1928-11-24 — Page 13

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.

IMPORTANCE OF CAR DESIGN.

Body Planned Ahead of Chassis.

The automobile body has become matter of performance, reliability, -the chief objective of automotivo, economy and durability,

engineers.

But when we come to analyze the Where until only recently the various body designs or tendencies body designer had to plan his proof today, we find a wide variance duct to fit the chassis, today Ito is among auto manufacturers. Unli beginning to dictate the type of this difference is limited, or body chassis that should be built to suit specifications standardized, the nu the body he designs. Thus the tatomobile owner will have difficulty bles have been turned, and for the choosing one body after he has good reason of popular demand. been used to another.

For, take it from automobile Measurements Vary Widely, builders who have made a close!

For instance, we find some nuto- study of the subject, the first thing mobiles as narrow 'as 36 inches a person considers in the purchase across the front seat, while others of a new car-after its cost, of reach more than 16 inches across. course is style. The second con- Obviously the fellow who has been sideration in comfort. And only used to driving in the wider car after these two fundamentals in will feel cramped and uncomforta- body design has satisfied the cus-le in the other type, and the one tomer, does he turn to considera who has been used to the smaller tion of the engine or chassis in the car will feel lost in the wider one,"

MOTORING SUPPLEMENT.

There are similar wide differ happens to the squaroness of the ences in head room, In Interior frame," says Kreusser, as an ex- length of body, in the distance of ample. Some frames twist as much front seat from the steering wheel, as six inches out of true, the doora in the space between front pilar either jam or can't close, a wheel and the seat and in other essentials might be bearing heavily on its of body design. All those bave housing and another might spin much to do in winning or losing without traction. a customer for a certain car.

Further to show the lack of co- toward standardization are tho ob- operation among body designers

structivo' positions of sun visors, windshield cleaners, the tops of cars and the pillars in front.

Many Faults to Correct,

Then there are the squénks and rattles to locate which might ro-

holstery and taking most of "the quire ripping off some of the up-

body apart.

1

Costly Cars May Be Worse.

"There seems to be no direct re- lationship between the price of, a

ed in body construction alone looks anya Kreusser. "Usually it is in an A list of the troubles encounter-ear and its freedom from squeaks,” like the wrecking of a junk car. inverse ratio, and the more, expen- These ills were reviewed recently sive the car is, the more dificult by O. T. Kreusser, director of the it is to locate the squeaks. General Motors Proving Ground at Milford, Mich., in a talk before the Detroit section of the Society of Automotive Engineers. They show how far the body engineer still has to go to make his product acceptable and efficient.

First, there is lack of rigidity in many of our automobiles, steel body notwithstanding. Roll one wheel up an incline and mensure what

A NEW TYPE of

GARDNER HEAVY-OIL ENGINE

Starts from cold without the use of starting lamps, electric

or other pre-heating device.

Ideal for the propulsion of all classes

of Commercial and Pleasure Craft.

SOLE AGENTS :---

Direct Reversing controlled. by one hand wheel.

Variable Speed Governor -range from 3 to full speed. Fuel Consumption 4 lb. per B.H.P. hour.

Built in many sizes. 36 to 500 B.H.P.

And the worst part of our pees- ent body designs, he adds, is that even if a squeak is located, no one has the heart to rip out all that is necessary to gel at it.

Steering rigidity is another cause for worry of the driver, and the firmness-or lack of firmness----of the front end is an additional bother. Heat from the engine in summer and cold draughts in win- ler also aid to the Indictments against present body designing.

Kreusser finds fault with almost every part in the construction of the body-from the radiator cap in front to the size. of the rear win- dows, and the "blind spot" ocen- sfoned by the bow of the body in the back.

But satisfaction may be derived from the fact that finally manufac- turers are devoting their main thoughts to improvement of the body. For they realize today that it is the body that sells the car, even more than the motor,

BY THE WAY

ASSING

Gustard Common

NORRIS, HENTY & GARDNERS, PLinke, Hertfordshire, a Morris

LIMITED. (Propilelors: L. Gardner & Sons, Ltd. J

DODWELL & CO., LTD.,

HONGKONG and SHANGHAI.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE REAL COMFORT

· MAKES

You'll notice it first when you settle yourself comfortably into the deep-cushioned, form-fitting seat and stretch your legs in its roomy interior. You'll be still more deeply impressed when you take a drive and discover how its four Lovejoy hydraulic shock absorbers transform even the roughest roads into smooth-riding boulevards. And you'll appreciate the complete restfulness- the final touch of fine-car luxury--which results from a rubber-cushioned chassis, a silenced interior and a new, vibrationless 55-horsepower engine. Come drive the car that thousands are buying. Find out what a difference real comfort maltes!

Roadster.

Touring

M$2,500.00 M$2,500.00

Sedan (2-door)......M$2,600.00 -

Bedan (4-door)......M$2,800,00

The Dragon Motor Car Co., Ltd.

Telephone Central 1246 or 1247.

33, Wong Nei Chung Road, Happy Valley,

OLDSMOBILE

PAGSUOT OF OBNERAL MOTOR

THE

FINB

OF

LO W PRIG 1.

owner recently intercepted n golf ball with his near-side front hendlamp and carried it away,

*

"Poul," wrote the

LEASE send me the amount

garageman to the motorist who was chronically slow with the cash.

"Certainly," answered the slow guy, "it in $136.72,"

A

[]

CCORDING to the Automobile Club of Southern California, there are 765 types of motor vehicles offered on the market at present, at prices running from $400 to $12,000.

*

HE junk car has been vindi-

Teated. According to an in-

surance company report received by the California State Automobile Association, only two per cent. of malor vehicle hccidents are traced to defective or old automobiles.

•

automobile ranks as

TCanada's

fifth industry, according to offcial figures.

It is confined almost entirely to the Province of Ontario.

TOURISTS may take their auto-

Tmobiles with them to Cuba

duty free, according to that island's latest rullnig. The tourist's automobile is considered personal baggage. ‚'

• 13 *

R. Julian Wylic, the well-

Mknown London threatrical

producer, has staged a sen- sational modern musical comedy, "Mister Cinders,” in which Binnie. Hale and Bobby Howes are the chief sturs.

These stars actually uso an A

British Ariel motor cyclo and sidecar on the stage in a thrilling adventure in catching a moving; train.

M

[OTORISTS visiting Berlin, Germany, may be guided through the city and vicini-

ly by export guides furnished by the German automobile club. Besides giving detailed informa- tion of the city, the guide sita beside the drivor and directs him from place to place.

* *

[THE Chief Constables' report

Safety First Association in- dicates that a very large propor tion of street accidents result directly through pedestrians step- ping off the pavement In front of motor traffic. It has been sug- gested that a safety line along the centre of footpaths, similar to the white line common on roads, be adopted.

WATCH YOUR STEPÍ

The American 'Automobile Association finda that оде motorist out of every five was mixed up in some traffic violation each year.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1928.

FIRT Mad 20

od

NO FURTHER COMMENT NEEDED !

Sole Agents for Hongkong; Canton and Macao SOC. ITALIANA, IMP. ESTREMO ORIENTE, LTD.

·Managers —A. GOEKE & COMPANY.

FIAT 320

NOW ON SHOW

SHOWROOMS AND OFFICES

67. Das Vax Road C.

Tel. C. 4821,

WORKSHOP 47, Des Vœux 'Road, G. Tel. 0.4821:

CHRYSLER

presents

entirely new style creations in the low-priced field

Plymouth 4-Door Saloon

PLYMOUTH

ALL: Chrysler research, engineering and

manufacturing have been inspired by the fundamental motive of giving, ever greater quality and value.

Now with a new product--the Plymouth -Chrysler is the first to give at so low a price the advantages of performance, riding ease, dependability and full adult size which characterise fine cars of higher price.

The Plymouth finally answers the search

A.

for quality in the low-priced field. The Plymouth assures in its advantages the full measure of quality and value to which buyers of low-priced cara havė long been entitled.

We believe there has never been ́s car anywhere near its price that can approach the Plymouth for power, pick-up,smooth- nesi, eary handling, safety, quietness and roomincis-nor that can equal it in beauty and style.

LUNG & CO.

19, Queen's Road, C.

Tel. C. 1219.