Modern Motoring

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 41, 17 February 1920, Page 8

Modern Motoring

(BY TORQUE.)

To-day is the day of standards and standardisation. This useful method of reducing production costs (and allegedly of increasing production, efficiency anil quality) has been applied to motor cars, trucks, boats, and many accessories for the same. Recently the American tyre manufacturers were reported to have decided on certain standard sizes and types of covers nnd tubes, than which no others would be made in U.S.A. Now the European makers have frot together, and selected six sizee which -they propose to standardise, the sections ranging from C."> mm. to 1.15 mm. They have also decided on a regular valve to replace the various models at present employed. Th» idea of setting- up standards for various commodities is good, and properly carried out is of very considerable advantage to the buying public, not to mention the distributors and dealers who have the pleasure of profit (or otherwise if you prefer) of stocking the goods in question. At the same time I wonder why thf manufacturers'don't do come more getting together and evolve a system for keeping jigs and tools standardised. In many ways the present methods of standardisation are not nearly so g-ood as the antiquated, but certain, Drartico of fitting eac'n part separately, because the machines, cutters, etc., become worn, and are not replaced soon enough, with the result that the last part turned out is very far from the same meaetirements as the first one. Have you ever tried 'putting up sets of standardised side curtains on new cars? It's just wonderful how different they are. However, the principle ie right if we want moderate priced g«>ods, and therefore you are all expected to sup port standardisation, but when supporting it please endeavour to have bolta and nuts, spark plug?, and lamp bulbs standardised, too.

To-day is also the day of nurgera, amalgamation, and combines, and these, like the foregoing net-ion, are entered into with a view of assisting mass production, consequent lowering of pricce (if such a thing may be mentioned at this time without apology), and obliging of the great buying public. The mnet modern instance from England is the notation of Allied Roail Transports Ltd., with a capital of £250.000, being an amalgamation of three of the largest carrying firms in the Midlands, and no doubt this is only the first of many similar undertakings, all of wlik'h should assist nw>rchante and producer*, and advance the cause of mobile , transport. Also, in the 'American motor world I see another merger in pro-speet, in that the Morcer Company are taking a hand in Locomobile politics, and this movement will in all probability eventuate in a smaller type of the last named car, as al-o a wider range of truck models. And still they come. SiTely it is almost time we had a real good combine of motor firms in New Zealand, if our litale Dominion is to be in the fashionable class. 1 wonder.

The greatest event in our local motoring circle during tl<" past week was without doubt the re.-ord smashing run accomplished by Mr. TP. S. Miller from Auckland to Wellington in lfi hours 8 minute?. The performance was a remarkable tr'.butc to hi* oar. but more '.han that it was a testimony to the hardihood an,] grit of the man himself. I extend the plail hand to W.S.M.; wish him all the luck he deserves for his pluckinofs, and commend him to vow nil a's a eplendU specimen of motoring manhood. That iron and -tcel rouM stand the awful pounding of filch a trip at such a speed is wonderful; hut ibat bone and mti.>r!o, and mrrc particularly brain, could stand the inrovant ptra:n of our infornal road? for -Jioiir aftor hour is more wonderful. *Tt will,* I'feel sure,; be a long time before the record is lowered, probably not before we have : our lonp-wailed for an.l muth-to-be-desired "oad*. In this little word of appreciation I think space should be found for praise of the rubber which made MiccefJ possible, and believe that the advertisement which the tyre* have earned i s very much dreervej. To the man, the machine, and the tyres, I extend congratulations.

The A.C.r. of En»lanil has decided to revive its tourist tronhy race for motor cycles in the Isle of Man this year dur-in-r May, and there \s every possibility that the Royal Automobile Club will follow enit in regard to the famous car event, which was, of course. discontinued in H)l4. It is interesting to note that the town clerk' of Dougln*. 1.0.M., has written to both hedics extending on behalf of the local council "a hearty invitation to organise the races on the inland again.' - What a wealth of memories mention of the Isle of Man course calls forth in the mind of anyone who was ever there in the racing days: memories of splendid drivers, men who knew no fear: or tireless mechanics who worked all nipht, all day and nil night asain. to get the Vloved car into firstcliis* trim; or race managers, botherei! all day by anxious entrants and spending most of the nijjht completing arrangements, who wore always courteous and. jolly good chaps to boot: of a thousand exciting incidents on the eventful day. counties sportsmanlike actions, and many splendid forlorn hopes. What day.s. they were, and how good it will bs to hove them over again. Who'e for a trip to the old course, up Snaefel!, through Ramsey, over the right-angle bridge, and all the glorious rest of it? I, for one, if I could get. IT IS RtTftIOtTRED THAT—

The Main Trunk express will have to ".shake a lnff" if it. is to hold pride of place for the Auckland to Wellington trip.

Auckland to Eltham in nine hours was the most wonderful achievement of an altogether wonderful trip.

Speaking of standardisation, we might consider standardising the sovereign at 20/ or somewhere thereabouts. There is also room for a standard amount of work to be done for a standard waje. If super-service is the aim and object of amalgamations, we might even smile on a combine in New Zealand.

Talk of T. T. races gives "ToTque" to flights of remembrance that are probably of no interest to readers. The English manufacturers have some candid critics.

And that the criticisms are not without justification.

With benzine at its present price, benzole could easily be the better 'ole. As far as driving position is concerned other countrirti may be oa the right -eide, but we prefer to he left, as we-are.

j In epite of assurances to the contrary, quote a lot of people think the benzine situation is "not a= good aa it used to be. -,