. which is generally admitted to be trouble of any sort was experienced. impassible after rain, had to be of the sections traversed it would, If any fault Sad developed in many traversed. When Muare struck it, rain had been falling steadily for in all probability, have meant death 14 days and it continued to teem from lack of food and water, as down during the whole fortnight he

great tracta were crossed hundreds struggled and fought the mid. A of miles from human habitation and eraah necessitated a week in hos entirely without water. pital, and immediately afterwards more difficulties arose.

That such an adventurous journey was successfully accomplished re- The country was very cut up

flects the greatest credit on Munro's owing to carting operations, and for grit and endurance, and speaks mile after mile the machine had to volumes for the fine construction run in a blinding cloud of alkali, and sturdy reliability of the stand- dust, and yet it never faltered. The ard Ariel machine. stretch on to Darwin was in ter

rible condition and twice Manro got lost on the barren plains, I

DETECTION.

which stretch away as far is the BRITISH CARS FOR CRIME eye can see, with no sign of human life or vegetation to break their monotony.

Skidded Into a Tree.

The wonderful achievements of Scotland Yard in the prevention of crime and the apprehension of criminals, are world-famous and in this connection the employment of the celebrated Flying Squad has proved of the greatest succese.

Hardly was the intrepid rider out of hospital again, as a result of skid into a tree, than he was down again with malaria: but disregard ing his physical disabilities, he pushed on to Darwin, where he was

It is therefore interesting to learn forced to remain for five weeks as

that the work of that Squad is to a result of malaria. When he had ther employment of

be even more speeded up by the fur- shaken the fever of be set out powered-British cars."

new high-

Now

is the time,

to buy your Car.

Austin

CARS

are famous throughout the

world for Speed, Comfort, Economy and Reliability.

ALEX. ROSS & CO.

(CHINA), LTD.

PRINCE'S BUILDING.

TEL. C..27.

KOWLOON GARAGE & SHOWROOM.

TEL. K. 1486.