1933-08-29 — Page 2

H

DRIVING METHODS AND

UPKEEP COSTS

ECONOMY HINTS FOR HARD TIMES

Excessive Road Speed

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HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, AUGUST

SPARKS

29, 1933

FROM THE PLUGS

A FUTURISTIC OMNIBUS

New A.E.C. Vehicle

The Associated Equipment Cóm pany of Southall, a firm which con. structs most of the omnibuses run by the London General Omnibus Com pany, has just relensed construction al details of the "Q omnibus, which is a highly advanced and remarkable production.

BRITISH CARS MAY BE DEARER

Austins And The Rise In

Commodity Prices

Fi

24-HOUR TRIAL IN HOLLAND

British Cars Successes Hornets, were driven by their Dutch

It is possible that motor-car pri- view that mere cheapoms is not peted successfully against strong Ces may rise in the near future and enough. Sir Herbert Austin recently stated that already certain essential ma- terials used in the manufacture of Austin cars have increased in price by from 6 per cent." to 18 per cent. car casts the frim to make, they, and knowing to a penny what each in common with other manufactur

their products or raising the prices. tives of reducing the quality of ers, may be faced with the alterna.

qwners. Messrs. I. van der Mark and S. Fuyt, who speak in glow- In the 24-hour trial organised region, and rond-holding qualities. ing terms of their speed, suspen- cently by the Amsterdam City Each reached the finish without the the surprise of sceptical Dutchmen Militia, two British light cars com loss of a single mark, somewhat to foreign competition, After all, it is the service a com-

The event attracted an entry of that only high-powered cars had a who had previously held the belief medity gives that counts in the end, 143 drivers from all kinds of police chance of success in so strenuous particularly with care. The motor and military institutions, as well as an event buying public has benefited from a from the City Militia. The start during the past decade, and, for the course included most of the im- remarkable series of price reductions and finish were at Amsterdam, and instance, Austin cars to-day, though portant Dutch towns, An average

for them 10 years ago."" spect, cost only half the price naked sheduled, the total distance being greatly superior in nearly every re- speed of 2 kilometres per hour, was japproximately 1,000 kilometres, and power car is evident to all who use or early arrival at the various The popularity of the 10 horse-competitors were penalised for, late the roads, and an example is the checks es roule. fact that the twenty-thousandth Austin Ten-Four recently left the factory at Longbridge just

tin concern also reports a total sales months since this model was first

cent. increase over June, 1939, in Whitsuntide holiday was included spite of the fact that this year the in the period in question.

In these hard times the motorist, er gear as soon as the engine is who desires to reduce his running "moving the car easily on the lower "and upkeep costs to the minimum ope.

should take account of his driving methods, for it is possible if not probable that among them are some

Rapid wear of mechanical details that could be modified with effect and tyres is encouraged by driving at a road speed that is excessive in in securing greater economy in motoring costs. Principally, there view of prevailing conditions, such is scope in most cases for ultimate anywhere. On a moorland track 10 as rough roads or uneven surfaces rather than immediate economy.

For example, two factors of prime while on a badly potholed or very n.p.b. may be on excessive speed, importance in ultimate costs of up: keup er overloading the car and rough road 20 m.p.h. any be the engine at excessive reasonable maximum. The steering, runing the speeds,

springs, engine supports, frame, Overeading may harm the engine, work and other parts may apar: from the fact that it will have withstand the shocks that occur at tions per mile owing to the prob a dozen times, but they may not, to zan a larger number of revolu- higher speeds; they may do so once able need for more frequent and and if there is no real need to run double decker 62. That the general, ture, and Sir Herbert Austin says record for last June with a 29 per more prolonged use alone or other the risk of a broken spring of what of the lower pears, When overload-not, why do so? ing occurs the tyres suffer reduc

:

timit their wileage life. "Exces sive depreciation can be prevented to sue extent--not wholly, by any means-if the inflation pressures are highly than norinal, though it is highly improbable that ang driver would think of using his tyre pump whenever he plans to carry five or six adults in a small four-seater, or

Last September the L.G.O.C. took one over as an experimental single some experience had been gained t withhold details of its design until decker and it was clearly wise to

to be reached.. enable some form of standardization

No Arm like the Austin Company! One of the main has really any alternative, for the problems in all forms of transport sound British manufacturer has to-day is to provide greater carry; quality of production too near his ing capacity or a given size of unit heart to sacrifice. his standard to and thus increase the unit's earning nay appreciable extent for a cut power while reducing traffic conges will carry 39 passengers and the dels costing more in the near fa tion, The new single decker price. There is therefore definitely possibility of the company's mo plan of the omnibus is unique may that Austin cars have always been the engine and gearbox, which is, the cheapest of their kind, and pub be seen at once by the position of real value though not necessarily completely outside the chassis frame lic demand has fully endorsed the

chind the offside front wheel.

Special attention has been given to the elimination of mechanical

vibration and of heat entering the

mission is carried obliquely to an passenger compartment. The trans offset differential. Thus the whole

As regards high speed on good roads, the comfortable cruising peed of the car rather than the taximum claimed by the maker or the car is usually driven, if, econo- agent should be the highest at which my is important. The 10 h.. family m.p.h. hat auch speed" imply more car may be capable of 50 or 60 rapid deterioration than the cruis

of the body space ie available for ing speed, which usually can be put to overload a larger car proporat 20 to 23 per cent. lower. More passengers. The driver, by sitting tinhately with passengers or Jug-

agy, or both.

wer, driving at or near the maxinside the passenger compartment mum implies higher petrol and oil and immediately opposite the front consumption and increased tyre car see directly on to the kerb, and entrance, is given greater visibility, Forcible Braking

has complete supervision of all pas sengers catering or leavings the vehicle.

Reasonable Overloading

No doubt all car owners are more ur less compelled now and again to carry an overload. No great harm will be done unless the additional weight is really excessive; but in the latter event the war springs, if they do not netually break, may take a permanent "set, which implies los

вед....

MOTOR CYCLISTS

AS CAR DRIVERS

Good Form Of Apprenticeship

15

introduced to the public. The Aug-

AUSTRALIA ADVANCES

BRISBANE'S EMPIRE DAY MOTOR DISPLAY

In the Empire Day celebrations held recently in Brisbane a promin ent feature of the procession was the number of tableaux and other. presentations of Empire products, especially those from the Mother- Cornering at speeds that cause the

Country, and it was only natural car to heel over unduly or the tyres

Some of the most successful rae-

that the British motor car should ultimately, for heavy stresses are to "how" increases upkeep. costs.

For the first time in this country ing drivers in the ear world have be well to the fore in this connec a lifeguard is enabled to be fitted to previously achieved honours in tion since they are being exported imposed upon the tyres, springs, and oft. at the front of the "Q" allow

An omnibus chasis, the overhang of motor cycling, and it is interesting in ever-increasing numbers

to note some of the names in the At the actual head of the proces "reconditioning or replacement. An difces the life of brake drums and Ministry of Transport, and can be smaller class, has more than once

ing has a similar effect and also re-

sion was a specially interesting has been tested and proved by the of Middlesbrough, the winner of the overload should never represent

linens. If forcible braking is call-atted to both the single and double-ridden at St. Andrew's, and he has

(Continued on previous column). more than 25 per cent, of the nor mal full load, and in enteulating the far then use the brakes to the deck models. The power from the achieved fanie as one of the most latter the average weight of an adult be applied gently and as infrequent by a fluid flywheel to a self-changing self, who was second, is known to best effect; but otherwise let them engine is transmitted hydraulically dashing of car drivers. Then Man- may be taken as 10 stone.

ly as possible. "Racing" an engine unarcessarily Unfair use of the steering is hard operated clutch pedal practically Denly are two drivers who earned

epicyelic gearbox, and a or excessively causes undue went of

vacuum motor cyclists, while Kaye Don and very moving part, as well as reducing details; it is exemplified by formintes all physical effort of their earlier laurels as motor gy

on tyres and may stress the steer-

operation.

ng their ember and the need for i bodywork. Needlessly heavy braking this equipment. The lifeguard recent car races at Douglas, Dixon, vehicle an ambulance just present-

The engine has six cylinders, and

aloon tires are used all round, and

clists,

tion in petrol and oil economy. The cibly otating the steering wheel in engine should not, therefore, be run order to divert the front wheels is of thoroughly up-to-date design, his mechanical acrise at high speeds when and where there while the car is stationary.

The motor cyclist generally, has is no need, or at higher speeds than those at which it is designed to run, sion that, beyond driving methods, able aluminium cylinder head, and knows and humours his engine more, It need hardly be said in conclu- with its overhead camshaft, detach developed than the car driver. He more keenly. on high gear or low. Prolonged use there is scope for sennomy in the water circulation controlled by ther-and is less likely to abuse his car.. of a low gear where the engine will processes of upkeep, and in this con-

mostat. The foot brake works on quite easily "take" a higher ratio nection it must be emphasised that all four wheels by a servo-assisted even if the man accustomed to rid- is on example of "waste of revolu- the use of a low-priced "no name" hydraulic system, so that adjusting all out on two wheels finds it tions." By all means accelerate the oil, merely because it is cheap toment is automatically made. Single easier to do the same on four. engine thoroughly on a low gear to buy, continuing to use deteriorated gain speed on a rising gradient, soil in the engine, and stinting the by using these at the back in more favourably regarded in some Perhaps motor cycling would be that a change into a higher, gear use of the cit or grease gün are place of twins the springs are able quarters if its value in training can be made; but on a level road examples of false economy, and are or downhill get into the next high- to be decried on that account.

to be place wider apart and the good car drivers was recognised. It broader frame gives a better body does not mounting. The hody is of registered useful.

only provided ร school design and streamlined.. Wind tun. It teaches road, sunse

for speedmen. nel tests have shown that less power knowledge of

and a the is needed to drive this "Q" omnibus of the machine.

capabilities compared with older designs,

It fosters judg- inent and an appreciation of road. Accessibility certainly breaks new surfaces, and, knowing what riding ground, and will attract widespread a motor cycle in mixed traffic is, the attention in passenger transport motor cylist turned motorist can be circles, while it should prove a bene depended upon to give consideration St to the travelling public.

to ather road users,

LARGE EXTENSION TO AUSTIN FACTORY

Following a record winter's sales of Austin cars, large new extensions are being added to the Austin "fdc- tory at Longbridge. Birmingham.

The new buildings, costing between £40,000 and £50,000, will have three-storey frontage and a floor

LUXURY CAR WITH SOLD TYRES

FOR THE PURPOSE OF TESTING ONLY!

eliminated gradually

Although solid tyres are being from the sreets, the world's most famous and comfortable private car at one per-

It does not take the road "shod"

REPEAT ORDERS FOR

area" of nearly 100,000 square feet.

They will be used for body finish-ind in its career runs with solid THORNYCROFT VEHICLES ing and trimming, and will accom- tyres on its rear wheels. modate six trimming lines.

The work of excavating 9,000 cubic feet for foundations is well in hand, and the buildings, when completed, will incorporate 20 tons of steel and 27,000 square feet of glass.

There would be fewer accidents if evers car driver had served his ap prenticeship of a motor cycle. Too many car drivers to-day never even pushed a barrow on the roads be-

fore they became owners of a car,

and it is they, whose lack of rad sense and lack of knowledge of the traditions of the King's. highway

in this manner, but on test in the Promising Market In Portugal who are responsible for so much of

factory every Rolls-Royce chassis has solid tyres whilst undergoing a dynamometer test.

the trouble.

The home of the Douglas motor understood to have been purchased cycle at Kingswood. Bristol, is by the firm of William Douglas and I, Bristol Bridge, Bristol, state that Co. The Bristol Development Board

the firm is to extend its activities The British cars, two Wolseley to engines for light aeroplanes.

SHOCK ABSORBER

FOR YOUR

BANK ACCOUNT

A.

A. U.

MOTOR CAR INSURANCE

A.A. U.

ASIA LIFE BLDG.

TELEPHONE

30234-5

TRUST A THornycroft With Your TranSPORT

DEAL DIRECT

THORNYCROFT

SIX-CYLINDERED

COACHES & OMNIBUSES

MOTOR VEHICLES

ANN

DIESEL OR PETROL

Pioneer Manufacturers of Commercial Motor Vehioles

Full Range of Spares carried in Hong Kong and Shanghat,

nine

This is the latest of five large ex-driving two large drums to represent repeat orders from overseas Users, Thus fitted, with the rear wheels secured recently several interesting Thornycroft motor vehicles have tensions added to Longbridge since the road, these chassis are given a including the San Paulo Railway its predecessor which, in 1997, amounting to an area of half most strenuous test, They are run Company. Ltd., for two of the latest

ed to the Wyrinum Centre to replace 4-million square feet, and involving at full throttle for a period equival- types of Thornycroft, 8-cylinder years' had covered more than 100,- an expenditure of £280,000.

ent to 70 miles on the road, during omnibus chassis, to supplement their 000 miles. The new ambulance re- which time the chassis is given a present feet of Thornycroft passen.

presented the last word in the ten-minutes test in euch gear. Fur-ger vehicles, and from the Engineer design of vehicles of its kind and ther, by the use of weights to re- ing Company of Portugal Ltd., for embodied what was claimed to present gradients, the car climbs the two further "Bulldogan chassis, be the first definite attempt to obvi stiffest of bills.

fitted with hand operated tipping liar to the roads of the Common- ate dust and fume problems pecu wealth.

SALESMANSHIP

Polyglot Literature Sells British Car

Now that cars manufactured in Britain have by aheer merit forced recognition of the fact that they are suitable for service in all parts of the world, enterprising manufac

Before being fitted into the chassis gear. the engine is rup in for five hours, during which 500 gallons of oil are passed through the engine each hour. Thus all foreign matter is removed from the engine.

It is interesting to recall now that experiments are being made to us gas for running car enginees instead of petrol, that in testing all their used town gan,

Portugal is another promising overseas market, where Thornycroft vehicles have already established a sound repitation.

clation, Ltd. rently held their The Scottish Motor Trade Asso

By means of venta in the forward overhang of the root, controlled by shutters, a current of air passes in- to the body of the vehicle sufficient to prevent exhaust gases being. drawn in as the car travels. There flexible accommodation, and many are adjustable stretchers, even,

tures are adopting every means of engines, Rolls-Royce have for years twenty-nitith anual general meet points of unusual interest in the in-

developing overseas business.

An excellent example of this spirit of enterprise is displayed by the Austin concern, which, in addition Spanish, Portuguese, French, Ger- to issuing schedules of prices for man, Dutch, Norwegian, Danish, Austin care delivered at all import-Japanese, Singalese, and Tamil. ant ports, is now publishing cata Further overseas literators deal Jogués and sales literature in many se ten foreign languages, viz.: Arabic, is now in preparation.

asing with Austin cars in Siamese and

ing in Glasgow report of the terior furnishings. The ambulance Council's transactions for the past was designed by Cap Pike, Secre- accounts showed a substantial in- chassis specially chosen was a Hum year was adopted, and the audited tary of the QAB, and the orease in the capital of the Asso- ber Snipe, & model noted for ita re- 000. Mr. David Melvin succeeds smooth running, as these features ciation, now standing at over £30,silient suspension and extremely Mr. James Gibbon, Inc., aa preald-pro essential for a vehicle of this ent,

nature

4 or 6 Wheels

4 or 6

or 6 Cylinders

30 Cwt. to 10 Ton Loads

20 to 70 Passengers

JOHN L. THORNYCROFT & CO., LIMITED,

Pioneer Building, Nathan Road, Kowloon.

TEL. 56752.

TRUST A THORNYCROFT With Your TRANSPORT