VOGUE OF THE MOTOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 184, 6 August 1925, Page 2 (Supplement)

VOGUE OF THE MOTOR.

WORLD'S BEST CARS AT OLYMPIA.

IMPROVEMENTS OF 1925 AT A GLANCE.

MILE OF STANDS AT PRINCE'S WHARF

Eighteen months ago the Auckland Motor Trade Association achieved a long cherished wish, namely, to demonstrate in the form of an exhibition a display of its goods. For several years such an aim had been frustrated by the inability to obtain a suitable building. With the completion of the Prince's wharf this last difficulty was overcome, and, through the courtesy of the Auckland Harbour Board, one of the spacious sheds on the wharf was placed at the disposal of the Association, and the exposition followed. The Auckland public had long been intrigued by the stream of automobiles which was flowing into the port, and had eagerly scanned on the thoroughfares the various makes and models of cars coming from English, American, and Continental manufacturers to further the social and industrial life of the city. On Saturday next, August 8, the second Motor Olympia will be opened, and, for various reasons, it promises to be a much greater success than the previous one. In the first place, it has been designed on a much more ambitious scale, though last year's effort was no mean one. It was, however, more or less feeling the public pulse, and the fact that the exhibition of February and March, 1924, found keen enthusiasm spurred the Association to greater efforts. But apart from that aspect, the growth of the motor industry in the city and the combined support of those in it, made it imperative that this year's exhibition should be more comprehensive and spacious. Accordingly, two sheds have been secured, and a floor space of 1\ acres, or 1 02,000 square feet, has been made available for the exhibits. This is double the floor space utilised last year, and it is no exaggeration to say that Auckland's second Motor Olympia is the finest thing of its kind that has ever been attempted in New Zealand. There will be a mile of stand frontage, each yard of which will offer an attraction to the visitor. The growth of the motor industry in New Zealand is traced in another article, but it may be relevant here to emphasise the great increase in importation during the past few years. In 1924 there was an increase of 5000 vehicles over the total of 1 3,950 in the previous year, but these figures, judged by the importations during the first six months of this year, will be far eclipsed at the end of December. At the end of June nearly 1 2,000 motor vehicles had reached New Zealand shores, an increase of 33 per cent. They represented a great range of manufacturers, and were material proof of the evolution of the industry in regard to type of engine and chassis, coachwork and equipment. Is it any -wonder then that further space should be necessary to allow the local distributors to display their vehicles? As a matter of fact, so great a demand was made that the executive was forced to limit the exhibition solely to its own members in Auckland. It will not suffer on that account, for there are more registered motor cars in the Auckland Province than in any other in the Dominion, and every make of vehicle imported has its representative agent locally. A REAL OBJECT LESSON. A comparison of the exhibits and their exhibitors emphasises the greater scope of the second Olympia. In 1924 30 exhibitors showed between them 109 motor cars and 25 trucks, 'while on Saturday next there will be arrayed no less than 200 vehicles of all kinds, comprising 1 62 motor cars, 3 1 trucks, and 6 cycles. Space for the display of anything other than cars and trucks was not available previously, but now it has been found possible to allow stands for the oil and tyre companies, who supply the vital adjuncts to the car, and the accessory dealers, who supply the innumerable fittings and comforts -which make a motor such a luxurious affair. English manufacturers are now finding a much greater field for their product in the Dominions than ever hitherto, and there will be a much finer representation of vehicles made in the United Kingdom at this show than at the previous one. The Olympia -will not only be an exposition of the -wonderful progress made in automotive engineering, design, and finish, and an object lesson for both mechanic and layman, but it will be in addition a spectacle to charm the artistic eye. The whole display is planned on a system o£ uniformity and a standard scheme of decoration is laid down. Though this prevents any individual enterprise in showing off the goods, it ensures that the displayers* imagination will not run riot, and bizarre and eccentric advertising stunts will be eliminated. The graceful uniformity of the stands, their lighting and colouring, and size of the car names arranged in regular avenues, give no one exhibitor an advantage over his rival, and the regular lines of the display will be one of undoubted charm. CHANGES IN CONSTRUCTION. While the general public is fairly familiar with the lines and appearance of most makes of cars it is certain that one of the most striking features of the Show will be the sweeping changes made in design, and the detail improvements effected during the past eighteen months. A layman would be excused for saying that he could not see much difference between a car he observed last year and the same make this year, but some of the alterations are so obvious that the parent will be able to discuss it with his small son, who, peculiarly enough, is generally more enlightened on these matters than the adult. The outstanding change in external construction since the last Olympia are the improvements in the braking system and tyre equipment. The fatar wheel brakes, that is, brakes operating on both front anjfl back wheels, instead of only on the latter as in former years, are now fairly generally an equipment of the new car. The-low pressure, or the balloon, tyre 1S almost universally adopted, and the majority of the exhibits will be so shod. Hoods and side screens have undergone some change recently, and the facility with which the wind and rain can be excluded is sure to catch the eye. Incidentally, the closed-in type of car, which is gaining steadily in favour, may be more featured than previously. Many innovations have been made m chassis and coachwork design, while the innumerable knick-knacks and accessories which are becoming more and more part of the car are sure to be eagerly scanned. a^° Und i eSS L Ci u t0 GXplore in the walk round the mile of stands and, whether it be from the point of view ot a thing of beauty or mechanical perfection, or both compublic" 0 ymPia Pr ° miSeS t0 be a P ° Werful ma S*et