NEW CARS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22194, 10 September 1937, Page 19

NEW CARS

FOUD TJEN FOR 1938 GREATER COMFORT ON LONGER WHEELBASE general change in body LINES As revolutionary as the changes in its bigger model are the changes in the 10 horse-power Ford for 1938. In a few words the car has greatly improved riding comfort on a longer wheelbase, generally improved body lines as the illustration on this page shows, more efficient brakes, better internal appointments and generally better performance. The car was tested yesterday by "The Press," and it gave an impressive performance over a varied course. The design is entirely new except for the proved power unit, but the characteristics of previous designs are retained. The new body lines give the impression of roominess, and the body is roomy. The front bucket seats move over a range of about five Inches, and the struggle to move the seats is reduced by the presence of a useful chromium bar running across under the instrument panel. One of the most important factors in the new comfoft of this model is the increasing of the wheelbase by four inches to 94 inches. This permits the use of the centrepoise system common on the bigger models. Yesterday this Ford Ten was driven over wavy bitumen and bumpy shingle roads, and the improvement in comfort on last year’s model was amazing. There was no bucking or swinging and no jolting. Yet the interior is big enough for four persons of more than average size. Even in the back seat, often the parcel compartment of a small car, there is ample room, for the front seats are on tubular frames with space underneath for the feet of the rearseat passengers. Thus passengers at the rear enjoy the same comfort as those in the front seats as both front and rear seats are suspended between the two axles. This distribution of weight is an important factor in road holding and general security. Pleasing Lines There is restrained but modern line throughout the body with sweeping curves from the now' grille radiator, which is divided into three divisions, to the luggage compartment in the rear panel. ’ The wings are deep and wellbalanced and blend excellently with the body contour. The general appearance of sturdiness is enhanced by the pressed steel wheels, of which a fifth is kept in a small compartment in the tail. Luggage accommodation also is arranged In the tail, and is hidden by a panel which drops. Thus a smooth line is maintained throughout the rear part of the car, and the spare wheel is accessible without interfering with the luggage. The body, incidentally, is of all-steel welded construction. Equipment is liberal and includes all important items. The Instrument grouping on the panel is well arranged, a large speedometer dial being placed directly In front of the driver, with the other instruments on each side. They are set in a moulded bakelite panel, with a very large glove compartment in front of the passenger. Other equipment includes dual windscreen wipers operated by vacuum; draughtless - ventilation afforded by means ol a cowl at the side ol the scuttle: rear window blind with remote control; roof light; sun visor; and concealed traffic Indicators operated by a self-cancelling switch on the centre of the steering column. No separate sldelamps are provided on the principle that too’ much equipment In the front of a car detracts from its appearance, and the headlamps carry two bulbs. Greatly Increased braking efficiency is achieved by the fitting of Girling brakes, which have established an excellent reputation, combining lightness and efficiency in operation. The hand brake is operated bv a pistol grip beneath the centre of the instrument panel. Transverse Springing The characteristic transverse springing system has been retained, but an extra leaf had been added at the front and both springs are fitted with hydraulic shock absorbers. Only small modifications have been made in the engine, which performed so well in the previous model.* More rubber mountings are used and the bearings are generally improved. Although more than 35 miles to the gallon is claimed as the petrol consumption, the model is guaranteed to do 35. The ease or handling of the car is delightful. Yesterday ft was taken up hills and down, over bitumen roads and over shingle, and its performance was excellent, especially when it id realised that this particular car was quite new and still stiff in the bearings. No great effort was needed for the car to climb Dyer’s Pass in second gear, and incidentally, the second gear is silent. On the down grade the compression in second gear was such that the engine had to be accelerated. There was complete absence of swing in the loose shuigle. This is undoubtedly attributable to the longer wheelbase. In short, the Ford Ten is a sturdy little car, economical, easy to'handle, and of pleasing lines. The main specifications arc; Engine, four-cylinder of 1172 c.c.; R.A.C. rating, 10; wheelbase, 94 inches; track, 45 inches; turning circle, 36ft 6in; overall length, 13ft; overall width, 57 inches; price, £298; price for two-door model, £289.

Nelson 7, B. Wisetey 6, A. Richards 5 R. Frizzell 4, W. Wear 3, W. Alexander 3. W. Brown 3, M. McClurg 1, J. Brewer 1. CORSAIR MOTOR CLUB A sports run will be held by the Corsair Motor Club at the Gust Domain on Sunday. A variety of sports events is to be held as well as races on the half-mile grass track. The club has not visited Cust for some time, and this run should be the most successful for this half season. A party of riderrwill leave the depot at 9.30 a,m. and go to Cust under control. Hot water Is available on the grounds. Prizes won at Coburn will be presented at the social evening on Tuesday night next. The following riders secured places:—B. Wisely, J. Lang P. Pearson, W. Alexander, J. Bourne. C. Mooar, M. Rush. DOES GARDENING SPOIL YOUR HANDS? EVERY WOMAN LOVES A GARDEN. HOW TO AVOID THE PENALTY. Just now. when the Spring is making everything grow, the garden is very tempting. Don’t worry about your hands—when you come in, just massage them generously with Q-TOL. It will immediately remove the grime and prevent your skin from becoming rough. The daily use of Q-TOL keeps the hands soft, supple, and .white. QTOL immediately soaks deep into the pores, Is non-greasy, and surprisingly economical. Get a bottle of Q-TOL to-day. Beware of imitations. There is only one Q-TOL. Read about the other things Q-TOL is good for on the wrapper enclosed in every bottle, and mind the men folk don’t use all the Q-TOL before and after shaving.

greatly increase consumption without any really comparable gain in acceleration. If an owner endeavours to cultivate the technique of a fairly slow, steady pressure on the pedal, easing it back as soon as the deshed speed has been reached, the car will have a far better opportunity of delivering the miles to the gallon latent in it. Two Australian engineers, working in slightly different directions, have been experimenting with the idea ot coupling a small hydraulic shock absorber to the throttle Dedal with the idea, of so imposing a nicely graduated resistance to the downward pressure o£ the loot, that drastic use ot the throttle becomes impossible, although the resistance is not so heavy that the driver Is prevented from obtaining maximum acceleration when he wants it. Various tests have shown that this idea does make a difference, and the principle seems worth pursuing.

Mechanical condition is rather important, and, besides keeping the combustion chambers clean and tne valves In good condition, the owner should always be careful to run on an efficient set of plugs properly adjusted, checking the gaps every three or four thousand miles and replacing the plugs with a new set every 10,000 miles. It is rather interesting that many engineers advocate a rather close plug gap of about .025 inch for modern high compression engines, as compared with the .030 inch commonly advised by car manufacturers. The spark should be advanced as far as possible, the carburettor float at the correct level, and the running, gear of the car as free from friction, as possible. That is another way of saying that the brakes should always be so carefully adjusted that when running in the “off” position, the shoes do not rub against the drums.

a finance sub-committee w6s appointed. Messrs Osborne, Scott, and Calder were appointed to confer with the College Board of Governors in the nomination and selection of the 1937 Blcdisloe Medallist, to be announced in December.