1934-11-20 — Page 2

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THE INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

The Largest Exhibition In The World

CARS UP TO £150 ·

(By a London Correspondent}

To the motorist limiting himself to cars costing under £150 Olym- pla is a comparatively simple matte. this year. He has only three stands to visit, the Austin, the Morris, and the standard, All "three are showing a car, in the smallest class, all three are show- ing saloons; in fact, the Morris Eight two-seater is the open car on view costing under £130.

The ever welcome Seven range Is represented by the Ruby aaloon at X120 and the Pearl cabriolet at £128.

AUSTIN

Recently modernised in appear ance whilst still retaining their familiar individuality, Austin cars hold 1 remarkable popularity. They are made in a very wide range to suit all purses and all needs. The ever-welcome Seven range is represented by the Ruby saloon at £120 and, the Pearl cabriolet at £128.

Several alterations in chassis design may be noted. The frame has been extended and is upswept, over the back axle, and has also been dropped at the rear, allowing more foot room in the back.com- partment.

+

The radiator and ita cowling,... together with the engine, are mounted well. "forward in the chassis, giving increased body room, and the spare wheel and luggage carrie: are concealed within the car panel.

As compared with the Seven the Ten-Four has a wheelbase one foot longer, carries larger coach- work, and offers a better perform- Colwyn ance. It appears as a cabriolet and a Lichfield saloon. The Light Twelve-Slx, ds Instan-

coupé form, finished in two aha- des of brown.

The 20 h.p. Oxford has a new side of engine developed to give an increased reserve of power. The saloon is a thoroughly roomy. well-turned-out production, with special features for ease of con- trol, including a free wheel and automatic clutch, besides which the mixture is automatically re- gulated for starting and warming

up.

at appearance has been tid- ted on the larger cars by placing the head lamp tle bar out of sight. On the Twelve-Four and upwards interior is used, the front windows a system of ventilation for the

sliding back in the frame an inch or two when the handle' is turned beyond the fully closed position. The larger saloons are wired, for

1stallation of radio, "

STANDARD

In these days of keen competi- tion modern cars do not attain a wide and steady sale without very good reason, A careful examing- tion of the Standards soon shows why they are so successful, Built on similar lines throughout the scale of size, they have a charac- teristically clean-cut and individ- ual appearance, the bodies offer comfortable seating positions, ease of entry, and plenty of leg room, the controls are exceeding- ly convenient, and the whole equipment is as comprehensive as It is practical. Add to this the have a good fact that the cars road performance, run really quietly and smoothly, and are very easy to drive, and the reasons for their popularity are apparent.

The smallest of the range is the Nine two-door saloon, a remark-

ced by the Ascot de luxe saloon.bly pleasant car for its price. It

is available with either a 13.9 h.p

or a 15.9 hp. engine at the same

price, and has a erüelform-braced chassis.

་ ་ ་

The Sixteen can be obtained with either a 18 h.p, or an 18 h.p. ngine at the same price. For those who need a sturdy car with roomy coachwork the Westminster, saicon on the Sixteen chassis and the Chalfont on the Eighteen chassis have a definite appeal.

The largest car in the range is the Twenty, represented on the stand by the Mayfair limousine. The frame of this capacious model' has been lowered and cruelform bracing adopted, and it may be noted that the equipment for comfort extends ta adjustable rear seats.

MORRIS

Comment scems almost super- fluous: here is value, the cars are sedately attractive in appearance, remarkably complete in equip- ment, there is the interest of the new Eight, and the stand, with its wide range of models, is thronged as are only the stands of the most popular makes.

The Eight entirely new, re- placing the Minor: it has a more powerful, simple side-valve en- gine, smoother and altogether better in its behaviour. The ap- pearance is quite different from that of the Minor by virtue of a new body shape and an altered radiator. Interior space is espe- cially good, indeed remarkable for a car of these chassis dimensions. The Ten-Four is already well es- tablished, being a good sound car of its size, and it is very little al- tered.

The Ten-Six is of similar size generally to the Ten-Four, but has. a slightly larger six-cylinder en- gine; the Special, coupe, a stand-. ardised model, is particularly at- tractive, The Ten-Bix sports tour-` er is also on view, resplendent in scarlet. This utilises a two-car- buretter engine, anis bulit to give, a sports performance.

The Twelve-Four is basically our old and respected friend the Cowley, and is excellent as a sim- pie, sturdy ychicle, with a more refined engine than previously,

The Fifteen-Six, of the same size as last year's Cowley Bix, has very complete equipment, includ ing traffic signals and an interior visor of a new roller-blind type- applied also to some of the other. models. It appears in pecial

is available also with a longer wheelbase and four-door saloon. body, which is shown in de luxe буре.

The Ten also has a four-cylin- der engine, but of larger capacity, The de luxe saloon has a controll- ed free wheel, a Startix, and auto- matic voltage control for the dynamo output. With a low-built frame, sensible and roomy coach-„ work is possible, and it may be noted that the Ten" saloon is also available with a 12 h.p. engine at £10 extra. The two-seater and Tickford foursome coupe' are worthy of examination.

The Speed models have 12 h.p. four-cylinder 1,608 c.c. engines, with an aluminium cylinder head, higher compression, twin CAT- buretters and a higher gear ratio, and utilise the Ten chassis. They have excellent acceleration, and are capable of a genuine 70 m.ph. The Twelve is essentially a roomy car for family use. It hus all the best features of the smal-

·ler cars, and is equipped with a radio set and Tri-comfy rear seats at an extra charge.

Then there is the Sixteen, which will, in fact, seat Ave persona, and has a remarkably smooth and quiet performance. It is avaliable with a 20.h.p. engine without ex- tra charge. A Twenty saloon de luxe and a Twenty long wheel- base saloon de luxe, with complete- de luxe equipment, round of a splendid range of cars suitable for almost any purpose and.pocket.

AUTUMN GLORIES

Le temps est magnifique; c'est fautomne avec son charme et sa belle nature." So writes a corres- pondent from Touraine. Does

that little sentence breathe the very spirit of what is in England. too, given good weather, perhaps the loveliest time of the year? The magnificent colours, the chrome corn stalks nestling round the farms, the smell of freshly turned earth, all contribute to make autumn the period of charm and beautiful "nature. And yet one is told by statisticians, that thousands of cars are laid up for this quarter! I wonder if, their owners realise what they are missing. If a car must be laid up for

a quarter, I

can under stand the first quarter being chosen. But in autumn, neverf

4

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1934.

MOTOR JOTTINGS

GOOD BUSINESS

Some High Lights Of The Show

Great satisfaction is expressed on all sides at the volume of business being done at Olympia. "" The "percentage of purchasers among the visitors appears to be higher than ever before, and several factory heads will have their work cut out" for many weeks to come to keep abreast of orders. It is interesting to ob- serve that of the business placed

a

considerable proportion is re- presented by orders for open cars. Perhaps the modern motorist is recovering some of the hardiness of the pioneers, who had Bttle' choice in the matter 1

Another striking point is that many purchasers seem indifferent as to the number of cylinders provided. They are far more concerned with price, and body. work than with engine detalis. This is a high tribute.to engine designers. who, assisted by modern methods of balancing and mounting power units, bave now achieved with four cylinders a smoothness of running which until recently could only be secured with six or even more. On the coachwork side there is a big battle between the streamline and normal schools. The indica- tions are that as in

50 many be matters-a compromise will accepted between the extremes, It will be very interesting when the Olympia Show of 1935 opens to see precisely the form which this compromise has taken.

TRAFFIC CHAOS

IN TEN YEARS

Private Cars To Be Banned In Cities?

What will be the conditions gov- crning London traffic ten years hence?

Will there be complete chaos or will vast alterations completely change road transport as it exists at present?

The Motor Show at Olympia de- monstrated that the demand for motor-cars continues to increase, the tendency being still more marked this year with the lower horsepower tax coming into opera- tlori on January 1. »

of

POWER OF THE PURSE

Early Attention To Danger Spots

An announcement of import- ance was made by Mr. Hore-Be- lisha, the Minister of Transport, when speaking at Devonport he referred to the power he possesses, of attaching conditions to grants made from the Road Fund to local authorities for road-con- struction purposes, and added. "I intend to make full use of that power to foster the interests of public safety."

In the future' Chief Constables are to report to the Ministry of Transport on the circumstances of every accident alleged to be in any way due to a road defect. ' The section will be carefully ex- amined, and should it be decided. that improvement is necessary, instructions

been bave

issued

that the work shall be given priority for grant over all ather - Improvement works in the dis- trict. This is the practical, sound method of improving the general condition of our roads, and a move to be welcomed. It might have been expected that it would have been adopted years ago.

In the same speech the Minister wisely intimated that he expects the standard of every new road to be high, with, wherever appro- priate, a central reserve or line of islands dividing traffic moving in opposite directions. Furthermore, there is to be a separate path for pedestrians, and proposals to widen carriageways in such a way as to deprive the pedestrian of his footpaths will not receive grants from the Road Fund..

THE NOISE FIEND

"Whipsnade" The Remedy?

at

Lord Horder, Chairman of the Anti-Noise League, told the Hotels and Restaurants Association. 01 Great Britain, in conference Bournemouth of a few more noise fiends who ought to be in a human Whipsnade.

a

In the past ten years the number vehicles (including motor- cycles) registered in Great Britain has risen from 1,141,400 to 2,282,000. According to Sir Herbert Austin, this latter number will be double. in the next ten years.

"The shouting page-boy wanting Mr. Smith and never finding him is, thank God, not so common as he used to be," said Lord. Horder. "Of course he loves the job. He

whom was one of those for human Whipsnade would be very suitable. The appearance of the uttle chap with his short-coated jacket, had a peculiar psychologie- al effect on hotel guests. The ap- plication of a little corporal cor- In 1923 no fewer than 198,979 rection was so tempting as almost vehicles were registered in the "to increase one's agony.”, London County Council area. Last

Public interest in the suppressions

rather than diminish, continued Lord Horder.

year the number was 513,278. In of noise would tend to increase these ten years the dally number of vehicles passing Hyde Park cor- ner increased from 58,000 to 82,000; through Trafalgar Square from 42,000 to 65,000, and across Black friars Bridge from 30,000 to 42,000, The speed-up effected by traffe light control has been more than offset by the laying down of pedes trian crossings and the increase in the number of vehicles.

He suggested that the Anti-Noise League and hotel keepers had a common interest in co-operating, and conferring in regard to pre- ventable and needless noises in- side and in the immediate vicinity of hotels.

Noise hating. noise indifferent, and noise loving were three sec- tions into which the public might be divided. ́ ́.

What Experts Think The following opinions given by leading traffic experts' to 'a, zupre- While an unholy din might be a sentative of the Morning Post" (good thing in the right place, a clearly demonstrate the urgent sort of Whipsnade might be ar- need of steps to relleve traffic con- ranged for those who must make a gestion in the Metropolis:

noise to get that "very modern" Sir Herbert Austin said: "Un- self-expression, a phase which less steps are taken to prevent it. started at the age of about three. London traffic will be at a virtual The noise-hating and holse-lov~ standstill in ten years' time. There ing sections of the publié, he sug- are about 2,250,000 vehicles in gested, should be separately cater- Great Britain. In ten years there ed for-by hotels, will be 5,000,000. The ideal solu- "There are certain health re- tion, of course, is to increase the scrts," he continued, "that have area of road surface wherever never made

up their minds .congestion exists. Where this is whether they want to be another impossible by reason of cost, re- Blackpool or what a health resort gulations to reduce congestion will should be in our use of the term- have to be made, ..

a place where we (the medical

I believe that sooner or later profession) can send not only

patients who want quiet and rest, whose but overworked citizens,

all private cars will be banned from main roads in Central' Lon- don during the day-time. Car nerves have been strained krid far- owners will have to leave their red by the conditions of "modern" "cars on the outskirts.

.Iife."

"Possibly the London Transport Noise which he would like to Board will create a fleet of fast, abolish in hotels were bells, cor- comfortable first-class buses for ridor noise, cleaning operations this new type of passenger Cars with those infernal brooms that and taxicabs with only one or two banged against the side of the cor passengers each will not be allow ridor in the early morning— ed to add to the congestion, which vacuum cleaners, the washing up retards the public service whicks of plates in the basement the with its 50 or more passengers. . noise of which came up to the tired “Horse-drawn trație will prop, occupant in his room at the top ably be limited to certain streets through what seemed to him to and the delivery of goods to slack be a fendishly designed central

Shaft

times of the day"

BY-PASS DEATH TRAPS

Recently

2, correspondent in The Times took up the cudgels In a reasoned defence of moto- rists, emphasising a point to which attention has often been -drawn in The Autocar. He re- mladed his readers that by far the greater number of road ac- cidents occur th bulit-up areas, yet, despite this fact, more and more such areas are being allow- ed to spring up. He referred particularly to bullding develop- ment alongside by-pass roads which have been constructed with money taken in special taxa- tion from the motoring commu- nity. Ribbon building on these by-passes has been, if not actu- ally encouraged, at least per- mitted by local authorities, re- gardless of the inconvenience. delay and danger that such deve. lopment must cause

It is notoriously easy to be wise after the event, but it cannot be denied that there has been a lamentable lack of wisdom on the part of those who have al- lowed many of our expensive by- passes to become crowded sudur- ban streets. It has been said that we shall soon have to by- pass the by-passes, and if this is so the question arises: who will foot the bill? The answer is "the motorist.”

"Ribbon Bulding Menace

It is a great pity that we have no permanent dictator for road construction and development. He might not be any more en- cient than the long list of Minis- ters

of Transport who have graced Whitehall ·Gardens dur- ing the past fourteen years. · but at any rate he would be there to take the blame for all the idiotic things that were done in his

name.

With our present system the culprit, as a rule, has relin- quished his post by the time that the full futility of his methods has become apparent.

One cannot make omelettes without breaking eggs, and It would be unreasonable to expect such a transformation as bas come about in road development

"SECONDS OUT!!” MASTER ROBOTS

โ

He Men Produce Motor Cars

Years and years ago—and even longer than that-I falled to make good as the editor of a small paper because I could not play an instrument suitable for the proprietors' orchestra. writes a correspondent. I anı now won- dering whether one has a better chance of a' cushy. Job; with Chryslers If one can shine In the boxing ring. They have a won- derful social and athletic club at- tached to the works, and one night last week they held "Grand Boxing Entertainment." where many of the "big noises" of the motoring world saw

in Chrysler man

four-round contest with a Pyrene champion, another Chrysler man "versus ' Firestone man, and still another. Chrysler man "versus" the best

man

a

&

the Lissen people could And. There were also profession- al matches, but having witnessed the recent Petersen Gains-con- test, I think I should have pre- ferred the amateurs, although I would have liked to see Teddy Baldock, the famous retired champion. who gave an exbib!- tion bout just for the good of the sport.

I always hear of them affairs when they are over and the bat- tles are fought again by proxy over the lunch table.

Anyway, it

is good to know that the men in "our motor car factories have such enthusiasm as to be able to stage an affair of this kind, and that our motor cars are produced by real he-men,

in this country since the War, to have been achieved without making mistakes. The trouble

W

is that is obviously and imme- dlately a mistake to the mind of the thoughtful motorist is re- cognised as such by our rulers months or even years after it has been made, by which time it has probably been repeated a dozen times in different parts of the 'country. Ribbon development of by-pass or new arterial road's in. a danger which has been pointed out time after time for many

To Control Traffic

Presumably the Minister of Transport is not a believer in the old saying, "More haste, less speed." As a thruster" it la safe to say that his equal has never been seen in a great Gor- erument department. The ink is scarcely dry on one of his "ukazes” before another is engaging the attention of the printers. It may be that he believes in "second thoughts being best, but, if so, he must waste very little time on his first thoughts-too little some- times, as was evidenced by the discontinuance of the """ signis for uncontrolled pedestrian cross- ings.

"We are all in favour of Mr. Hore-Bellsha getting on with his Job. but we confess to a slight feeling of giddiness at the rapidity with which he does it. rn theory at any rate,, Minister's latest-effort to regulate traffic by master robots over a fairly' wide area is to be commended, but it -remains to be seen whether the

new scheme has been suficiently .... tested to justify the projected ex- penditure of £40,000 on it." If the claims made for the elasticity

of the master robot control are www well founded, the money will not be wasted, for there is very real annoyance in being held up for a fired period at a road crossing when there are no vehicles wait- ing to cross one's bows. Precisely - in what respect the new systemi will be better than the trame- actuated signals it is not easy to understand, but if, as we believe, the idea is to arrange for several consecutive sections of street - to be so controlled that a clear rum through them is assured, motor, ists will not have cause for com- .plaint. What we do urge -upon Mr. Hore-Belaha is that he gives the new system in the Maryle: bone district a really adequate trial before deciding to extend it to the country as a whole.

years... but the recent operding of the Guildford and Godalming- by-pass was the first occasion on which oficialdom, gave evidence of having awoken to the fact

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