STARTING HANDLE.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVI, Issue 42, 28 May 1935, Page 2

STARTING HANDLE.

PERMANENT FIXTURE USEFUL,

The evolution of the present-day car, in most instances, has seen the disappearance of the fixed starting handle, which was a feature of all cars some years ago. There are many motorists who would like to see the old practice revived, particularly those owner-drivers who prefer to attend personally to the welfare of their machine.

The history of the starting handle may not>be familiar to many people who have joined the motoring ranks only since the fixed starting handle has been discarded on most makes of cars, consequently they are not acquainted fully with the advantages of the fixed handle. Before the advent and standardisation of the electric self-starter in all cars about 16 years ago, handles were used. Their main function, of course, was to start the engine, but they also enabled, careful motor owners to free the working parts of the engine on a cold morning, and frequently to test the compression of the cylinders, the latter being one of the most

valuable guides to the efficiency of the motor engine.

With the coining into vogue of the aproned front between the dumbirons, came the detachable starting handle. The result is that many owner-drivers who would like occasionally to check up the compression of their engine now fail to do so, owing to the starting handle being stowed away and the nuisance of getting it out and fitting it. No

doubt many minor troubles were in j the past detected by motor owners at the outset by occasional use of the fixed handle, but these days these small defects are frequently permitted to develop into major troubles, simply because of inattention. There is little question that most owner-drivers would prefer to have a fixed starting handle if it could be conveniently accommodated without spoiling the appearance of the front

of the car, and this does not appear to be an insurmountable difficulty. As the ambition of all car manufacturers is to ensure that their machines give entire satisfaction, i&& is. rather surprising that greater effort was not made to retain the advantages of the fixed handle.