1928-12-15 — Page 17

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.

1929 PREDICTIONS.

European Car With Front Wheel Drive.

INNOVATIONS FOR NEW YORK SHOW.

When the now automobiles are appraised next January in the Inaugural show for 1920 at New York, at least two outstanding features will be noticed.

One will be the introduction of European manufacturer Into American operation and sales. The other will be the application of the front wheel drive to popu-

lar use..

Neither of these, to be sure, in new. But they are given a popu-

|

lar slant for the first time in American automotive history. The European car, the Lancia, will be the second to make its American debut so far as actual production here, in addition to its sales, gees, The Rolls-Royce, fine English car, was the fret.

The Lancia will also sell in the high price field, although not so exclusively as the Rolls-Royce. It would be a costly error on the part of any European manufac-

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MOTORING SUPPLEMENT. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1928.

turer to come to this country and try to compete with our mass pre- ducers of average or low priced

NEW FIAT.

cars. So they wisely stay in the Three Standard Body

exclusive fold where demand for the European products is most likely.

Front Drive Will Appeal.

Types.

KNOWN AS "521.”

Perhaps more success will come

The success of the six cylinder to the American Lancia than to tho new type or two of front "620" Flat has created a demend wheel drive car, next year. But for a similar car of greater senting the automotive world will follow capacity. This demand has been with keen interest the introduc- tion of this type of drive for poput by the now model "621" which lar use. It has shown its mettle, ponts event passengers as against at the various auto races and is the five accommodated by the "620" upheld in principle by some of the model. Although already in pro- greatest engineers of the country, duction, this model, which la not What it will do in the hands of intended in any way as a substitute an unmechanical driver, however, of the earlier one, has been shown is another question. It is still ex-at the Paris Salon. perimental and it is too revolu-i tionary to appeal to most of us. We are satisfied to alt at the side lines and watch its performance by others, Engineers, however, predict its success.

Outside of these innovations, the next auto show will reveal the type of improvements that might be expected in engine and body from year to year. Some of these, from a cursory survey of 1929 models already announced, ore!

Higher Power General.

1. General'adoption of high com- pression engines.

2. Thermostatically controlled carburetors to keep volume and temperature of mixture more nearly uniform.

3. More general adoption of fuel pump and vacuum pump.

4. Improved manifolding-for even distribution of fuel.

In general design the new model is similar to the smaller one, but as bents a Boven-seater, the engine is more powerful, being 2 litres capacity instead of 24, and the frame is correspondingly longer and heavier. Besides these funda mental changes, the new par embodies all those later improve- monts suppeated by the experience gained with model "520." In out- ward appearance, too, the newer model has been somewhat improved, the radiator having been made higher, giving a more handsome line to the whole car.

anthe

5. Greater valve ifta for freer and quicker passage of the mix- Lure into and out of the combus- tion chamber. *

G. Improved cooling system due to greater heat from higher com- pression.

7. Eight-cylinder cars of less costly type.

New Type Spark Plugs,

8. Metric spark plug for high. compression and carbon proof plug för elty driving.

The engine is, as in the "620, a six-cylinder side valve unit, but follows more closely the design of the famous acro engines which in the course of the current year have won for Italy most of the world's acroplane records. Various improvements have been effected in Jubrication, the dynamo, ignition, and in the petrol feeding The capacity of the system. autovae tank has been increased as has also that of the main tank. A petrol gauge has been added The with dashboard reading. brakes and the clutch have also come in for attention. Small but Important Improvements have also heen made in the body work, particularly as regards window winders, locks, etc.

Three standard tunes of body. аго furnished on this chassin open Tourer, Waymann Saloon and Town Coupe, all of which com-

D. Increased engine displace-modate seven passengers facing ment and greater engine power. forward, two on folding occasional 10. General adoption of chro-seats. The Tourer has a one-piece mium plating.

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adjustable windscreen with automatic wiper, a double exten- alon hood with rear light and

In addition to these there are the expected improvements on the various parts of the car, occain leather cover. The two spare

ed by experiences of atite owners wheels are lodged, one on either in wells, and all with past models. Thus the fuel side,

and accessories are and oil filters, the air cleaner, the tools

front Beat elutch, the brake and other im- stowed under the

the bonnet, thus portant features of the car have and under

with the usual tool- undergone a change for the bet- doing away ter. Nothing, however, has been boxes on the running boards, which would otherwise detrael from the done to consider exceptional.

As for the body, the most pro-seat, flowing lines of the body,

The seven-seater Weymann nounced change to be noted next year perhaps will be its increased Saloon has four doors and six width on the same wheel trend,windows, three on either side, be- Two models already announced as sides an ample rear light. A having been widened are the Buick tinted sun visor is fitted above the windscreen. The Town Couple can and Oakland. Ollers are expect comfortably accommodate five pas- ed to follow.

sengers inside and one outside be- side the driver. The glass of the reur light is adjustable, as also the door windows. The front of the ear is closed by a sliding glass partition made in two halves, whilst communication with the driver is facilitated by the in- stallation of an electric telephone.

"All "521" cars are furnished with polished steel disc wheels, lined in colours to match the body colours. This latest model reflects the greatest credit upon its de- aigners and builders,

Why changed motoring conditions demand the use of quality oil

No. 8

The new dangers of "Light" "Medium" Heavy" Change Change! CLange In the past few years, motorcar design. has changed rapidly.

A

To-day nearly everyone wants a bigh- speed engine. Operating temperatures have increased. Better roads invite

faster average travel. These changes put an added strain on your oil. They call for the use of highest quality oil.

No longer can you use "good enough" cils. No longer can you run the risk of merely asking for “Light "-

'--"Medium" -or "Heavy" oil.

If you want genuine safety in your lubrication, here is the one sure way to get it. Look up the grade of Gargoyle Mobiloil recommended for your car in the Mobiloil Chart.

Then always ask for it by the full name -Mobiloil "E," Mobiloil "A," "Mobiloil "B" Mobiloil "BB," Mobiloil "C,” Mobiloil "CC.”

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B.S.A. TOP GEAR RUN.THE HONG KONG HOTEL GARAGE

On Monday, November 5, Alex, Finlay, mounted on 1929 81⁄2 h.p. "B.S.A." twin port motor cycle and sidecar, with passenger, left Melbourne Post Office at 5.10 R.m.

25 Queen's Road Central

for Sydney to establish a record MORE NEW MOTOR

for this class of machine, He arrived in Sydney at 9.58, complet- ing the journey in 16 hours 48 minutes, which is now a record.

FUELS.

One of the outstanding features Experiments Made

Switzerland.

of Finlay's record is the fact: flipt

his machine was officially sealed in top gear, and the weight of Finlay

· Tel. Central 4759..

from them, so that they could not

HARLEY SUCCESSES,

In the 24 hours reliability con ducted by the Brisbane M.C.C. on

even adapt their carburettors to it. The Military Authorities Intend to reserve this produce for military purposes. They are satisfied that in in times of emergency it would be October 27 and 28, H. Wacker and posalble to eke out the available G. Franklin, both riding. Harley supply of petrol, so that it would Davidson outfits, tied for frat last three or four times its ordin-place with full points. ary length of time,

and his passenger amounted to BENZINE & ALCOHOL. 26st. 8lb. without luggage.

Finlay was met in Bydney by The "Automobil Revue" la Swit Mr. Goodwin, secretary of the

Another Fuel.

But even more satisfactory re- sulla were obtained by another fuel,

A.C.U., and the sealing of his gears terland and the leading newspapers was found to be intact. He stay-are devoting long articles to the which has been produced by the

The winners of the teams prizė were: H. Wacker, G. Franklin and. E. Odlum, all riding Harleys, with 1,140 points out of 1,150, ...

Another good, performance was

cd in Sydney until a quarter to 1 now kinds of fuel for motor-care, Martini Motor Works at St. Blaise, put up by L. Titzgerald, a novice the following morning, when he re- which have just been tested on the Its inventor is Director Steiger, of rider, who gained 499 points out of

"Steiger-Brennstoff,"

turned to Melbourne (with his Juan-pass with very satisfactory the sald works, and it is called 500.

after him,

machine still sealed in top gear), results, and may one day replace Of course, all details regarding its

arriving there at 12 o'clock. This petrol. The Pyrotechnie Depart composition and manufacture are soot in the cylinders. Produced is certainly i wonderful perfor mance for such a small horse-ment of the War Office, after some kept secret. But it is known that wholesale, it could be sold for one powered machine, provine its re- not very auccessful trials with it is alcohol in a solid form, which third of the present petrol price, ilability.

charcoal gas, so-called gasogen, is dissolved into gas by the simple which is about 18. Bd. a gallon, as Process of adding water. The car there is a heavy duty on it for the burettor is of a special contruction. upkeep of the roads. It contains no benzing or benzol at Swiss motorist circles are, taking all, so that it can be Bwiss made great interest in this Steiger throughout, and would make Svit Bivinstoff, which is expected to zerland Independent of any foreign bring about some changes. For oil-fields. Its efficiency aurpasses the present, it will not yet appear that of benzine by 20 per cent. An- on the market. First all the possi other advantage is that it burns up bilities of its manufacture must be completely, leaving not a trace of tried out and patented,

Alex. Finlay proposes to attempt which is enjoying some favour in a 24-hours road record in Victoria the French army, is now employing within the next few weeks, and a mixture of benzine and alcohol. judging from the condition in which he arrived in Sydney, there ---The trial races on the Jaun-pass is no doubt that he should be suc-wore antisfactory, though the ninety cessful in winning through. Alexdrivers who took part in them Fininy used Golden Fleece oll and

were surprised by this now fuel, Shell spirit, and his machine was whose qualities were kept secret shod with Dunlop tyres.