1935-03-19 — Page 2

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MOTOR NOTES FROM GREAT BRITAIN

(From a London" Correspondent)

WATCHING THE MARKETS”

The arrangements undertaken by the Society of Motor Manu- facturers, and Traders for facili- tating the interests of the British motor industry in the most im-

ment. This type of traction motor has bean: produced to suit such special conditions will be met with in this instance, where long and steep radlents have to he surmounted and considerable ex-

portant markets have been contra duty is thrown on the motor,

made

siderably extended recently and may now be sald to be complete Resident representatives have./of course, been established for the past seven years or so in Aus- tralla, New Zealand and South Africa, while more recently a similar appointment was for India. which also includes Burma and Ceylon. In addition, correspondents have been ap- pointed at Batavia to study con- ditions in the Netherlands East Indies, and at Cairo for the markets of Egypt, Sudan, Pales- tine, Syria, Iraq and Arabia. The latest appointment is that of Mr. K:A. Greene, K.C., of 53. Metcalfe Street. Ottawa, Canada as cor- respondent.

This last undoutedly, reflects interesting developments in the Canadian market where there are brighter prospects for British cars. A special factory represen-

the standard tative of

Co, for instance. has been making ‘ar- rangements for a chain of dis- tributors and dealers covering the entire country.

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

A new Overseas agency has lately been announced by Ley

not only in ascending gradients, but also in providing both re- generative and rheostatic brak- irg.

HORSES WITH A DIFFERENCE

It is anticipated by the sponsors of the Mechanical Horse that the current year will sec virtual end of the old horse-drawn traffic in city streets. There is certainly every justfication for the growing demand that it should be abolish ed, at least during the "peak load" hours of trafile.

For It is not only the owners of such vehicles" who are, losing in the face of the competition of speedy and handy motor vehicles. The congestion and delays caused the long by horse trame to streams of ears, lorries, buses and such like cost literally thousands of pounds while a less obvious trouble is the inevitable nervous hauste following these delays which is a fruitful cause of ac- cidents.

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The

The Mechanical Horse possesses all the mobility of its prototype but hauls far greater loads and at five times Its speed. Scammell, for example, will turn in a circle of 15 feet without re- versing. and operators report

land Motors for the whole New-savings of 20-30 per cent. foundland. This is the New- foundland Tractor & Equipment Co., with premises at St. John's.

The Leyland concern has ar- ranged a number of Overseas tours by prominent factory offi- clals, in order to keep abreast of

transport developments in various

parts of the world. Mr. B.W.

THE IMPORTANCE OF

* • INSULATION..

The uses of asbestos have been known-to-motorists for long time for such purposes as lagging, gaskets, joints etc.. while more

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1935,

MOTOR JOTTINGS

TESTS FOR

PRIVATE

MOTOR CARS

Difficulties Of Ascertaining

Tyre And Brake Efficiency

According to the Minister of Transport, privates car tyres and brakes will be subject to periodi- cal tests before long. The exten- sion of a policy now in force for heavier vehicles may appear lo- gical, but conditions are really very different, and the number of unit cars in use are exceedingly small compared with goods vebi- cles of various types, many own- ers of which have really made proper Inspection necessary by their irresponsibility.

As regards cars, it should suf- fice there were powers to im-. pose a test wherever unfitness was suspected. If every private car is to be examined only once a year a vast amount of expense and trouble will be involved out of all proportion to any practical purpose likely to be served.

· Even now it is not easy to establish when a tyre becomes dangerously worn, and periodical Inspection with a rigid standard

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regards tyre condition pre- sents obvious difficulties. Even braking tests are not as simple as might be thought, and reasonable. accuracy is not easily assured.

hesion thus created is only limited by the shearing resistance of the rubber. That seems a reasonable explanation, yet it does not satis- fy all conditions.

The present standard of effc- tency is based on the velocity pro- duced by gravity, equal to about 22 m.p.h. per second, with a road con-efcient of friction of unity. This at one time was considered as a maximum deceleration, but it is now evident that it can be improved upon, and we now have braking figures claimed by mak- ers which represent 120 to 130 per cent., and in one case re- rently about 170 per cent.

Allowing for inaccuracies, how- ever, it is still evident that 100 per cent can be exceeded under favourable conditions, but such performances should not be rec-

koned on in ordinary use.

Practical Figures

In a paper read recently to a technical society, Mr. F. J. Field, the chief engineer to Ferodo, Ltd, puts the desirable efficiency for a new modern car at 75 per cent... which represents a stopping dis- Most of us who do endeavour

tance of 71 feet in 2.43sec. As re- to maintain maximum braking gards heavy vehicles, he considers efficiency avold emergency atops'

50 per cent, as the desirable min- unless absolutely necessary be- imum, although I have found cause of the stresses produced, from published test-Agures of and the average owner has a various types of commercial ve-

lately blankets of this material psychological objection to apply-hicles and buses that a 50 per have been produced for smothering maximum brake effort except under the stimulus of urgent ne- cessity,

Angel, of the engineering departing petrol fires. ment, left London by air to spend 0 months in Egypt. Palestine and Northern Persia, to which coun- tries many vehicles are being shipped, while other engineers have lately gone out to South Africa.

TRANSPORT OF SUGAR

At first sight there seems little connection between Mauritius, the" British Crown Colony in the In- dian Ocea and ultra-modern- road vehicles. The problem of swift and reliable transport" be- tween the In'and sugar and coffee. estates and Port Louis, the chie? exporting centre, ts, however, of very considerable' importance,

A recent arrival on the island was an A.E.C. Monarch chassis powered by the A.E.C.-Ricardo oil engine, to which a locally built body was fitted. This tnlt is owned by the Mount Sugar Estate and works regularly between the estate and the harbour at Port Louis, Mauritius has a total area of only 720 square miles and is surrounded by coral reefs, but the export of sugar represents over 90 per cent of the total exports.

AAT 40 KNOTS!

Great Britain was the birth- place of the coastal motor boat, which did such excellent

work during the War. As a result of its ne reputation this successful type has been supplied by Thorny- crofts to practically all the world's navies.

The feet already in the service of he Siamese Government is being increased by three more of these craft and at the trials of the first, a speed of over 40 knots was attained. The boats are po- wered with twin Thornycroft 12- cylinder petrol marine engines, each developing 475 BHP.. while there is a smaller auxiliary engine. of 30 BHP. for cruising at about 7 knots.

The armament comprises two ..torpedoes, depth charges and two pairs of Lewis guns. Smoke screen apparatus and wireless equipment" are also carried,

CAPE TOWN'S LATEST"

·Further details are now avail- able of the 50 Ransomes electric trolley bus chassis recently order- ed by the Cape Electric Tramways for Cape Town Although some of the buses will be double and some single-deckers, the chassis are in all essential features iden tical,

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For instance, all will be equipp- ed with Ransomes patent system of automatic regenerative and rheostatic braking, which claimed to give the maximum use- ful regeneration, The main drive motors will, as usual, be of the makers' own manufacture, as also the motors for the air compressor and low tension lighting equip

It is learned that as a result of experiments now being con- ducted at Slough, sound and Are- proof aeroplane cabins are likely to

be use in the "near future. This will be achieved by fitting a thick asbestos bulkhead between the cabin and the engine. Fur- ther the cabin itself will be lined with this material, which will covered with an attractive interior decoration.

a small

It is understood that aeroplane in being prepared for demonstruction, and it is certain that this development will help to popularise air travel as, apart from the additional safety, the greater silence- will be much ap- preced

FROM A FAMOUS FACTORY

If such tests are inevitable, it is for our motoring organisations to consider how they can be most conveniently applied. Some de- finition of an unfit tyre is peces- sary and so is some practical standard

of braking efficiency. How are the brake tests to be car- ried out? Will some form of in- dicator be used, or should it be by distance from a certain speed, or by time and distance only

Brake-Testing Standards There is a feeling, that stand- ards of brake efficiency need re- vision, as there are now braking systems which, under favourable conditions, often give

consider "

ably more than the theoretin maximum of 100 per cent. The possibility of this was doubted a Motor lawn mowers have been few years ago when such claims on the market for a number of were Arst made, but it is now ad- years and have not changed a mitted, although the exact ex- great "deal in appearance, but planailon is not entirely "clear. 2. very interesting departure" in The general opinion is, that on s their 1935 machines has been suitable road surface the "tyre made by Dennis .Bros., the well treads literally gear into inter- known commercial vehicle, and stices in the road, so that the ad-

fire engine manufacturers,

Up to the present wheelbar- row-type guiding handles have

'FLIGHTY”' LANGUAGE always been the accepted pat- tern, but the new machines are "Delightfully expressive, terms fitted" with 压 transverse bar, ure accompanying new develop.

tients in aeronautical science.

"Conservatory roof" is an ex- cellent description of the trans- parent, streamlined hoods now be- ing fitted over the cockpits of high-speed aircraft.

which has the advantage of allowing a variety of hand grips! and so prevents any cramping of the wrists in the coure of a long day's mowing. Another improve- ment is the impulse starter which dispenses with the need for rapid cranking. By means of a trip-action this ensures the generation of a healthy spark, however, low the engine speed may be,

Efficiency

Efficient as most modern car engines are, some of them become even more so if they are fitted with alúminium cylinder heads.

This is fully realised by certain enthusiasts who specialise in the production of substitute alumin tum alloy heads for the power units of popular cars.

.At first sight an invitation to change an engine's head, might seem to be a backhanded compliment to its designer, but in reality it is, a tes-

"Spats" comprehensively ex- plains the streamlined covers over " landing-wheels designed to re-. duce air resistance. "Boots" mean the "floats of a seaplane.

On the other hand, "afracrew" persists in technical quarters for what most of us know as 3 pro peller. The rapid increase in the use of retractile under-carriages also calls for a portmanteau word ́as convenient" as the apparihzeit describes.

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cent.. efficiency is seldom exceed- ed, and that many well-known types give considerably less. Some consider that the publication of exceptional braking efficiencies a not altogether desirable as ukely to make drivers over-confident in the stopping capabilities of car plus driver. Actually, stopping in an emergency upon the mental reaction of the driver as well as upon his brakes. Even the best driver cannot stop in as short a distance during an emergency as he can in a test for which he is, prepared.

All this suggests how difficult it is to determine reasonable, braking and how carefully condi- tions must be considered when it comes to assessing responsibility

the case. in

of accident. It is also evident that if private cars are to be subject to period)- cal braking tests, the nature of these and the standard imposed will need serious discussion by all interested in the mater. We are .all becoming brake conscious nowadays, but we must not be misled into accepting impractic able standards of efficiency.

FANCIFUL "REGISTRATION

NUMBERS"

Motorists in America are "allow- ed greater latitude in the choice of fanciful registration numbers than they are, in Britain.

Anyone-provided he applies early enough-may have a single number or letter, or his initials, on the registration plate of his car.

"Application for these distinctive numbers has to be made each ..year, and the New York State authorities have just issued their Hist of such allocations for 1935.

Governor Tehman has secured Nos. 1 and 2; one of President Roosevelt's cars is Nos 3; and ex- Governor Al Smith has two cara numbered 4 and 6.

Those who prefer letters usual ly choose their own initials. Mr. John Curry, the former Tam- many "Boss, has been first ap

plicant this year of piám "Ou leaving Mr. Chrysler, the motor magnate, to content himself with "C33.

Naming Problems Aircraft manufacturers might, too, follow the lead of the motor industry in giving recognisable type-names to their products. Some are descriptively named. Others are designated by an in- easy combination of letters and figures, which, become more be-. wildering as the tribe increases. tion have shown some ingenuity England la "A1" on the registra- The most distinctive number in Imperial Airways, in this connec- in the naming of their craft

tion plate of a Daimler owned by While they adhere to a pretera Plymouth motor dealer. ence for history and the classics, all the names begin with the same letter as the makers.

timonial to bim. for it would not be worth while to standardise an aluminium head for any model that was not a "beat seller"

Aluminium Alloy Cylinder Heads, Ltd, of Manor Gardens,

make the Bliverton This Hengist and Horss and SW.3, who head recently announced substan-" their bulky brethren with whom tial price reductions. To the list London-Faris travellers are fami- of engines for which these high- lar are from the Handley-Page efficiency heads have been avall-establishment; Athena, Androme able for many years are now add- da, and their sisters on the Em- ed the new Morris Eight and the pirs routes are from the Arm- De Luxe Ford.

strong workm. »

Original "A 17

This number was originally al- located to the chairman of the LC,C, when the Registration “Act was passed in 1903. Several cazɛ have borne the number since then.

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The most appropriate number plate that has ever been seen was

carried by a car that was the last word in costly magniicence.

The number was. "OU7500025,

GOOD NEWS

AUTO RESEARCH WORK

Co-operative Action Valuable

A Sound Five Years relation to some particular pro- Plan For The Roads

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At last the Government seem to have realised that British roads need overhauling. The Minister of Transport, has announced a

"Five Years Plan," which is to include many important, deve- lopments that have been awalted

by motorists. with growing in- patience ever since the formation, a 1909, of a special Road. Fund for highway improvement.

to

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Broadly speaking, private firms only undertake research work in

blem affecting their own products, and have neither time nor money to undertake work on fundamen- tal problems affecting the whole Industry in which they are eng- aged. Researches of the later type, which are often very costly, can be carried out on a co-opera- tive basis, and it was for this rea- son that the research department of the Institution of Automobile Engineers was created. This de- partment, which has now been in existence for three and a half years has the full co-operation and sympathy of the Government, through its Department of Scien- tific and Industrial Research; and industry

Among the work to be under- taken under the Pian is the ell-. mination of weak railway bridalso of the motor. ges-no teference is made to the through the Society of Motor abolition of level crossings-while Manufacturers and Traders. The oneway roads, with dividing sirips

excellent, work carried out by the department in the investiga- between them, cycling tracks by the road sides; the banking of

tion of cylinder wear forms »a corners, the removal of bind cor-

striking example of the value öf ners, the reduction of excessive

co-operative action, since it has camber and a serious attempt to

been estimated by the chief en- deal with the dangers of cross-

gineer of one of our leading roads are all scheduled for official

manufacturers that the investiga- tion will save the industry more attention. A polot that will special- .ly appeal road authorities

money in a short time than the throughout the country is the

whole cost of the research de- Minister's promise so to regulate

partment to date. Other resear- the allocation of grants from the

ches which have either been com- Road Fund that county and dis-

pleted or are now receiving at- trict councils will be able to plani

tention relate to the factors influencing the rate at which an well ahead without feeling that they may be left in the lurch with

exhaust valve hammers itself important work only half finish- into its seat, with measurement of ed..

the wear resistance of a large number of seat materials; the effect on lubricating oil consump- tion of engine speed, rate of oll feed, ring and piston clearances, &c. the limiting loads and tem- peratures of modern bearing ma- terials: exhaust silencing; and the wear and frictional propert- ies of brake linings and drum materials. Several of these pro- blems have already received spas- modic attention by various re search workers, but require fur- ther investigation. An appeal is now being made for increased support. for the department, par- ticularly by an increase in the

ones.

It has always been contended that much more than has been done hitherto could be achieved by improving and modernising exlating roads without necessarily embarking on vast expenditure

Mr. Hore-Bellsha" for new now appears to appreciate the force of this view: New roads are, of course, sometimes necessary, but they take a long time to build. What is required to-day, far more than a great addition to our road mileage, is the speedy removal of the many out-of-date features of the highways we already possess.

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number of afliated companies. Some estimation of the apprecia- tion in which the work already done is held by such companies is afforded by the fact that their number has Increas- ed from 28 to 160 in the period since the department was form ed. The amitated companies in clude not only manufacturers of private cars, commercial vehicles and motor cycles, but also fleet operators. companies, tyre manufacturers, iron and steel works, and manufacturers of a. wide range of accessories. It will thus be evident that a member- ship of 160, although encouraging in its way, represents only a small proportion of the companies who might support the department with mutual advantage.

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ARE THEY LEGAL?

Pedestrian Crossing Regula. tions Challenged

Much has been heard the past few days about the le- gality or otherwise of the regula tions' ordering vehicle drivers" to give right oft way to pedestrians at the Belisha crossings. The ques- -tion really seems to be: was the

issuing of these regulations matter of genuine urgency? The Minister of Transport thought" that is was, so he issued provi- sional regulations which can be put into effect at once. Regula- tions which are not provisional require forty days notice, In order to justify the issuing of provisional regulations the Min- ister has only to be satisfied that the need they are designed to

meet is so pressing that serious consequences «would result from waiting forty days before they could become effective. In the case of either provisional or final regulations copies of them must be presented to both Houses of Parliament as soon as they be- come effective and objections to them may be lodged during". & period of twenty-eight days.

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SIXDERED

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Ploncer Manufacturers of Commersial Motor

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Full Range of Spares carried in Hong Kong and Shanghak

4 or 6 Wheels

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Pioneer Building, Nathan Road, Kowloon.

TEL. 56759.

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