1935-08-20 — Page 2

Page

CARS OF TO-DAY KEEPING COOL

Standard Sixteen With 20 h.p. Engine

The Standard Sixteen can be had with a 20 h.p. englie and higher back axle ratio withou, extra cost, and is reviewed here in this style, writes a correspond- ent..

The body has four good door- ways and six side windows which give a proper view. Over the four door windows are glass louvres, _verta.ors are in the sides of the scuttle, and the fore part of the roof can be slid back by "a central handle. There are two visors, an execellent reflecting mirror, and two large cupboards or shelves at the sides of the compact Veed instrument pane.. Each door has a large pocket, and useful cup- boards are alongside the side arm- rests at the back. Two swiches enable the roof light o be turned on or on frera elther s.de. There are astrays at the back, where the floor practically flat. The body is designed as a 4-5-seater Another two inches in the beam in front would be useful, and ad- justable armres.a on the doors would not be amiss. Entrance all

and is quite good; it is just pos sible geo to the offside front Seat from the nearside; the for- ward seats are adjustable and- like the rear one--are comfortable. and in their backs are flush-tang tables with not too sharp an angla. The screen will just give a direct view. The tandem wipers work" from the bottom and, are out of the driver's vialan when not in use. Automatic engine restarting is fitted; this is useful when the free-wheel is in operation. A loc- ker behind takes luggage. and there are permanent jacks.

I never uke the screw.bonnet. clip. On the near-side the make- and-break and distributor-wlin wholly automate movement and a micrometer adjuster-is handy above the head. The carburettor with its air cleaner, the petrol pump and glass bowl filter, and the tappets for the side valves are on this, side also. The water cir- culation is thermosta, lealy con- trolled, the fan is combined with the impeller, and the driving belt also turns the dynamo spindle. There are water taps on the off- side for the radiator and the jac- kets; these, with the coll, oil filler, and breather, the light connect-

are above the for lons, which

i

11

Of minor discomforts to which' the human anatomy is subject, cold feet are among the worst. But they are not so uncomfortable" as hot feet. Too many cars over- heat the feet of heir front occup- ants Take an inexpensive car "If that unit travels downwards at

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1935.

MOTOR JOTTINGS

MOTORING IN AUSTRALIA

into mountainous country; there Strict Enforcement Of Law

will often be a ceaseless flow of hot funies through every gap in the flooring, and much radiation. of hot air from the exhaust pipe, the back end of the engine, ahd iles close beneath the boards, *** Some designers attempt to dis- sipate this warm air by means of small shutters opening through the sides and roof of the scuttle. But these are mere palliatives; they create draughts. Obviously. the best policy Les in an exclu- sion of the warm air altogether. Nor is the preferable system in- trinsically expensive. If the ex- haust pipe is led downwards at the front or at the centre of an engine. the pipe will be somewhat ecoled before it reaches the neigh- bourhood of the cockpit. There a pressed metal might well be bulkhead, enclosing an insulant air space, between engine and passengers, and terminating along its lower edge in a deflector plaje, which should "shout most of the warm air and fumes clear of the body.

Qu'lè a number of modern cars, educe the inevitable holes in che floor, through which control levers and peda's pass," to an absolu.e minimum, and utilise some sim- ple form of rubber stuffing gland and to exclude fumes, heat draughts. It is even probable that in the ideal comfort car of to- morrow the roof of the scuttle will be duplex and contain an air space.

:

For at present the sun beats down upon a metal box, beneath which repose the legs of the front Occupants. In real summer wea- ther the scuttle becomes almost to hot to touch, and the sun's heat is thus added to any heat con- veyed aft from the engine.

In blistering wea.her the con- trast in temperature between a carelessly designed steel body and certain other types is very notice- "able. The skin of a fabric body. for example, never becomes so hoin my experience, under sun rays as is the case with an all- metal body. The matter is not, perhaps, of prime importance for horae use: but if it is. noticeable In our comparatively cool climate.

the tropics.

wardly placed cam steering box..it is vital in respect of export to are get-at-able: The starter is also under the bonnet. Oll drain-

be done from under- . age must

neath.

The transmission consists of a single plate dry clutch, a four- speed centrally governed gearbox, an open propeller shaft with nee- die roller-bearing Joints, and a half dating spira pevel driven axle. The change speed lever has à catch for reverse, there is gyn- chro-mestr for 'second as well as third and top, a "free-wheel with in easily worked ca rol is there if it is wanted, and the unit aa serably of engine, clutch, and gearbox has a form of mounting which is called buoyant power with a steadying support midway on the near-side. The tour 'duo servo brakes are worked by cable. by pedal or pull-up hard lever placed between the front seats.

half-elliptical. The

suspension

works with hydraulic shock-ab- sorbers; it has some camber."

ON THE ROAD

"

I liked the look of the car and much improved on farmer it is lines. The 20 hp engine sulis the chassis well; one never feels it is too big for the car, so smooth is the delivery of the power. The Saloon has that measure of ac- celeration and reserve which is untiringo a driver; speed is ob- 'tained w.thout delay or pressure. The free-wheels hardly of use fr gear change, as with the synchro-mesh fited to second as well as third and top, allent 5.raight-through. changes can be made with lightness and without pause. The speed lever is handy and che c'utch ac s with progres, alon yet firmness, which was well demonstrated on one of the climbs. The steering passed my tests, and it is an advantage that the column is telescopic and can be moved at a moment's notice by hand. Thus the wheel can be fairly high withom, the rim cat- ching the driver's vision too much, so that a close-up sitting position -the best for control and

safety

can be obtained with enough rim clearance. The brakes called for a title force, but the, decelera

progressive, and tion was

dress of

eventhe

well sprung

DA

litt e

the tyres or the camber of the springs or both caused a stiffness on a roughened surface. The saloon is not difficult to han- die, and all the safer for the dr.ver's clear view front and back. The front pillars are thick.

Allowing for a slightly fast spee- dometer. the greatest comfortable speed on second, third, and top are about 37, 57, and 70 miles an hout. Over 60 is obtained without undue pushing against the gradient with a strong cross-wind. The rates on the upgraded stretch and the 1 in 22 Dashwood Hil were 15 and 60, and 30 and 48 m.p.h. respectively. With a stand- ing start on third at the bottom of the old hill the top was defeated at 33 and an excellent climb was made with a standing start on top, the crest being passed at 24. This severe trial showed up the clutch well. It took the load without snatch, with the least slip and with gentleness yet frinness:

Was & in the best hic. There cross breeze, two persons were in the ear, and the roads were wet.

Specification-No. of cyls, 6; size 73 by, 108 mm.; capacity.. 2.663.7 .c.; nominal hp.. 19.48; b.n.p. 22. 42. 56, and 60 at 1.000. 2,000, 3,000, and the peak, 3,600 rp.m. no. of inain bearings, 7; overall forward gear raidos, 4.75. 6.52, 10.04, and 17.1 to 1; petrol capacity, 10 gals,; maker's est'- mate of petrol consumption, 19, m.p.g. tyres, 5.6 by 17in turning circle, 381; wheelbase, 9ft 2in, trade, 4ft. Ba...” ground clearance, sin.: weight of car, 260wt.; price,

£285

.

An Australian motorist now on a visit to this country. in giving some interesting particulars of motoring rules, regulations, and conditions "down under," suggests that Britain has something to. learn from Australia in regard to such matters, writes a correspon→ dent. He expresses surprise, for une thing, that we should have a speed limit there used to be one in Australian towns, varying from 15 to 40 m.p.n., but it has been entirly superseded by strict en- forcement of the law as to dange- rous driving.

This country is late, we are told, is imposing a driving text Of that fact we were, of course, fully aware; but evidently the need for tests in Australia was more pronounced, for whereas, according to the Minister of Transport, failures to pass in this country amount to about 10 per cent. among women and 8 per cent. among men, in Australia for some time after a driving test was enforced the failures were as approximately 40 per cent.

Dipping headlights, it is stated. have been prohibited, the reason given beg unconvincing in view 0:

that experience here viz.. when passing oncoming cars mo- torists did not reduce speed in proportion to the distance- tney epuld see ahead with head lamps dipped,, with the result that ac- cidents of this account were numerous. Instead of dipping, drivers must ensure that their headlight beams do not cause dazzle at a neight of more than 31t. above ground level 35 ft. from the..car:

I can indicate my intention to start my car "by hand or indica- tor? There is no recognised "signal to that effect.

On the subject of using the booklet departs from the advice of the new Highway Code: always *135€ it when over taking, the reader is told, whereas the code says, "Do not use the horn un- ecessarily."

Steer into a skid, says this co- ctally commended booklet, is ad- vice to be regarded with caution. What is to be done instead the reader is not told. Allow the car to slide on the road and over. turn. I suppose, or cut of control into

ali on-coming bus! But the limit of absurdity to my mind Ls the advice to the novice given in the the fallowing words:—“Go for's drive and watch yourself. watch- as though you were Ing a beginner whom you were teaching: Are you driving

1.3

well as you can?" Would not be equally good advice to the French scholar to tell him to listen to his own pronunciation of the French language and note his

errors?

DIFFERENT LIMITS Not for the first time has the question been raised why goods vehicles and passenger vehicles of the same weight should be diferent limits of subject

speed.

to

A 'bus or coach carrying 30 to 50 passengers is permitted to travel faster than a goods vehicle of the AIDE

and if he wants to cross diagonally from corner to corner he sees no reason why he should do so two safe stages.

the

It certainly does not make tur mutually good tealing when pedestrian steps in front of a ca as the green light shows. The motorist is annoyed at the stupi- dity of the pedestralan; and the latter is cross with the driver for his lack of consideration

Where there are signals. how- ever, some way must be found to protect the driver from this kind Perhaps the of "annoyance. automatic signal is a definite sign of a new order of things on the. road an order in which the pedestrian will be regulated as well as the driver'

FAULTY EQUIPMENT Many complaints are heard nowadays of faulty equipment. They do not refer to any particu- lar item or to the products of any particular manufacturer, nor are they confined to items itted to th cheaper class of car. Actually standardisation has been carried so far that exactly the same com- ponient is to be found on cars of widely different prices and ta just as likely to be a source of trouble in one case as the other.

Many items of equipment have deteriorated, and their producers, in a candid mood, will admit a lowering of quality. They have an explanation, however, and that 1s the continuous demand from car manufacturers for a lower- priced article.

It may not be realised how large a contribution to present- day prices has been made by the accessory manufacturer. His co- is operation to price reduction unladen weight.

Immediately invited, and most This rather suggests a disregard

cases he can only do it by him- for the safety of passengers, but

self reducing production costs. the difference had its origin in

The result is seen to-day in the the closer control of passenger "A peculiar lighting regulation is

minor troubles which seem to be vehicles under the licensing sys- that the tall-lamp must be con-

the Road steadily growing, tem introduced by trolled by a switch at the back of

Sometimes the maker of the from the car, not

the

Traffic Act. driving

faulty, car 18 blamed and. There still is an obvious diffe seat, the object being to brevent

sometimes maker of, the faulty. a driver from switching off the rence in the way that, passenger

article, but probably the car illumination of his rear number-

service vehicles are maintained

manufacturer should right be plate and driving on after being. and goods" vehicles as a whole.

blamed for setting the standard. involved in an accident at night.

Another point of note is that every time a car licence is renew- ed an Australian car is liable to be demanded for ocial examination "with a view to its being tested as

tr nose and brake efficiency.

ILL-CONCEIVED ADVILE

Not infrequently in the past i have read in motoring publica- tions and the general press, booklets and manuals, items of advice directed to motorists thal had better have been left un- written; they were 1-conceived. to say the very least, for in some cases they would have led the reader who did as suggested into » serious trouble.

I am reminded or these 111- advised "hints and tips" by read-· ing a booklet issued, presumably for publicity purposes, by a com- pany with interests Indirectly concerned with motoring. As no doubt will be the case with a great many of the people into whose hands it finds its way, my atterition was more forecibly drawn to its contents by the fact of its having some introductory remarks" by Mr. Hore-Belisha, Minister of Transport. The latter commends the booklet by stating that the advice therein is approv- ed by his Department. "Study (1. follow it; teach it." he adds.

Well, if Mr. Hore-Belisha's De- partment approves every item of advice given in this booklet 1. would suggest that the Ministry of Transport oficials need a lot more coaching as to how a car shorid or can be driven

In the third paragraph of this booklet-commended by the Mini- ster of Transport, be it remern- bered I read:-"It is almost, if not quite, Eterally true to say that a good driver never (the last word in italics) uses his brakes. except in emergencies caused by "other people's'efrors of judgment. The use of the brakes to control speed is never justifiable; that is what the rearbox atid accelerator are for Heally. I must éjacu- late, “What” notikensePlus is a Judge: "The Furry finds you ign of bad driving, for instance, guilty."

to control cine's speed down a hill by means of the lakes?

"WATCH YOURSELI Continuing to read th mentioned above, I and the motorist is told: signal your intention from rest by hand or ind Will some one please tell

commodating

Prisoner: "That's all right, Judge, I know you're too intelligent to be influenced by what they say

Judge: "You

can take your choice, $10 or ten days"

Prisoner (still in a foggy condi- Hon): "Tll take the money, yr

· honour.

H

The average standard of Heavy goods vehicles are also controlled and subject to inspection, their standard of maintenance is bound to be higher, and any reason for limiting their speed below that of similar chassis used for passeti- ger-carrying disappears.

The modern goods vehicle is an admirable piece of mechanisms, eadly controlled and efficiently. Braked. It is as safe"at 30 m.p.h. as a 'bus or coach, and the time for more favourable treatment in this respect would seem to have arrived. That the limit is re-n gularly exceeded provides no rea-. son for changing ft. but the tact remains that no harm follows a reasonable excess.

One would like to see a change of policy 'In this direction. Let the maker eliminate unnecessary ettings and pay a fair price for better fitings. The makers of equipment would be far happier and so would motor car owners, It seems foolish that several com- mon items of equipment, are often

case of fallure,” duplicated in What is the good of producing sound and efficient cars if essen- dial accessories of doubtful re- liability are carried.

MORE MOTORING OFFENCES-

According to a recent return, there has been a considerable in- crease in the number of pro- secutions for motoring offences during the past year.

the

THE NEW SIGNALS

The yield in Anes shows a`cor-" On the whole the new sytem of

cesponding growth, but the aver- traffic signals is working admir-

not very high, and ably. Many had doubts of their age fine is

critics point to this as an indica- success at some of the more com-

tion of the leniency with which plicated road junctions, but act- ually difficulties have been few, motorists are treated 12

courts That is not a fair argu and may be largely overcome by

ment, however, and rather does some adjustment of the time

It prove that the vast majority cycle, apart from the automatic

of charies relate to trival offen- operation. There are points at

of: ces. which the tall of one line traffic cannot clear another be- fore the lights change again, thus immobilising vehicles in the act of crossing.

OC-.

This may only happen essionally or just ·at certain periods, but it indicates the com- plex problem which is represented by the timing of these signals. Where the signals are really ap preciated by most of us are at such simple crossings as Bt. Vin- cent Street-Hope Street, Now at such points all worry and 1o sponsibility cease, Drivers have Just to obey the signals, and not to crawl anxiously into the cross street working out half a dozen time and speed problems, as they ste vehicles coming from: alt <directions:

TRAM-STOP WARNING To those who are now

in the city regularly a word of warning may not be out of place

to tram stoppin of these have bren

engers may expectedly f one has the Hopping PÍSES,

mairis simpl

ags He

not earn

The proportion of serious char- ges and sentences of imprison- ment to the total charges and convictions is small, not because the police or bench are neglectful of their duty, but because "the graver offences are the exception. That so many motorists are acquitted of various charges is also sign of dereliction of duty in the eyes of the prejudiced, but here, again, there is another point of view which suggests that too many cases are brought which cannot be substantiated.

Serious offences when fully proved deserve to be seriously punished. As a rule they are, and it might be suggested that the critics should not base their accusations of failure of duty on reports of cases which often fall to represent the Falance of ovidence

Another year will show a fur- ther and greater increase in motoring offences, as they will be swelled by the new limit.

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