WHY NOT A CAR THIS XMAS

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20731, 16 December 1932, Page 33

WHY NOT A CAR THIS XMAS

THE OPEJ* ROAD.

j thut remarkable progress has been made in the transmission systems of ears, in engine suspension and eoacliwork. The latest method of suspending engines in rubber supports or in springs eliminates vibration to such, an extent that it is difficult to tell the running of a fourcylinder from a six-eylinder unit. Fourcylinder cars are proving popular again owing to the demand for economical running and partly because of the great progress made in design. The lines and general appearance of eoacliwork, both standard and special, have been enormously improved. There is greater room, better streamlining at the roar, more built-in accommodation for luggage, and adequate protection of bodywork from mud and wet. Of the- recent Olympia held in London Mr Ledyard Mitchell, chairman of the Chrysler Export Corporation, stated:

! "It is two years siuco I attended a London motor show, and I must say that in those two British manufacturers have made wonderful advances. Both the car designs and the values offered are really impressive." Used Cars at Low Prices. As new cars are put on the road it naturally follows that there is a corresponding increase in the number of used cars placed on the market. So reliable ary some of these vehicles it' obtained from a reliable firm of dealers that many motorists have never possessed a new one. Such cars are always iu demand because they may be obtained at a figure -very much lower than tho original cost, and with careful handling they will provide years of pleasure, particularly if they are used only on week-ends and holidays. At the present time there are hundreds of good, reliable used ears available at reasonable

HOLIDAY WITH TENT AND CAR. FI&KUBgS OF MOTORING. Th» i'l*al Christmas present, is a siG<ter-t», &* it Ppeus up possibilities of WJOJIMSt tfc&t cannot be equalled. To Ik an with 6 Usaily a ear provides ft cfeeay ss4 rapid ffleaJJs of transport, m&ftle wfc«WW tie wants to use it far ttsß* t» would othersi* %st|.» «!e«||j|# to hint. Kw£j|tajjpf tuch a variety cf to purchasers as kfrlMmffi*- latest reports state

prices; in fact, it is safe to buy Hint novor within recent years have so" many useful vehicles boon offered at reasonable prices. A prospective buyer should remember that most used ears come on the market not because they have outlived their usefulness but because the previous owner desired a change in vehicles, it should be remembered also that the year of manufacture is not the most important point lo consider. Some, drivers, for instance, might drive a car four or five times the distance as the driver of another similar ear manufactured at; the same time. In this first instance tin! car was probably manufactured with a potential mileage of perhaps 100,0u0 miles. Such being tho case, the unused mileage is of moro importance in the purchase of a used car than the year of its manufacture!. Holiday With a Tom. 'Those who are contemplating a motor v holiday with a tent will find the whole*

of the countryside open to then;, and it is not unlikely that there will be a greater number of cars on the road this Christmas and New Year period containing campers and equipment than ever before. Certainly a large number of people who have not previously enjoyed such a holiday havu announced their inteutiiM of doing so. Nor will they be disappointed, provided, of course, the weather is favourable. A list of camping places prepared by the South island Motor Union shows that the number is constantly being added to. In Canterbury itself sites are provided at such places as Goose Bay, Gore Bay, Port Robinson, and Manuka Bay, Moiunau, Amberlev Beach, Leithfield Beach, Waikuku Beach, Woodend Beach, Kairakj aud lines Beach, Ashley Gorge, Brooklauds, Ilamner, Bealey, Hill Top. Akarou, Ashburton, Peel Forest, Geraldiue, Waihi Gorge, Temuka, Timaru, Claremont Bush. Pleasant Point, Tekapo, Fairlio, and Wairniite. For those wishing to

visit Christehuveh there arc the welloquippod quarters at the Show Ground, Addington, which arc said to be the best of the kind in the Dominion. Nelson and Elsewhere. -Nelson boasts some of the iiuest camping sites to be found unywhere, some of them being the Reservoir Reserve (three miles from the city;, Ruby Hay. Talaika, Aniseed Valley, and Glenhopo. Iu the Marlborough Province motorists may make themselves at home in the camping areas of Pelorus Bridge, Havelock, Blenheim, or Picton. The West Coast sets itself out to attract visitors, who will be able to iind camping facilities provided for them at Greymouth, Roefton, Punakaiki-Poro-rari, Westport, Hokitika, Ross, Fox River, Woodpeckers' Bay, and along tho main south road to the Glaciers. A very interesting holiday may be spent iu Otngo, which provides a. wide raugo of camping sites, situated at Oamaru, Kurow, Pembroke, Palmerston, Waikouaiti, Dunedin, Lawrence, Rox-

THE IDEAL FAMILY GIFT j|

burgh, Queenstown, Nnseby, Tapanui, Alexandra, Clyde, and Cromwell. The list of places at which motorists may be accommodated in Southland includes Gore, lavereargill, Kiverton, Bluff, Tuatapere, Otautau, Wyndham, Lake Manapouri, and Egliugton Valley (near Lake Gunn). At the places mentioned it will generally be found that water is laid on or is to be obtained close by, while fireplaces and other facilities are provided. Driving in the country is not the risky experience to-day that it was so;ne years ago. Cars are, of course, far more reliable now than ever before, so that it is very seldom that one gets hold up on the road for any considerable time. At holiday periods a good patrol service is also at the disposal of motorists, whereby small defects may be attended to by efficient officers or petrol may be bought if the supply should run short some distance from a bowser. It is the custom of the Canterbury Automobile Association,

too, to send patrol officers to large gatherings, such as- agricultural and pastoral shows and race meetings, with a view to assisting motorists whose tyres might be punctured or whose cars might need other small attention*. Road Surfaces. The roads to-day are so good that it i 3 possible to go for long distances over concrete or sealed surfaces, whieh make driving a pleasure. Splendid roads are laid down all over the Dominion as a result of the operations of the Main Highways Board, The activities of thai body are considerably curtailed acpresent owing to the economic position, but fortunately thousands of miles of first-class roads were completed before the need arose for retrenchment, jjfot only are the surfaces of the roads in excellent onhr for the most part, but the grades and bends have been so improved as to make for safety at all times, provided that e*cesfive Ipeed i» not indulged in.