1930-01-01 — Page 2

CURRENT MOTOR TOPICS.

Professor A. M. Low, writing in.

The Motor states:-

"I have often wondered if a great-

er immunity from atmospheric weak.

ears could be secured.

and tear upon cars

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1930.

MOTOR NOTES.

by choosing substances which do not operating companies have to deali

so readily combine to form a bat.

[with some very funny claims. The tery when dipped into the relative other day, in a Midland town, a ly acid water produced by rainfall | lady, returning from a shopping in cities

"If east-iron, coppor, and even zine, are all exposed to rain, and worse atill, are allowed to temnin

brut- expedition, placed a round of ter on the heating apparatus of a modern city-service bus. First of all she complained to the, conductor

in contact with each other, it is that there was an unpleasant smell, to Le expected "that electrolysis in and, on discovering the reason for some form may take place. Most this, she went home and drafted changes, if not every change of out a claim for the loss sustained:" state which takes place in the world ie to electrical action, although we are as yet. unable, to define its precisa nature. When I read that a bridge, has been completed by the a silver rivet I am driving in of reminded that this metal is the last which should be chosen for such a

Motoring Red Tape, Amongst the recommendations made by the Automobile Associa tion in connection with the pro- posed new road traffic legislation 's that registration books should be scrapped. When these were first in

BLUE BIRD'S NEW ENGINE.

SECRET PLANS TO BEAT 231 M.P.H, RECORD.

DAYTONA CONTEST.-.

FIVE COMMANDMENTS OF THE ROAD.

WHAT IS DANGEROUS DRIVING?

One of the difficulties of the pro- moters of the new motoring Bill now nearly due in Parliament define dangerous driving, says the Motoring correspondent of a London paper. The task

to

I understand (writes Mr, Pember- world's record for the five mile tou in the Daily Express) that distance at Verneuk Pan. South Capain Malcolm Campbell, who has Africa. This wil give him about is challenged fate on more occasions 1,300 h.p. is making plans, for another at- ties, Captain Campbell's car cover- than any other living raping driver, Against almost incredible difficul tempt on the world's land speeded the mile on the Pan in one direc-is by no means an easy one. We Fecord.

tion at an average speed of 224 know that the 20-mile-an-hour speed m.p.k.

This news will come as surprise" to the mater-racing world.

I was generally believed that Captain Campbell had decided to rest on his well-earned laurels. He is now over forty years of age, young in the ordinary walks of life, but not so young for one of the biggest hazards a man can take.

Ahint that Captain Campbell

Again and again Captain Camp.limit is to go save in a few ex- bell has told me that he intended to ceptional circumstances and that give up attempts on this particular heavier penalties are to be inflicted record.

for driving to the common danger.

Life's Ambition.

He told me so years are at Pen dine when he established the then world's record of 150 m.p.h. Then he decided to go for a speed of three

ambition," he said. When I have

He achieved, is ambition. "I done it I shill quit."

But if the definition of driving to the common danger is to be left to| the judgment of the policeman, who

noble purpose. In the presence of troduced in 1920, says The Lightnight go to Daytona, in Florida, if miles a minut. "That is my like maybe has never driven a motor-

Car and Cyclecor, there were few February to compete for the record who believed that they would be of his given in a hulletin just issued

ear, the situation may well be worse. than it is at present.

This is why every effort is being

crown carried in the pocket with any value. On many subsequent by the United States Speed Contest" must have ole more shot at it," he made by the authorities to draw

sulphur silver commonly turns a dirty black, as in the ease of a half

piece of rubber. The coin of the realm is hardened by the admixture of other metals, and I must explain that if any metals could be obain ed in a state of chemical "purity electrical action might be difficult to secure.

3

・

Board.

Two Defenders.

occasions they have failed in their purpose and constitute merely a source of irritation. It is time. that the whole system connected with the registration books was

According to present arrange changed. Car ownership of recent years bas beco tending to become ments there will now be two British defenders at Daytona of the world's too irritating and the outlook of record of 231 m.p.h. set up by Sir the legislators seems to have been Henry Segrave this year. It is not not to make the possession of a caret definite whether there will be

any American challengers. more pleasant but more troubic-

I asked Captain Campbell if this were true. I do not wish to say anything about it at present," he told me. It is frue but that is ¦ all I can tell you.”

some.

Even if the rivets were poured into place, for the convenience of whoever presses the button, cuts the tape or breaks the bottle of cham- pagne, the difficulties of the en- gineering department would not be at an end. Silver has the rather quaint property of 'spitting when it is cast under certain con- ditions, für soon after it apparent ly solidifies it may spurt out in the manner of those delightful serpents which we light at Christmas time. "the recklessly incompetent driver

!

Facilitating Chassis Malatonance.

A close study of the new chassis at Olympia revealed the fact that, says The Commercial Motor, what ever other considerations have been in the minds of designers, the im- portance of easy, speedy and in

has been expensive maintenance paramount.

Certain makers have taken the bold step of discarding: old types and introducing new models de- signed simultaneously to make use

The fact has to be faced that filling in official forma will pot deter the unfit from driving cars if they have so little respect for the safety of the public as to do so; it ill not interfere with the activities of ear thieves and it will not keep"

of the roads. The way in which to deal with such problems is to treat motorists in the saune manner as other sections of the community-to make it known to them that they have cerinin obligations find to have to the police the task of ea forcing their observance upon the almost negligible number of those encerned who are not law-abiding people.

Focusing Headlights.

declared.

February 1928 found him at Day tona, raising the world's record to 206 m.p.h.

This was not enough. "I am not satisfiɖl with that speed," was | his excuse," the car can do more. shall hite one more shot, and then leaveit to younger men.""

So this year. after seeking a suitable pace to attempt the record in every corner of Europe, after flying to the heart of the Sahara.

after depatching a mission to the As already announced Mr. Kaye depths of the "Syrian "Desert, one. Don is to make an attempt on the

found him struggling with every record in a British Sunbeam car with two enzines reported to de-stricken wastes of Verneuk Pan.

sort of difficulty on the mirage velop. 4,000 h.p.

Captain Campbell will. I learn, use his famous British Blue Bird car, but will install a new engine developing 300 h.p. more than the unit which he used when he set up

MORE LUXURIOUS MOTOR-COACHES.

CAPABLE OF "WELL OVER FIFTY MILES AN HOUR.

i

His experiences there were enough to satist the appetite of the young rat, and hardiest man for speed hon- ours, be the lure of this particular record which he was the pioneer has one again proved irresistible.

"Hiperto we have restricted.our prodution to heavy vehicles up to twi tans. We now propose not only to build motor-coaches and buse heavy vehicles up to ten

trodred will save a great deal of tons. One new feature we have in- time and labour in carrying out repars to the engine. It will be posle to roll the engine away from the chasis on the front wheels, and four men can do this work witbut pay lifting trouble in

The spring of next gear will see on the English roads faster and more luxurious motor-coaches, Many of them will be of novel de-abat half an hour. signs and capable of a speed of from 50 to 70 miles an hour. Bever-

The lampa un my car, writes al of the best-known firms of motor Funny," in The Light Car had manufacturers, are concentrating

of a very large number of similar Cyclecar, are carried in ball-and-on the production of these coaches,

ture.

This new enterprise ie the out- com of the world tour recently malo by Sir William Morris, who cair to the conclusion that there

is great future for heavier vehi-

cls, provided they can be produc

ed cheaply. By our standardised

nt.

o motor-coaches and lorries chsiderably lower prices than

fore."

enmponents, thus cheapening pro- seeket mountings, being clamped for which they predict a great fu-thod, we shall be able to turn duction and simplifying service. finally in position with a nut, and This course means that large opera-I find that an almost microscopic tors can keep one or two stock units movement is sufheient. to make a for several types of chassis, instead very considerable difference to the Furthermore, of double or treble that number, angle of the beam. This materially reduces locked-up capital.

It is stated, however, that this development will depend largely upon the attitude the Government takes in regard to the McKeann duties. The Singer Motor Com

a projection which appears to be right when stapding by the lamp any of Coventry, are contemplat

The Sunbeam Company, Wolver- ampton, also intend to build com- hercial vehiclea

PRINCE.

OF NAPOLEON,

1

daring the process of moving it is ing an extension to their Birming PLOT TO STEAL A DEAD It is a common thing to find altogether wrong when one its inham factory. lifting eyes as integral parts of

the driving seat.

"It will all depend on Mr.ja engine and gearbox castings, whilst

One can, however, arrive at a Snowden," said Mr. W, E. Bullock, pack-nuts for cylinder heads, de- suitable mean position, and having their managing director. "These MOTOR BANDITS AND SON vices for ensuring the correct re found it, n' good plan is to drive extensions were agreed to and con timing of overhead camshafts and the car to within a few yards of firmed by the directors for remmen cercat in June. Then came th casily renewed water pump glands the garage wall or other convenient change of Government, and befo A sensational plot to steal the are features now making their apvertical surface and, switching the we proceed we wish to be satisfief) body of the Duke of Reichstadt, san as to their attitude on the McKer of Napoleon and the Empress pearance in ever-increasing num-lamps on, to make two rings with

Marie Louise, from the vault of paint or chalk exactly enclosing the na dutiesa.

the famous Capuchin Church in circular patches of light thrown on to the wall; thus one has an easy

Vienna, where generations of Haps- burga lie, was recently revealed to means of correcting the beam angle

the police in Vienna, by Hermann Lammel, leader of a hand of motor should it ever become deranged..

bandits.

*bera.

Folding Starters.

SAYS

.

"We expect a full statement wi be made in the near future, ad if we are assured that the McKe na duties will continue for a or two we shall proceed with dr. plans immediately. It will certai- ly mean the employment of a ty large number of people."

Thir intention is to build sif. ter and more comfortable mor coaches, one or two of which fill be seen at the Commercial Than sport Exhibition at Olympia

Many New Ideas,

♥

J

Lammel told the police how they planned to steal the body of the ill-fated duke and sell it to the French Government, from whom they expected to receive a vast sum.

France has made repeated efforts in the past to secure what is con sidered è national relic. •

Bones. of Emperors.

An aspect of maintenance which is an important in these days of large mileages is the ease of chang ing the lubricant. Drain taps are

That "Healthy" Exhaust, now, more commonly than former-

"The fashion of the healthy ly operated from chassis level, and improved methods of oil purifica exhaust is a thing of the past and the matorcyclist of to-day has no tion prolong the periods between

use for a noisy machine," drainage of the sump. Two in-Motor Cycling. portant novelties at the Show were a mechanical "device for lifting the spare wheel and a design of over-

"Why is it," acks a writer in the head camshaft which allows the current issue of Motor Cycling,

The small coffin in which the un- head to be removed without affect that folding kick-starters, now ting their plans into operion. happy "Eaglet," was buried lies ing the rockers or the valve timing. Practically universal on Contin- What was formerly Wolseley fac-by that of his mother, Marie Lonise, ental machines, do not figure, and tory at Adderley Park, Bining in the inner vault of the Capuchin Both were introduced by old never have figured, in the specifica-ham, has been entirely re-capped Church, where are the hopes of established concerns.

tions of British-made models ; Can with the most up-to-date machery, twelve Hapsburg emperors and empresses, encased in Operators of new 1030 chassis there be any possible objection to They, too, will build super-xuri filteen

them I remember using an F.N. ous motor-coaches, able to hea a massive bronze coffins." will have bonest cause to bless the for a spell a couple of seasons ago, speed of well over 50 miles abour, It was the intention of bandits to "We have introduced may new overpower and chloroform the foresight which designers have dis- and recollect being much impressed played in their latest efforts. The with the neatness of the folding ideas," Mr. W. Wilson Hall, the guards at night while an expert starter of this particular machine. managing director, said to repor mechanic, a member of the gang, advantages will not be one-sided, After all, it is just one less ex- but mutual.

cresence to do one bodily harm ter, "They will be faster safer, tackled the vault, which has walls a when one is caused to grbside to and more comfortable the many yard thick, with a special electrical earth-and the great majo, ity of us of the cotches now on t road, apparatus.

The Morris Commercial fars. Ltd., Birmingham, are alreadbut

These Insurance Problema.

have to submit to this indignity. There will be virtually vibraAn attack on a bank cashier, for were arrested And The question of compulsory in now and again. It certainly im-tion; there will be as mucomfort which they

as you can get on aprite car. similar robberies were intended to surance, by bus, operators, against proves the appearance of any accidents to third parties is, states machine; and if we are too lazy We hope, to begin produion in furnish funds for carrying out the always to feel inclined to pack it the early part of next far, and greater undertaking. Every detail, The Commercial Motor, at the pre-away after use, there is nothing to when we are fully workit we ex down to a secret route to France "Wht time, promdrens frakk diema.

rivaticking post amplayabout extra over the fightists through Switzer-

land, had been worked out. sions on bus working, and certainly out pro tem"

pen. "

up a code of recognised rules of the rond, with penalties for those who ignore them.

There is n recognised law of the road to-day, but it is an unwritten law. What is aimed at is a written law of the road. "I am all in favour

of it.

If we are to have a written law of the road what are the new command- ments for motorists to be? There are certain obvious rules that all drivers should obey, and if I had commandments they would be as the task of drawing up the new follows:

(2) Give the correct driving signals-To my mind there are

tod

many recognised signals, One signal-say the hand extend ed horizontally outside the car should be enough to ware"follow" ing traffic that you are about to "do" something unusual.

To enforce the commandmente police mounted on motor-cycles or cars would be necessary. Ther would serve a far better purpose than police hiding in hedgerower, trapping people for an offence th every car-driver commits every day

Do not teach your wife or gif friend to drive.

At a recent gathering there crop ped up the inevitable discussion on the subject of whether women really, were bad drivers.

A

WOIDUL

I was

driver remarkedi "How can you expect us to be goð? | drivers when we are taught by gu

husbands?" This, I suppose, is tru- in a great number of cases. reminded of it at West End car

when EL WORK park recently driver, after making half-a-dozen abortive attempts to manœuvré he car into position, smiled at the attendant, and said, "My husband never taught me to go backwards?

Husbands are incompetent P- structors, so at least, I should i agine by the look of utter, terror of their faces when they hand over the the wheel to their womenfolk..

(3) Slow moving traffic to keep to the left and all vehicles to pass on the right.-This, of course, ia an unwritten law of the road, but it should become a written far. As a matter of fact, there is an 1.0.0. by-law regarding slow

A terror-stricken instructor chil moving traffic. But no one, mat even the London police, appears never make a good teacher. If the to be aware of it. Drivers are

women of the household want to forced into the dangerous habit drive-and most of them do to-day of passing on the left beca-let them be properly taught by s aloe traffic will hug the middle of real instructor. It will pay in the the road.

long run, and on the short run, tool And they will not be able to reply when accused of driving in a neg ligent or ignorant manner, Well, my husband taught me."

(4) Tributary road traffic at road crossings to give way to main road traffic. It is proposed to mark up all lesser road, at crossings. But unless it becomes a law for drivers of vehicles on the lesser ronda to stop, look, and listen, accidents at cross roads will still be high on the fist of causes of road deaths,

(5) All care to be equipped with some form of dipper or swivel device for the headlamps, no that the beams can be diverted from drivers of approaching vehiclen-Many devices are now available. It should be an offence not to fit and use such devices.

*

These commandments cover most of the common offences that should be punishable by law and the breach of them is undoubtedly res-

A word of advice to the mar proud owners after the Motor Show who are now taking delivery of their new cars. If you have the time to apare go and bring it from I motors the factory yourself. along the main Birmingham rod the other day and saw numerot brand new cars racing along at speeds of from thirty-five to fifty miles an hour with various notices pasted on the screens such as "Da hot drive at a greater speed than thirty miles an hour for the first 300 milee."!

This advice is sound. I wonder here manufacturers do not super vise more closely the drivera who deliver their goods." The advice i useless when all the damage tha

can be done in a car's infancy done by the paid drivers of the firm that gives the advice.

A low makers seal the carburete ters and put washers in the inle

(1) Observe the white line-ponsible for many read deaths. I This is one of the finest safely frankly admit that I am beaten devices erer introduced. If there over the criminal offence" of "cut- was a white line on every danger- ting-in." Cutting-in is so difficult one road bend and if every to define, and so much depends on driver of a vehicle kept to the the vehicles concerned. On a pow-pipe so that the necessary running) correct side of that white line, exful car, with good acceleration, then collisions 011 hlind bendi | an opening may be taken, whereas would be impossible. A heary in the case of a slow, woolly car penalty for breaking this rule the proceeding would be highly

dangerous, would soon have its effect.

in speed eannot be exceeded. Thos who do not take such precaution should set a watch on the driv and take drastic action when the are at fault.

EFFICIENT, GRACEFUL, & RELIABLE.

Further, for your comfort and contentment the Austin twelve embodies in high degree, all those features which the public demands in a medium priced, medium powered machine.

Note the elegance and distinction of the lines, the comfortable seating arrangements, the remarkable accessibility, the case of control, the useful turning lock, and the generous equipment.

Arrange for a trial run, its performance will be a revelation to you.

FOR FULL PARTICULARS APPLY TO

ALEX. ROSS & COMPANY (CHINA), LTD.

HEAD OFFICE :

PRINCES BUILDING. HONG KONG

DEPOT:

Chater Road,

Phone C. 2487.

HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.

Austin Twelve

A

KOWLOON

GARAGE:

SALISBURY ROAD.

Phone

K. 1488.