THE MOTOR SHOW.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20411, 4 December 1931, Page 18

THE MOTOR SHOW.

— LOWER PRICES AND COMFORT. NEW COACHWORK FEATURES. (rttoiz OUR OWK COijtESPOXDE.NT.) LONDON, October 30. "When the annual Motor Show at Oly.mpia comes round the public and the Press generally find some new development in motor construction which marks that particular year. At the show at present in progress there are 110 radical changes to report. Economy being the watchword of the times, it is not surprising that makers have de ; voted most attention to improving the details of present models, especially in the direction of increased body space, better fittings, and a larger use of special alloys, combining reduction of weight with greater symmetry and finish. There is less colour, fewer "art" combinations, but there is a great deal of glitter. Fortunately, all this shining metal is chromium or stainless steel, so there is no extra polishing involved in cleaning it. One peculiar feature of the exhibition —peculiar because there has been no improvement in English summers —is the slight revival of the open car. Open tourers had almost vanished from Olympia, except on the purely sportftig chassis, but this year many firms are not only building them as standard, but showing them. Drophead coupes and convertible bodies arc twice as numerous. 'Die two biggest cars in the show, curiously enough, are both of the convertible type. On both the car stands proper and tho coach-builders' stands neat drophead coupes and close-coupled saloons that can bo opened with little fuss or loss of tir.e are common. There are few jnechanical novelties or developments. Silent thirds or "twin tops" bavo suddenly become as universal (almost) as four-wheel brakes. 15ut there is only one new rear-engincd car, one new specimen of independent wheel springing, and one multiplo gear-bos. A spectacular feature of the show is tho grouping of the three fastest mafhines of the world —representative of the world's speed records by air, water and land. Miss England 13., with her mass of machinery in the stern, is :t formidable instrument. The "Blue Bird," with graceful architecture, Is suggestive of speed, though none of its wonderful power plant is visible. The winner of tho Schneider Trophy, small and bullety, is hung at an angle from the roof, and is certainly suggestive of its qualities. Of the luxury cars —which make one wonder who in these days may buy thejn—there is the Hispano-Suysa, a 54 h.p. double-six, 12-cylinder, priced complete at £">3(V). There is the 38 h.p. 6-cylinder MeTcedes-Benz. at £23;)0. There is the 45 h.p. 8-cylinder Isotha Fraschini, costing £2900. There is the 40/50 6-cvlinder Rolls-Royce, costing £2825.

The £B9 Car. At the bottom of the list of prices is the car that can bo bought for £B9. Its engine is nt the back and there 13 thus ample room for four seats. There are twin cylinders developing 6.97 horsepower, 3 speeds and reverse gearbox. The car has four-wheel brakes independent springing on four wheels, hood, and disc wheels. It carried a four gallon petrol tank at the rear. This remarkable car is said to be capable of covering 55 miles to the gallon of petrol, while its speed is said to be over fifty miles per hour. Graceful- design in the coachbuildinp is a feature of the show. There is a tendency to seek the streamline effect. The front of the roof is flush with the screen, on the roof and back is one continuous panel "nclosing the luggage boot. The close-up type of wing is to be seen, not only on the open sporting car, but also on the more sedate landaulette. Tho streamlined effect is enhanced by low mounting and by accentuating the horizontal lines. For this reason the wide door with its elongated window opening remains in favour and the lengthening of the bonnet is by no means confined to the car of moderate horse-power. A remarkable degree of travelling and driving comfort is afforded with the majority of cars. The wide .folding centre arm-rest • is almost a commonplace, cushions and seat backs are more scientifically shaped and constructed, headroom has been increased an inch or two without any apparent addition to the over-all height, while a reasonable amount of leg room is provided on the smallest car for-all passengers. There is an increase in the number of cars with adjustable rear seats, and footrests are more frequently to be found. Useful Cars at £l5O. The choice of machines for which prices range up to £3OO is extraordinary. About £l5O will buy a sensiblysized closed car, as often as not with six windows, here and there with a sliding roof, which will carry a full load everywhere within reason, at an average speod of nearer 30 than 20 ni.p.h. Between £2OO and £3OO one has an almost bewildering choice of cars, ranging in li.p. from 12 to 20, most of them six-cylindered, most of them capable of something like a mile a minute, and all the far more solid advantages implied by that achievement. In this category pressed steel coachwork, unsplintering glass, sliding roofs, proper sized tyres, and a formidable array of instruments, are taken as a matter of course. The High. Price Cars. In the higher pTices up to the limit of £3OOO and over, tliore is less to be noted in the way of outstanding changes in cither design of price, but as in the cheaper categories, a steady all-round improvement has been effected, the chief results of which should be observable in passenger comfort. Here, again, in nearly every instance the body work is roomier, makers —or. more likely their masters, tho public—having at last realised that within reasonable limits, body sine does not affect-per-formance 100 seriously, especially with tho highly-offlciont modern engine. The uncomfortable "Sports" :body, either of the open <* Nutshell" type, or tho ultra-low closed sort, is practically a thing of the past. Once more the G-cylinder engine lias made a\ further advance into the small and cheap classes, gradually ousting the four from what, might logically be regarded as the latter's lawful position. There are considerably fewer per-manently-closed cars in the show this vear than there have been for some years past. Another less important but pleasing development is to be fouiid in the new colour schemes. There is nothing flamboyant either in the car or the coach-building s> ction, but bright colours have been skilfully used t6 produce the happiost effects. Crimson and blue, the yividest greens, and especially that most successful combination of black and white, have been applied with marked-success. . Trailer Caravans. Several makes of streamlined caravans are shown. In these the general appearance is considerably improved, and

stronger and lighter construction has been attained. Models range from £95 with full equipment. In onie caravan equipped for four people and costing £165 there are two compartments and everything required, from a water can to a cork-screw, cutlery, and so on, is provided. Plywood panelling is employed, covered in stout canvas. It can be towetl- by a 12 h.p. car. The aim of one firm has been to ]iruv'ide a really comfortable .small tworoomed house that"can be folded into the smallest possible space for .transport. Thus, in its closed form, it measures 9ft by 6ft by 7ft 3in, yet when opened it extends to 12ft by 9ft, with walls 6ft high rising to 7ft in the centre. The total floor area is 108 square feet. Good equipment .. is . provided; including,. -incidentally, carpets for, the Mooring of the twt> rooms. Pour beds are supplied, measuring 6ft by 2ft 3in each. Only a few' minutes are taken to extend or close this bungalovv trailer. The price is £l5O.