1932-08-27 — Page 9

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. MOTORING SUPPLEMENT.

THE STREET OF 1,000 WHEELS.

The Romance of the Used Car Trade.

SALESMAN ASSISTS ELOPING PAIR.

What a pity that our Western civilisation does not borrow or copy the picturesque customs of the East!

"Great Portland Street." Sach le the name by which England's greatest motor market is known It commemorates a noble family, but it tells nothing of the romance of the street. Not a hint of the stories that lie behind the facades of the showrooms that line

pavements.

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In the East it would be named differently. "The Street of a Thousand Wheels" might he its more suggestive title,

It was in the last century that the frat hint of the trade that would be coming to it was given.

panied by a pretty girl, walked in- to one of the second-hand depart- ments of a firm.

"I want a fast, reliable car," he told the salesman without wasting his words.

Quickly he made his choice and paid cash for the already licensed vehicle. It was alled up with pe- trol and oil, and the young couple tonned a suitcase into the back, climbed in and strealfed apray.

It

The sale was a queer one. left the seller wondering. Hla sus- picions were fulfilled within haif an hour. The young couple were cloping, but their plans had lenked out.

The girl's father came down the street. "Have you seen a young girl and a man who wanted to buy that car?" he was asking all and sun-

An author who was destined to be well known during his life was born in hunsom cab In thoroughfare: If things like that, dry. could occur in such vehicles it was The salesman admitted having obvious that their doom was fore-seen them and selling them a car. shadowed, and it was Great Port- Whereupon, to the man's great land Street that helped to oust surprise and pleasure, the father them. Poetic justice was satisfied. demanded another car with which He was The soft-speaking salesman of to take up the chase. the street can tell you strange tales quickly sold one; but the salesman of events that have happened since The car he sold father was a slow- was young and he was in love. those far-off days.

Trade was slack one quiet after- noon when a young man, become

CHELIN

cr one.

In the back corners of the store- rooms and garages in the street,

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1932.

covered only by layer on layer of good car. He had, of course, come dust, are ofton to be found the over from the Colonies or America, "mystery" cars,

and money was no object. The Some of them are years old, best was what ho needed. their tyros int and bulging out With a prospect of such a good each side of the wheel rims, doors sale the assistant would do every- hanging loosely on their hinges thing to obtain the man's favour, and upholstery that splits at and would readily assent to the

suggestion of a trial run. Once they belonged to somebody. A day would be fixed and the Now they are members of the Laman would arrive, in one caso with gion of Lost Cars.,

three companies, and a long ride

touch.

Left years ago, their owners have in the country would follow. The never claimed them. In many hill on which the prospective buy- cases they were good vehicles, yeter wanted to ace the car perform for some mysterious reason they was always a long way out. have been deserted. Every motor

Very pleased, the man would ar- dealer can tell

of their weird range to come in on the morrow cases; none can explain them.

and conclude the sale. So far as he was concerned the sale was con- No Market for Stolen Cars, cluded; or, rather, had never would be heard of at another begun. A little later his activities dealer's in the Street,

RIDE CONTENTEDLY compared with a list that the pollee

ON MICHELINS

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A. GOEKE & CO. 4th Floor,

China Building.

Depot

FIAT GARAGE

Tel. 22221. Tel. 24821.

MICHELIN

MODEL

FIAT 522

25 YEARS 6 CYLINDER EXPERIENCE

PUTS THE FIAT CAR AHEAD

The present 6-Cyl, FIATS come from an unbroken line of 6-Cyl, models since 1907. The experience gained undoubtedly reflects itself in the present series.

In short, they lead' because they set a standard which others try to reach.

Inclined straight line drive, side valve engine, flex hub clutch, lockheed duo-hydraulic brakes, silent third. girder braced chassis, special purification system for air, oil and petrol, anti- theft protection, completely equipped and low. gasoline consumption-20 M.P.C.

Let us give you a demonstration without obligation,

A..

AGENTS:

GOEKE & CO.

CHINA BUILDING.

Tol. 22221.

It has been suggested that they have been taken by smash-and- grab thieves, yet if that is the case, why does not the original Garden, there is probably not an- With the exception of Hatton owner notify the police, who could other street in London that carries trace the car?" And why should auch a quantity of valuable stock. a Rolls-Royce, of all makes, beIt is estimated that one firm alone left to rot away through disuon carries close on £200,000 worth of In previous daya Great Portland stock, while the total value of the Street was aften troubled by car, cars stocked by all the dealers thieves. Unknowingly, cars

that must

exceed Heveral million had been stolen were often bought pounds. Yet in spite of these by the dealers, who were freed large figures a man can walk to with a double loss when the pulice Great Portland Street with £10 in arrived. This is all changed now, his pocket and ride away in his and a thief would have great down car, fully paid for. ficulty in making a sale. The Summer, alleged or otherwise, number of the car is noted and always sees the Street at

busiest. circulate which

embodies a de- New cars, second-hand cars, scription of all missing ears,

third-hand cars and those of the Pedestrians of a certain class nondescript variety all attract the cause much trouble in the Street. men and women who dream of the It is surprising how the prospect country and long to find that wind- of a free car ride seems to lure ing lane that will lead them from them. There are men who are con- the world of their working hours. tually getting auch rides on the Men have fallen, and will con- pretext that they are thinking oftinue to fall, under this spell. buying a car.

Money saved to buy a vacuum One man, now too well known by cleaner for the wife will be spent the denters to be able to carry his in Great Portland Street on some game off any more, used to imamazing bargain, and another four press by his fashionable dress and wheels will turn their way out of attitude of opulence. He would "The Street of મ -Thousand say that he wanted to buy a really Wheels."

Its

SUSPENDED · ANIMATION!

Driving an auto through the air across a river may sound incredible, but take a look at this motorized suspension, bridge over the Pudding river, near Canby, Ore. Two co- bles, each 120 feet long, furnish the roadbed; tyres are re- placed by rubber bands around the rim to give traction; and a third cable above with a pulley gives the car stability, C. W. West, at the wheel, is kept busy carrying passengers back and forth. He claims 1500 trip on a gallon of gas..

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Agents:

GILMAN & COMPANY, LTD.

4a, Des Voeux Road, Central.

Telephone 28011.

ANNIVERSAR

Garage and Service Station: "DURO" MOTOR CO., LTD. 132, Nathan Road, Kowloon. Telephone 57226.

YOUR

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