1933-09-19 — Page 2

Motor Notes From Great

Britain

FROM A LONDON CORRESPONDENT.

NEW SEASON'S CARS

INTRODUCED

COMPARATIVE TESTS

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1933, -- -

SPARKS

FROM THE PLUGS

One of

the principal London distributors for Triumph cars has devised a very ingenious type of It has been a more or less open secret for some time, that

the comparative test for prospective This compares the prices of the new season's models purchasers... would, when published show performance of the new car with that of the motorist's existing alight increase. The question was how much, and would there be any vehicle, the old and new cars be

side-by-side during compensating advantages. Under ing driven the "Gentlemen's Agreement" en-tests of acceleration, braking and tered into by the leading British so on. The buyer can change over manufacturrs last year, no pro trom one to the other and thus as to the grammes of new models were to obtain accurate data

of the respective be announced before the 15th performance August, but from then until the vehicles., Olympia Motor Show in October there will be a positive spate of information about cars for 1934.

USEFUL OPINIONS

Although the London Passenger Transport Board has only been in existence for a short time, it has been quick to obtain the opinion of drivers of its buses and coaches upon the Ostra method of street lighting which is installed at Wat- ford Road, Wembley. They have expressed the opinion that "the mumination is satisfying in qua- lity and quantity and most com- fortable for driving."

BRITISH CARS CLOSED CAR VOGUE

OVERSEAS

THE TYPE OF VEHICLE THAT IS WANTED

I have been waiting with much impatience for some comments to be published on the article, "Could

Britain Build this Car? writes a correspondent to "The Auto Car."

It is to be hoped that the article has awakened some interest, as, theme to me at any rate, the stems to be of the greatest pos- sible Importance to the British motor trade.

ENDING

TRUE ALL-WEATHER BODY ON THE

MARKET AT LAST

A STRENUOUS RELIABILITY TRIAL

Coupe des Alpes

The world's most

strenuous different makes. Rileys head the motor reliability trial, the Coupe Nst with nine cars. including a 'des Alpes, has this year attracted team of three led by Captain Riley. Amongst other an entry of no fewer than 50 Ceall

mean

་

saven.

We seem to be in for a mild re, cars look very well with the top competitors from Great Britain drivers of this make are Donald volution in car body fashions,, right down, when it les flush with alone. Germany is contributing Healey, a winner of jnnumerable writes the London "Daily Tele-the top edge of the doors: smart 34 and France 17. whilst other trials and rallies, and Miss Doro- graph" Motor correspondent. The enough when fully closed but not countries are also well represent-thy Champney, who this your won the ladies' prize in her class in as a fixed head; and ed. saloon or permanently closed body so smart

Of the 50 British competitors, 48 both the Scottish and the R.A.C. and more are driving" British cars, of 13 railles, has reigned practically unchal- slightly comic when the top is lenged for five or six years, but half-open. A better

a durable material for the hood

"Frazer-Nash cars come second with eight individual - entries, “ this fine. summer has hit it heavy blow above the waistline, wants discovering, and perhaps a and the revived demand for cars new way of folding the loose front desperate increase. They

M.G.S third with

and can be half out of the way. This will, that for once we are asked to pay I should like to say that, up to that either are open or

I had been opened at will is too strong to be come, for the vogue of the con- about half the cost of the extra Singers fourth with Ave, each of this time last year. for the previous twelve years ac-ignored by the manufacturers. In vertible car is undoubtedly spread-refinement and added equipment the two latter makes having en- instead of as before getting them tered teams. Talbots are th the new Austin programme one in, ing. Lively engaged in the motor car

for nothing. of the forty-eight models The Synchromesh Gear-Box business in Bouth Amertea, where three

The adoption by: Bir" Herbert I worked with a British merchant are open cars.

Every fine summer makes us Austin of the synchromesh gear- firm, half of whose activities were concerned in that line. I think, want to get rid of roofs and all box is an interesting and signih- therefore. I can claim to know that comes between us and the cant move. It is, I am told, the sunshine and fresh air. This year; outcome of two years' continuous something about the subject.

Owing to their inability to find the destre has been augmented by research and experiment with the any British car that could com- the great increase in the sporting three easy-change methods so far

vast increase of touring. So far, and synchromesh. - " pete with the American in power, side of motoring and by the truly devised pre-selection, free-wheel size, and speed for price, the firm handled one of the best American the car makers themselves have lines, the Hudson-Essex.

One of the earliest announce- ments this year is that of Singer and Co., and this serves to show the trend for next year. Although there is a slight increase in prices, owing to the higher cost of mate rials,, this is more than offset by additions to the specification. All

It is true that the exports of the de luxe models, for instance,

British cars are up, but I cannot are fitted with the singer pre-

help thinking that it is a "nash selected clutchless gear-change,

In the pan," and that with the de- and this may also be had on all other models in the range of de- This new method of lighting impreciation of the dollar the Ame sired, at a slight extra charge. By portant thoroughfares is likely to ricans will be up and doing, and this method gear-changing loses receive the close attention of all they will not waste much time all its fears and the novice can public lighting authorities in the over it. compete with

an economy I am sorry to have to say what the experienced near future. From driver on level terms. By means point of view it has much to re- I have said about Britsh exports. rempte-control operating commend it, for it provides 21 but from what I have seen and in England during lever, any gear can be pre-selected times more light for the same; experienced at any time while the car is in mo- consumption of electricity than the last twelve months except for tion, and except from rest, the use does any other system, of electric the higher-priced cars, there is of the clutch pedal is entirely ob- street lighting.

not one suitable for anything ex- viated. By pulling out a control

cept the type of roads that we have here, chiefly from the point knob on the dash, the freewheel BIG RAILWAY ORDERS

of view of their low power.

of the

mechanism can be converted at any moment to the usual clutch and gearbox arrangement.

•

"

The 1934 models comprise the Nine,

Twelve. Fourteen. 14-Litre 2-Litre and Silent Bix.

ELECTRICAL DEVELOP-

MENTS

•

The railways have been placing large orders for transport vehicles lately. The Great Western, for instance, have ordered eighty-four 2-ton and twenty 6-ton forward the 'total control Thornycrofts, value of the contract being some-- thing like £50,000. This followed upon an order with the same firm from the London and North East- ern Railway for thirty-one 2-ton- ners-the 46th repeat order from that source.

sure

CYLINDER WEAR

i

not done much for us.

lest; for the person who has learnt | to use (and to hate the ordinary,

The last is some ways the simp-1

or. as we may call it now, the old-

Even to-day they are apt to say airily in their catalogues "the sid ing roof makes it an all-weather fashioned gear-box, it suddenly. car which it most emphatically turns him into 100 per cent. skilful does not, and the hoods and side gear-changer without asking him curtains that they provide on their to alter his methods or learn any. Also these new synch- "touring" models are just as trou-thing new. blesome and ugly and unsatisfac-romesh boxes developed here from tory as they were when they were the original American pattern give first devised ten years ago. No, two silent indirect rrears and - al- | the English "tourer" is not a thing low changing to be effected just. to be proud of, and the sliding as rapidly and snapplly as with roof of which we are so fond, be the pre-selector type. But synch-

ing up through the floor. ing a compromise, has found no romesh still leaves the lever stick- favour abroad.

Three-Position Hood

A

with "four cars entered.

SHOCK ABSORBER

FOR YOUR

BANK ACCOUNT

A. A. U.

MOTOR CAR INSURANCE

A. A. U.

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AP

TELEPHONE

30234-5

TRUST A THORNYCROFT With Your TRANSPORT

While the synchromesh box 18 I noticed, however, at Birming- not excessively complicated it is more expensive to make than the ham on Monday among the new Austins a "cabriolet," as it is call-old type. Consequently the new toed, otherwise a four-seater drop- Austin prices, which include not synchromesh but direction In conclusion, I should Like say that the motor car business head coupe with two moderately only was my pet while I was in South wide doors and a built-in luggage-indicators, do not represent any America, and I would with plea-box behind. Er hood was easy. give anybody interested in to operate, and while it might the export trade the benefit of my have folded fatter, it could be used in three positions-fully clos- ed, half-open, and right down.

about this experiences

There are points three-positiori hood, roof, or top, points which make it an improve- ment on the ordinary drop-head To supplement the Startix de

coupe. In the middle position vice introduced last year, Joseph

with the top rolled or folded-back Lucas Ltd. have brought out the Pedomatic automatic starting sys- It is interesting to note that in- EFFECT OF OIL TEMPERATURE half-way, leaving the back seats still under cover, the driver and tem, by means of which the move- cluded in the recent orders for ment of the accelerator pedal s road vehicles placed by the Great

The latest idea in connection front passenger have all the ad- utilised to bring the starter motor Western Railway, were a number into action. If the engine stops of Scammell "Mechanical Horses. with cylinder wear is that oil tem- vantages of a fully open car with- in traffic: the natural instinct These vehicles with their highly perature has some part in it, and out the usual draught on the back of the driver is to the developed powers of manoeuvre in that corrosion with cold oli is a of the neck, and it they want the windows and still have fall accelerator with his foot, and this confined spaces, are of direct im- factor. Thus the rapid warming more protection they can wind up and untrammelled visibility side- will operate the switch and bringportance to the railway authori- of the oll at starting assumes a

importance" than about automatic restarting.

tles, who have been quick to rea- greater

that this is a more vital factor Another very useful develop-lise their possibilities. The London thought, and it is said, indeed, ways and upwards. "

than the admission of liquid petrol ment on the part of this concern and North Eastern, for example,

due to excessive use of the strang- is the introduction of a compen-have completely mechanised one ...sated system of voltage regulation. of their most important goods de-

By holding the voltage within pots, by this means, close limits, this regulator safe-

dab

3

HUNDRED

1)

ier.

Was

-

Except that your back-seat pas- aengers are apt to feel shut in, this is for practical comfort the finest all-weather body, arrangé- ment that I have yet seen. One Thermostats and radiator shut-person, male or female, can open ters provide for the rapid warming or shut the hood, and do it quick- up of the water system, and in ly, because there are no bits and It is guards the system from sudden OIL ENGINES BY THE

some cases the oil temperature is pieces to be folded away. lamp failure at night should

raised with that of the cooling light, and for two people touring battery connection become faulty,

water and prevented from rising the back seats can be left at home. while another excellent feature is that the charge rate is automatic- The latest Leyland Tiger and beyond a certain limit by the same and room made for piles of lug- ally reduced when the battery is Titan passenger chassis are now means. It is necessary, of course, gage. "up."

available Atted with either the to ensure that the oil supply, 18 new and higher powered petrol not unduly heated, but it would seem that some method of heating engine, or with the 8-litre oil en- gine. Owing the extensive use the oil by the exhaust is desirable increase in when starting from cold: This of elektron, little weight is incurred by adopting thecould be erected by an exhaust latter type of unit.

TYRES MAY COST MORE

There is likely to be an increase in the price of some classes of tyres in the near future, though this will not be uniform. Actual.

الله

15

The drawback 19 looks.

These

£2 OF EXPERIENCE by-pass heater controlled by ther- BE CAREFUL HOW CIGARETTE mostat, and by the same means ENDS ARE THROWN AWAY

It is noteworthy, by the way, the oil temperature could be pre-

Experience, they say, has to be

ly, it is rather a case of revision that, as a result of the success of vented from rising too high by and levelling up, in which the the 266 Leyland of engines recent-bringing a water cooler or oil radia- bought; they also say that expert- price of some of the tyres for ly supplied, the Scottish Motor or in circuit once working temence bought 15, good, if not too small cars will be raised and & Traction Co. Have, ordered a fur-pérature was reached. As we dear. A gentleman who was fined modification made in the case of ther 100 tre, ell engines.

know, it does take a considerable £2 at Croydon for wantonly medium and large sized cars.

This sort of thing is the most time for all pressure to fall to nor throwing away a lighted cigarette As an official of the Palmer Tyre convincing answer to those who mal when starting, which means to the danger of other people can that the working temperature of reflect upon the merits of these Co. very rightly sald recently, an are inclined to scoff at this type the oil is not reached anything two proverbs. For ourselves (that Increase is long overdue. Tyres of engine, to-day last longer and wear better

than they did a few years ago

and yet the price is much lower. FROM LOSS TO PROFIT

"

A WORTHY EXHIBIT

A study of the Agures published provide much scope for ingenious which we are in need, for it is not

pects.

like so quickly as that of the cool-1s, the motoring community) "' we have no hesitation in saying that ing system.

The newest theories in connec-the experience was certainly not tion with cylinder, wear certainly too dear. It provides a lesson of frequent to see burning cigarette ends thrown haphazardly-out of car windows. I these days of ultralow - chassis it is not impos- sible that the stub may strike-the driver of another vehicle in the face and cause the sparks to fly into his eyes,

imag The culprit at Croydon, actual- ly, had thrown the cigarette from a tram through the window of a passing car. It hit the driver in Father of Girl: "But you know the face, and it was a police car! there are six"of us,”

When told that he would be sum-

by municipal transport depart designers, and indicate how much ments throughout Britain shows we have yet to learn in many res- conclusively that a profit nearly It cannot often have happened that a car, after being used for always results from bus or trolley some time on the road, has subse-bus undertakings, whereas losses quently figured in an exhibition as a show exhibit. Yet this is what occurred at the recent Cairo Motor Show.

attend the trams. All over the country more and more public au- thorities are seeking powers to run trolley bus services in place of trams, particularly when the lat ter systems require large sums ex- pended on repair and mainten-

ance.

The Whole Family. Father of Girl: "Can you afford to support a wife and family."

Suitor: Yes sir!"

1

Apparently, there was no Rolls Royce being shown, so an ELY- tlan owner, at the request of the Egyptian Automobile Club, lent his

On and On Into The Night.monsed the offender remarked: 40/50 h.p. chassis, fitted with a! Hooper Sedanca body, for the oc- recently decided to abolish tram- Orator: Before. I close, allow me "It was only a lark Buch larks casion. Although he took delivery ways on three important routes to repeat the immortal words of he will now realise, are apt to be expensive. Let us make sure that of the car last year, it made so and replace them by trackless trol-Werner.

Huddersfield Town Council has

good an impression that everyone ley buses: In connection with this, Farmer Paraloy: Lan sakes, through carelessness in disposing mistook it for new, including HM an order has been placed with Mirandy, let's git out of here. He's of cigarette ends we do not com- King Fuad who is well acquainted Ransomes, Bims and Jefferies for a goin' to start in on the diction-mit a similar offence"The Auto

Car ary." with this type personally.

a-6-wheel double-decker.

DEAL DIRECT

THORNYCROFT

SIX-CYLINDERED

COACHES & OMNIBUSES

MOTOR VEHICLES

DIESEL OR PETROL

Pioneer Manufacturers of Commercial Motor Vehicles

Full Range of Spares carried in Hong Kong and Shanghal

4 or 6 Wheels

4 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