1929-10-09 — Page 2

21

2

MOTORING IN AMERICA.

The following article by Mr. C. -W. Merton, appearing in the Auto- car, gives sonte interesting impres sions of American motoring con. ditions:

Judging from the motors one sees, Fifth Avenue is to-day quite indistinguishabir from Piccadilly or the Champs Elysées. Every newly fledged Wall Street million- Rice appears to have celebrated his 'winaings with a Rolls, Hispano, or Mercedes-or half a dozen of them. The favourite effect seems to be a trifling lady on a huge chassis, thus demonstrating that money is object, and that a Rolls is, after all, quite a nice little ear.

no

Several custom-built, cabriolets on a long wheelbase Cadillac chassis are to be seen, and compare very favourably in appearance with the

· best from your side. American coachwork, however, is still suffer ing from the timidity and conser- vatism of its designers, with a con- Bequent loss of rakishness and novelty.

An Englishman boys an Hispano, the American n Rolls, and the. Frenchman a Packard. Such den sions are on a par with that deter mination to be "smart" that causes the 'on m'a dit schont of “society

journalists to borrow the langunge of two or three countries to give their writings "tone." By this token your international motor nd- viser, couching his announcements in imported language, should make a vast impression on his readers. Tet the Briton us the American list, and rice veran

American.

Transmission.

Windshield.

British: Saloon, Silencer. Gear box. Buffer. Wing. Windscreet. Hood.

Sedan

Maffler.

Bumper.

Fender.

Top.

Spark plug.

Truck.

Lorry.

GRA

Petrol.

Crank came.

Sump.

Roadster,

Rumble nest.

Generator.

Lights.

High (gear).

Wrench

Hood.

Sparking plug.

Two-seater, Dickey. Dynamo. Lamps. Top,

Spanner. Bonnet.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1929.

MOTOR NOTES.

This list upon scrutiny, seems to exhibit few distinctions between the two countries. In each column cer- tain meanings are obvious, uthers] absoure, and abridgments appear to be about equal. Philologists must split their hairs elsewhere, evident- ly

Even aber old Boston has suc cumbed to the American passion for

f

|

DEFENDED

"

Commenting on the recent Report of the Royal Commission on Trans-

It sounds uninteresting, save for YOUTHFUL MOTORCYCLISTS A SENSIBLE SUGGESTION.. speed possibilities, but the traveller of this stretch must necessarily enjoy himself, for he is hended for either the snowicapped Sierra and the Yosemite Valley, or the cypress trees and booming surf of the Mon- terey Peninsula!" It is a magni- ficent region, and worth at least six of Hollywood and Los Angeles com- bined.

enormous taxi-caba The new year Cross-country motorists in Ameri- food of new (ca. if discreet, will avoid all hotels and pass their nights at the farm- houses and private homes where the Rooms for Tourists' signs are displayed. To-day doe can almost creas the United States in this manner.

saw Boston traffe well-nigh sub- merged under a cabs, so large and gaudy that one hesitates to hail them for anything short of an afternoon's tour. They are about 175 inches long, painted A sumptuous green with silvered bonnet, and at first glance look like La Salles Sad to say, however, they are lamentably underpowered

1

Commenting upon the Report of the Royal Commission on Transport, The Light Car and Cyclecar says one of the most important port, which recommends an increase

sections of the Report is that which from 14 years to 16 years in the minimum age for holding a licence says that the Minister of Trans- *q

part, should undertake full in- into the cause of accidents darasghout the country and issue periodical returns which would sup-

formation available in connection At the present time the only in

with the reason why accidents.occur

MOTORCYCLISTS PREFER

SILENCE.

RECORD. BREAKING

FEAT.

PRESIDENT EIGHT'S FINE ACHIEVEMENT.

!

On Auglist Studebaker cele- " brated the first anniversary of the record breaking feat of the Presi dent Eight which sped 30,000 miles in 20,320 consecutive minutes on the Atlantic City Speedway last year, according to Arvid L. Frank, Sales Manager of The Studebaker Pierce- Arrow Export Corporation.

Remarking upon the increasing tendency for motorcyclists in Eng- land and Scotland to make their machines run as quietly as possible, Motor Cycling says that silence has come at last to be appreciated as virtue in itself as distinct from a

The anniversary of this pheno- means of keeping within the law. The writer of, the article in ques

menal demonstration of endurance tion points out that this happy and speed, without equal in his state of affairs so far has not ex- tended to Ireland where noisy 'rid-

tory, is all the more impressive in- is to be had from Metropolitan Po-ing is still in favour, whilst a sun-

asmuch as twelve months have pass- records and from reports

lar state of affairs exists all over

ed without the Presidents' achieve- the continent of Europe. The re voluntarily supplied by coroners to the National Safety-First As- niark is made that this is rather ment being even approached, much sociation. Clearly such reports surprising in 1929, for no kind of | less duplicated,” he said.

mechanism exists to-day the merit

·cannot be comprehensive, and it is,

This outstanding run, made be- pay other standard than the silence not only celipped all previous auto- of its operation.

motive achievements, bat found a paralel for sustained speed only in the fight of comets, motears und automobile ever travelled so far other heavenly bodies. No other so fast. This amazing feat won for Studebaker it world, 93 inter national and 115 official American stock car records for speed and endurance.

drive a motorcycle, Motor Cycl ing points out that there scom, to be no grounds for making this change. It is pointed out that in the Report the Commission admitsply definite information, that comprehensivo accident statis ties are not at present obtainable, and it is therefore suggested that any change in the minimum age for holding a driving licence should be deferred until the Commission's recommendations in connection with the compilation of data have only accident statistics obtainable are compiled from information re- turned by the Metropolitan Police National Safety-First Association. The Commission's suggestion is that the Minister of Transport in fu ture should compile comprehensive statisties of the causes of all road accidents.

for all their size, and my private is always directly on the road you been given effect. At present the in fact, generally agreed that they of which is judged superficially by tween July 21 and August 9, 1028,

suspicion, is that their motors are identical with those of their wheez- ing predecessors.

Leave your car in the barn or private garage; your stopping place

the baggage (luggage, I believe); no Are travelling; don't worry about tips, no walking, no garage fee,

are not.

Motorists will appreciate that section of the Report of the Royal

At that it must give a forcian and a good dinner, room, and and from coroners' reports to the Commission on Transport which

motorist something of a jolt to hail a cab (sixpence for the first quarter mile), and step into as immaculate Packard flower vast, heater, as trays and all (à good many of these last in New York).

breakfast for about 10s, per person. Competition is brisk between the landlords, and one is assured of a pleasant and inexpensive night on the road. A bath is always avail able.

I don't know how your men are American cab-drivers either own doing it, but the present day tyre their own cabs or operate on fifty-repair shop of this country seems fifty shares with the cal company. to be equipped with a most amaz- Financing is easy, and most of them ingly complete variety of labour are in the former category, Tips, saving equipment. accordingly, have not the Con- tinental significance, save on wet nights after the theatre. At such times a man in a hurry would do well to stand at the kerb and hold

Almost any small shop, for ex- ample, possesses a device which sub merges an inflated tube, all parts simultaneously, in a round tank of water. Also, a crank-operated device which contracts rims with a minimum of time and effort, and a bigger hurry unfurls a ten-dollar pedal-controlled pair of hands

which spread a casing apart, hold for nails or defects. Unlike many Inbour-savers, these contrivances are really worth their cost.

few Elling stations, much in the manner of Versailles or the Taj Mahal. A Frenchman, patron of the battered pump owned by the épicerie or debis de tabac, would swoon away at such an affair as, for instance, a station at Colorado Springs.

treats of the question of cross-road

dangers, says The Light Car and Cyclecur. The question of roads being graded in accordance with their degree of importance, so that at junctions traffic on the less im portant road may give way to traffic on the more important road is one of first-class importance. The Report recommends that at cross-roads traffic on the less im portant highway should be enjoin- ed to drive dead slow, whilst dri- vers on the more important road would have merely to exercise or- dinary caution.

was checked by A.A.A. officials armed with split second calculating

machines.

"The leading roadster crossed the finishing line at 127 pm August 8, having averaged 68.37 miles per hour in 28,326 consecutive minutes of total elapsed time. The other roadster finished 3 minutes later averaging 88.38 miles per hour.

The sedans average 64.15

and 63.00 miles per hour respective

by

"Among the features of equip Legislation embodying this "re. I ment on the Presidents which came commendation would defnitely put in for a considerable amount of a check upon cross-roads accidents observation during the record break- by removing the rather senseless ing ran were the ball bearing spring

is the 30,000-mile run were certified "The Presidents which took part strictly stock models. Prior to the run, representatives of the Ameri- can Automobile Association visited

the Studebaker factory and picked

two President Eight Sedans - and two President Roadster models at random from the assembly line. These cars were officially sealed. speedway under A.A.A. supervision,

"The cars were driven to the

British sports ear owners woulding it while the interior is searched ing to fill the radiator, inspect the system of warning signs at pre-shackles pioneered on its cars by and here they were torn down, so

aloft a five-dollar bill-which works very well until some other man in bill.

find a lunatic's paradise en the stretch just cast of Salinas, Caff fornia, which leads to Merced, For about a hundred miles the road traverses in a straight line of smooth concrete a barren, thinly settled region, used principally for the grazing of vast herds of sheep.

+

When an American oil magnate finds himself hard-pressed to get rid of his surplus he simply builds

(Continued on next Column).

new

The ISIS SIX

sent indiscriminately erected, and by providing a highly necessary. system of warnings at points where they are really required.

Here is a vast corner, with velvet turf and immaculate drives, oc- cupied by what looks like a Geor gian manor house. Eight glittering glass pumps, dozens of varieta rush- pil and test the tyres. Like bottles in a royal nursery, long rows of speckless jars, each with its parti- cular grade of oil, await Lorenzo in his Ford or Chevrolet. Water is rushed into radiators by & magni- firent trigger nozzled host, wielded PASSED WITH HONOURS. by a flunkey in dazzling whites." Free roud maps, ·✡ lavatory of blinding cleanliness and Ritz Carlton dimensions, ice water-let me se, have I left out anything? No, there was no orchestra and no fountains.

And while I took aboard ten gallons there, I was the only cus temer in the place.

Studebaker." Mr. Frank concluded.

The ahackles were found to be functioning at the close as quietly as the day the cars started.

each part could be checked against stock car specifications. It is worthy of note that at the end of the gruelling run--30,000 miles of Studebaker is justly proud of the most stringent testa any motor the phenomenal achievement of its

car has been given-all the seals on President Eight. It represents the roadsters were still intact. gineering genius and precision work. manshin carried to the heights of perfection. The cars which took part in the run were standard fully "Did you pass everything" in eouipped stock cars such as are quired his anxious parent.

sold through dealers the world over, "Everything but a sports Bent- No wonder then that Studebaker ley and a racing Sunbeam, and they owners are satisfied owners, carry. were going like smoke. Contacting the fare of Studebaker to the

far-corners of the world."

Term had closed and the young college student returned home by car.

in The Mator.

"For 10 days and 18 nights those President Eights roaded around the track. Fourteen drivers piloted the cars turn and turn about. Through rain, sunshine, and heat the Stude bakers plunged ahead, halting only at intervals for fuel, oil, and tyres. Every lap of the 13 mile speed bowl (Continued at preceding column).

SALOON

£378.

christened after the river-

to symbolise effortless energy

J

"UST the sort of magnificent saloon .. three-quarters of the motoring world have envied, without being able to afford. But now, Morris manufacturing methods have enabled this luxury car, a car of effortless energy and speed, to be sold for only £ooo.

18b.p. R.A.C. (developing 54 b.h.p.), an. ofh-valve engine doing from 6 to 60 on top, and giving zo miles to the gallon.

Ample clearance for all road conditions. Feel how the road shocks are cushioned out, how the Isis responds to the lightest touch on controls placed where hand or foot wants them. Feel the smooth power of the brakes-Lockheed hydraulic four- wheel brakes. This is the Six that will be seen on, all the roads this coming Summer. Try it, and be one of the first to buy it..

THE HONGKONG HOTEL GARAGE

· (HONGKONG "AND, BHARGHAT KOTİMS, LTD.)

HONG KONG.

PRODUCT OF MORRIS MOTORS (1928) LTD,

CHAIRMANI SIR WILLIAM R. MORRIS, BT,

Have you seen

the

NEW

CHEVROLET?

Everybody is talking about the New Chevrolet.

Never in actomobile history has there been a more sensational event than the advance showing of the New Chevrolet. Wherever you go, you hear the question: "Have you scan the New Chevrolet?" Some talk about its beauty. Some of its marvellous performance. Some of ita astonishing value. But all agree that it is "The Outstanding Chevrolet of Chevrolet history."

As you walk around this Six in the price range of the four, note how its beauty has been heightened by the new hood, the new radiator, and the 15 narrow louvres-how fisher craftsmen, who make body-building an art, have provided a measure of style, distinction and roominess that rivale costly custom creations.

Then when you Inspect the chassis and engine you will discover feature after feature of advanced engineering once thought impossible to provide except la the highest priced care --- features that contribute immeasurably to comfort, safety, durability, ease of handling.

No wonder so many thounds who were contemplating buying more expensive cars decided to buy the New Chevrolet

As you sit behind its big, handsome wheel, you too will want to set its nose towards the open road and GO! And it will not disappoint son. Four bere is all the delightful smoothnos which has created the preference for the air cylinder engine-made all the more marvellous by greatly increased power, high speed and thrilling new swiftness of acceleration.

And as you drive the New Chevrolet throughout the year, you will realize that Chevrolet reputation for economical fuel consumption and upkeep is more pronounced than ever before,

We cordially invite you to see it in our showrooms to-day.

CHEVROLET

A Six at the Price Range of Four

The Outstanding Chevrolet

of Chevrolet History

THE HONGKONG HOTEL GARAGE

25, Queen's Road Central,

Tel. No. C. 4759.

The New Chevrolet Roadster of most modern design.