1930-10-18 — Page 14

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. MOTORING SUPPLEMENT. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1930.

WE LEAD

AND OTHERS FOLLOW.

The New

AIR-FLIGHT

PRINCIPLE TYRES by

FISK

MEAN MORE

mileage

Obtainable at all Garages upon request.

Solé Distributors:

GILMAN & CO., LTD.

4A, Des Voeux Rd, C.

T. 28011.

have an

ONE CAR FOR EIGHT. THIEVES GET MANY.

Canada ranks third among the Automobile thieves easier time in France than they countries of the world in number do in the United States. Approxi- of automobiles in proportion to mately 3000 ears were stolen there population. There is an average last year, and only 1439, recovered of one ear to each eight persons

in the dominion. by police:

MOTOR NOTES FROM GREAT BRITAIN.

[Special Report to the Hongkong Telegraph by "R. A. C."Í

Motor Touring on, the Increase. Imodels.

than the average screen pillars on a touring car. In order to give the necessary strength and safety to the body, they are made of special aluminium alloy.

Some very beautiful bodies have lately been completed by Hooper and Co., who have been respon- Central gear change, sible for so much Royal coach- Sir Harry Lauder, the Stilt work.

famous Scotch comedian, for A number of interesting facts too, has been, introduced.

better suspension Is provided,

20/25 h.p. Rolls- are brought to light as a result

of double instance, has of figures prepared by the British thanks to the use

body in elephant grey. Lord Automobile Association on this acting hydraulic shock absorbers, Royce with enclosed limousine Glanely's new limousine is finish- summer'a touring. Their analysis both front and rear.

Four Speeds Gaining Ground. ed in black, but an extremely indicates that motor touring has:

40/50 h.p. Increased by about 15% over 1929,

The Singer Co. are retaining smart 2/4 seater on while the influx of foreign the three types listed this year, Rolls for Sir Julien Cahn is in visitors to Britain increased by an besides adding a fourth model to light blue with dark blue wings even higher percentage..

the range. This, a new "Ten," which show off the sporting lines particularly striking to note that from its specification appears to of the body admirably. despite the Wall Street slump be the cheapest car in its elass on American visitors have been more the market. It is worth record- numerous than ever.

ing that it was a 10 h.p. car with which this company made history nearly 20 years ago, when pioneer- ing the first small 4-cylinder car.

It is

Actually, during August the A.A. received some 26 letters for each working minute and posted approximately 1,872,000 miles of prepared itineraries every day. Such figures afford some slight indication of the popularity of mator touring to-day.

of

Where Comfort is Studied. A feature of many of the new season's models so far announced is the fitting of hydraulic shock absorbers which results in greatly improved suspension. One of the good shock Prominent among new features essentials on the existing models is the absorber is that it must act pro- standardisation of a 4-speed gressively that is, in relation to

every type. gearbox on

The the continually changing force of sturdy Junior thus becomes unique the rebound of the car springs and among small cars in this respect this can be done by no other Every week of this pre-Olympia aa, also, for the placing of the means than hydraulic flow. period, brings forth new season's chassis. On the "Six," a 4 ft. 8 in. track is optional-a matter of Programmes from the big man-interest to Overseas users. facturing centres in the Midlands,

A further mark of Royal favour and, to the enthusiast, it is an intensely interesting time in tho was recently bestowed on this

make when

Princess motoring calendar.

Arthur of Connaught took delivery of her second Singer, this time a Super Six saloon with sliding roof.

What of 19317

Coventry can now boast the cheapest Straight-eight of any nationality on the British market. thanks to the price reductions made in the Hillman model, for the coachbuilt saloon now costs

I.R.H.

of

A

GOOD TRIAL COURSE.

Ligonior

150 Alles to Pittsburgh

Laughlintown

Jennerstown

One of the curves that test the driver's ability and. his car's performance up Ligonier Mountain in Pennsylvania. Inset map shows part of the Lincoln Highway which, crosses this district.

+

1.

The recoil of the road springs shock absorbers are employed, the compression being unaffected, the road Consequently, when wheels hit a bump, the blow, will be absorbed in the springs with- harshness. provided. out course, they are supple and well Automobile manufacturers have order that they will not be recog The energy thus spent millions of dollars con- nized. Thus, if something. start- lubricated. stored, however, will be thrown structing proving grounds to test ling is being tried out secretly on

a new model, the make of the car. Simplicity and Safety.

nut in the recoil and In the Luvax their products.

There's a rival to these costly cannot be recognized.. The demand for more perfect it is this rebound which is smooth-

Sometimes cara are brought car control is increasing as aly controlled instead of it proving testing yards in one which Nature but £355. In addition to the well result of the congested state of a source of discomfort to the erected here millions of years ago here just to test out a new radia- and which car makers are now tor, springs, carburetor or an im- proved 14 h.p., a new Straight the roads and it is felt that as far passengers. eight, known the "Vortic," is

The spread of Finger-tip control using Ligonier Mountain in the proved oil filter. And the old

heart of the Alleghenies.

mountain sure can give them a being added to the range. Its as possible, a driver ought to be able to control his car without hia

Along the route of the highway good testing." engine is fitted with a patented hand leaving the steering wheel to even the cheapest models is

another satisfactory sign of the which leads up from its base, the Clocking the actual distance up "Turbo" combustion head, which

going times, for it proves conclusively adds greatly to the efficiency.or his eyes the road.

of 1200 feet above sea level to from Ligonier to Jennerstown. Another interesting feature is the' In the self-changing 4-speed that manufacturers appreciate the mountain rises from an elevation the side of the mountain gearbox, for although the rating gear now standardised on several value of this great aid to comfort nearly 2700 feet in about four over the Lincoln Highway from miles. An automobile climbing Greensburg to Chambersburg, the is but 19.7 h.p., the car has aArmstrong Siddeley models.. the and safety in driving.

The most strenuous tests are this ascent meets with strenuous speedometer catches it at 4.6 miles maximum in top of 70 m.p.h. and gear is preselected by moving a

conditions. For this from where the mountain starta a dial over 50 m.p.h. in "Silent third" mall lever mounted in

employed to ensure that the cen- driving

at least six prominent just outside of Laughlintown. or "Traffic Top."

above the steering wheel and is tralised operation of the electrical reason

It's a tough pull up this moun- tain and to a driver from level During the past 12 months, the brought into action by depressing equipment is as nearly perfect as manufacturers use it as a testing

possible. At the Lucas works, ground for new models.

A J. McColly, who was born lands not used to hill climbing, the Humber works have been re-and releasing the clutch pedal.

The other day, as a demonstration, for example, the switch unit is

the experience is startling, for. often organised to permit of "flow prono less than 14 changes were made moved continuously through its here and who has been in

re- a radiator will boll-over from the methods and the duction"

range of positions, making 40 dis- garage business since 1916, economies effected have permitted in 10 seconds.

The prevalence of "blind spots" tinct operations per minute and members seeing the first car ever hard work the motor does 'in pull- further price reductions in these! well known cars. For 1931 the is probably the most serious fault this goes on day after day, giving to use "Laurel Hill," as it is popu-ing the hill. What few gasoline closed car. the equivalent of several years' larly called, as a proving ground. stations there are, set back off the road in the side of the mountain. 16/50 h.p., The Snipe and Pullman of the

do a rushing business, in filling are to be retained but with various Indeed, many coachbuilders do not actual service in a few days.

seem to appreciate how easily important improvements.

safety can be jeopardised by Engine power, for instance, has having thick front pillars and been considerably increased by framing round the windows.

On the latest Thrupp and employing a high velocity down- traught carburettor and thermos tatically-operated radiator shut- Maberly bodies, however, the ters are now standardised on all front pillars are hardly larger

average

"Just look how easily and surely that new Buick dodges in and out of traffic!"

"Yes, Sir, it's no wonder that owners of all

cars

from the lowest to the highest priced envy the driver of the new Buick."

Notwithstanding the tremendous flow of smooth power and speed the new Buick valve-in-head eight in a line motor places at your command-the new harmonized steering gear and balanced chassis give the owner perfect control under every driving and parking condition.

This outstanding quality is but one of dozens of qualities which have made Buick so popular throughout the world for the past twenty-five years—a con- fidence enjoyed by but few cars except Buick.

THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.

TELEPHONE 30228.

33, WONG NEI CHUNG ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.

The New

BUICK 8

The Eights with Buicks Prestige

.

:

First Used in 1917 Overseas Activities.

"That was back in 1917," Me- radiators: With the object of demonstrat- Colly reminisces, "and the car was

Plenty of Curves. ing and selling British goods, an an old Mercer: Soon others were

Going up there are a couple of expedition is being organised and pitting their abilities of their new will be led by Captain Geoffrey models against the steep sides of "S" curves, one that is nearly

bends which make driving every- Malins, OB.E. FR.G.S., which the mountsin. The old Lexier right angle, and several lesser will leave England at the end of was another of the early users. the year, travel across Europe to "From time to time other cars thing but a pleasure, especially to Stamboul, through Asia Minor and would run into town, unknown be- those drivers who labour up in sec- Palestine to Egypt and thence cause the identification marks fond gear.

a

through the heart of Africa to the would be removed. I can remem- At an alititude of 2684 feet there Cape. The journey of about ber some of them. They were is a sign telling that the summit 12,000 miles will be made with a Willys-Overland, some of General of Laurel Hill" has been reached. a few Then begins the descent to the convoy of British ears and a moter Motors' products, and cycle unit. For himself Capt. others."

lother side... This distance mea- Malins has chosen, after exhaus- It's been only since 1924 that the sures 3.4 miles. Live tests. # Riley 6-cylinder mountain began to "do business" chassis.

The motorist whose car has heat- on 1 rushing scale, McColly fed up on the climb behind, unless. he uses second gear, may have Rileys are making history in reveals.

Then Chrysler began testing its troubles with burning brakes going many parts, of the world, a parti- cularly atriking

performance products on the hill. Also, accord-down this side. The descent is being that of Mr. Pemberton- ing to McColly, White began to steep and there are quite a few Billing. Driving a

Brooklands send down a few truck chassis to curves on which the brakes have model "Nine," he crossed America see how they would climb, the to be applied forcibly.

"In making tests on the moun- New York to Los Angeles-grades and curves of Ligonier..

Most of these cars are housed in tain," McColly says, "every condi- 4.200 miles, at an average speed ef 41 m.p.h.. covering the last lan McColly's garage while they are in tion is true to ordinary operating town for the tests, so he gets first- conditions. The mountain is not hand information on some of the barred to traffic during tests.

of 130 miles in 120 minutes.

In South America British pro-models. ducts have scored another success in the face of severe competition.

"Phantom" Cars.

"If the car to be tested gets in behind a line of cars being held up by a slow driver in front, it has to

At Montevideo recently 11 makes "In many instances however, we take its chances with the rest of of lorry were tried out on hill don't know a thing about the care them in getting around curves and climbing tests under the observa- running up the hill," he says. making the hill in high gear. This tion of the State Electric PowerThese 'phantom' cars are stripped way a true test is made, of the Stations" Engineers. Corps. A sometimes down to the chassis in car's pulling power." Leyland was classified first in a time of 3 mins. 10 secs. and with an increase of temperature of 9 degrees.

For general haulage work in the Persian. oilfields a fleet of 39 Morris-Commercial trucks

DEFEAT TAX BOOST.

THIEF-PROOF HORN.

An automobile horn has been

Citizens of North Dakota have invented in Copenhagen which with defeated a proposal to increase the gives off a prolonged scream when all-metal bodies to carry 30-cwt. gasoline tax in that state from 8 anyone tries to steal it. have been ordered by the Anglo- to 4 cents a gallon. Persian Oil Co. This ไล

incidentally, a repeat order, while

ih addition a similar number of tice; for example, the owners of a "R" type trucks as well as G-vehicle, which after two years' wheeled

and service has now done 44,550 miles, tank vehicles "Viceroy" buses are destined for state that the tyres are still in the same place.

good condition and fit for further work.

Not long ago the Dutch East

Fruits of Rationalisation. Indies Army Authority placed an order for a large number of "Go

The extent to which British Anywhere" Morris-Commercial C- wheelers, to be fitted with engine-industry is being rationalised is driven winch gear, twin tyres and not always appreciated nor that non-skid tracks. The 30 cwt. the process not only applies to the truck is selling well, too; in these producers of popular private cars but also to the makers of commer- parts.

cial..vehicles.

Big Mileage Figures.

Comprehensive re-organisation In Ceylon a number of Albion is now, for instance in progress lorries in the service of the at the Commer works at Luton, Government Railways have put up where the whole factory has been some remarkable mileage records, entirely re-planned to permit of One vehicle, put into service in more rapid and economical pro- 1910 now has over 200,000 miles to luction. The re-organised works. its credit. Two others, after 12 will be capable of doubling the years on the roads, were converted present output and, whereas they to rall cars in 1925 and now have have hitherto undertaken anly a total of over 520,000 miles be- more or less specialised body con- struction, they are now to have a tween them.- ·

fully equipped body-building shop On the subject of big mileages, for the production of standard van the manufacturers of Garrett and lorry bodies, 6-wheeled steamers, claim excep- The work of re-organisation was tional mileages for the rear tyres,

on their vehicles, due to the only begun in July but it is now nearly completed and production special construction of the rear throughout the period has been axle arrangement This is cer- tainly borne out in actual prac

normal.

JOIN

THE HONGKONG AUTOMOBILE

ASSOCIATION

A Few Advantages--- 10% Off Motor Car Insurance Free Legal Advice,

·Beliable Drivers Supplied Free Mechanical Advice Reduced harbour transport Charges Associate Membership of the B. A. O and A. A. London.

Rev. G. E. 8. Upsdell Hon, Secretary;

C/o "Hongkong Telograph"","