MODERN MOTORING.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 250, 21 October 1924, Page 13

MODERN MOTORING.

DARING MOTOR TRIP. j Two intrepid motorists recently essayed the dangerous stunt of driving a motor car along the railway line through the Duller Gorge. Readers who are acquainted with the railway route through the gorge will appreciate the hazardous nature of this journey, and the joyriders were fortunate in not haiing been apprehended by the railway officials. The (Joodyear tyres fitted to the ear showed no trace of the severe pounding which they received going over the sleepers and cattle stops on this exciting trip. USED CAR FAULTS. To the average man the term "used car" signifies unreliability, but • there is no telling how much condemnation there has been because of only a few email defects. Almost any man is likely to become disgusted with a motor car which breaks down or baulks a half dozen times in a few shorty weeks. Probably the majority of cars cursed with a "second hand" label have nothing j seriously wrong with them. Few if any ! parts would be required to put them in tip-top shape. A few parts may require adjustment, sonic parts "need cleaning. Small faults have ruined the reputation of many cars, and a little serious attention might have corrected most of them. LINES TO A LADY. "If we do not make way the alternative will be a missile hurled at our window* and wind screens by the gentle but determined feminine motorist. Anything that is hapdy will do, it seems, except a bouquet. A few chunks of Brighton rock Berved on a recent occasion. . . . Th» lady said she was annoyed because th» motorist would not allow her car to passvShe was fined £13 13/. . . ."—•■!_» Motor." The lady on tbe motor ear who hoota Consistently and hard. Is chagrined when she indiscreetly scoots— Finding her way is barred. She does not stop to think or contemplate, But tries to hurry past; She must get by. she cannot hesitate; Her motto, "Safety Last." Some folks step in where angels fear to tread. And so in truth does she; A missile swiftly hurtles at the head Of the obstructing "He." to the sweet," she says, "and this to you— Don't mention, please, the shock. I hurl with vigour and my aim is true— A chunk of Brighton rock!" Tour wind screen shattered, and a window smashed—■ A pretty hefty shot! A fine of thirteen guineas—well, I'm dashed. Jolly good sport—what, what!" NOTES. . P. Coleman, of Palmerston North, and D. C. Managh have signified their intention of competing at the Otahuhu Motor Cycle Club's meeting at Avondalc. Managh will be mounted on his new Indian in the heavyweight events and some speedy going should be witnessed when these two riders meet. We are informed that the course will be in first , class condition by Saturday, November '. Bth. Entries close next Tuesday. Don't ihang your arm out like a p-'ece of wet Eaaxcaroni in signalling for a stop or a turn, is the advice of motor- ._ ists given by the public s.afe.ty department of the California State Auto_io_ile Association, Failure to signal '■ properly, and in compliance with the requirements of the Vehicle Act, is the cause of many minor accidents, and some that are serious. At tie Stratford Magistrate's Court, , following an expression of surprise on the part of Sergeant Reid, when he had I been informed that certificates of com-1 potency to drive motor cars were not | necessary in Stratford, the magistrate i (Mi. A. M. Mowlem, S.M.) said that | it was extraordinary that in certain' towns important questions should be ] overlooked. The position was that in ! . those places any fool could drive a I car, and so constitute a menace, and i no oae lad any power to stop Mm,

It is becoming more and more clear ' .that the removal of the McKenna dutjes -will not seriously affect the -ability of the British motor industry to hold its own, either in the Home or in the overseas markets. The fact of the matter is that, under the protection of the duties, the industry has ■gtovm in strength so rapidly that it is now able to face with some (equanimity a situation which would probably have been fatal had it arisen • 'little earlier. One of the effects of the duty has naturally been a ten-*. dency to bring prices down to the very., lowest possible mark, and ' this policy I is apparently proving successful.

Lee Guinness, one of England's finest ! racing drivers, has again carried off the i, coveted 200 miles light car race which v is annually decided on Brooklands track . (Eng.). He drove a Darracq and negotiated the distance in Ihr 58min 30 1-5 sec., world's record for any type or power of car. It is the first occasion upon which over 100 miles an hour has been maintained in a long distance race. His average speed was 102J m.p.h. His success in this event will be some compensation for his bad luck in the recent French Grand Prix, from which he had to withdraw when holding a leading position.

Recently published statistics have shown that there are at the moment some 15,250,000 motor vehicles on" the road in the United States, and not quite IiTSO.OOO in Europe. The proportion of lorries, tractors, and commercial Vehicles in America is curiously small, however, as compared with Europe. In the United States, industrial vehicles only represent 11 per cent of the huge total, whereas in Europe tho proportion is 28 per cent. In Franco alone the proportion is practically 30 per cent, , as it is in England, the exact figure being 29.8 per cent. :

Many Ford users and drivers may be at a loss to know, when decarbonising is necessary. No hard and fast rule can be made, because the necessity for this operation will depend on the age of the :; engine, and to a certain extent on the amount of oil which is being used. With a new engine, the operation should not ho necessary more frequently than at the end of 5000 miles running. If the oil consumption is heavy, as it may be on a fairly old engine, it would he necessar}' almost after 3000 miles running. It may tie mentioned that running on too rich a mixture will cause carbon to accumulate , very quickly. |

The Tauanaki circular road race for bicycles will he held over the 100-mile course on October 25.

Never make friends .:n a motor bus. Hex are sure to leave you in the lurch.

SPOILED THE DAY.

It was one of those warm afternoons with just enough of a breeze stirring toll make motoring delightful. The old bus I never hummed along better as I stepped on the gas. A tingling sensation of enjoyment crept over mc as I realised I that, with the exception of a solitary | motor-cyclist directly ahead, I had the whole road to-myself. Well, I would soon eliminate that fellow! I gave my car more gas. But the distance between us widened! He evidently accepted my challenge for a race! Nothinjr suited mc better. My speedometer registered 40 miles and Was rapuliy creeping up to 50. Gad, but that j chap must have a dandy motor in his wheel! I was doing GO now. Suddenly the motorist slowed down. He knew when he was beaten! I slowed down too. I'd exchange a few kidding remarks with the fellow! He stopped. With a screeching of brakes I brought my car to a standstill. "Sixty miles an hour, eh?" he rasped. "I guess we'll take your pedigree. Let's see your license." He was the State highway policeman!