MAKES OF CARS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1926, Page 18

MAKES OF CARS

Of the 67 makes of automobiles on the New Zealand market, 34 are of American or Canadian origin, 28 are British, 3 are French, .and 2 are Ital-

iau. It seems strange that tl"wo are only five Continental cars represented in New Zealand. From a patriotic point of view "it is gratifying, since Continental cars are so similar in dosign to English products that they are keenly competitive. Tho fact remains that the average buyer of a motor-car is not influenced by imperialistic motives. He buys purely with the object of getting twenty shillings worth of automobile for every pound sterling. Opinions vary as to whether British or American cars are the best investment for New Zealand conditions. So keen is tho controversy that Continental cars are almost forgotten.

Australia is a keen market for Continental cars and there are actually over 50 such makes represented. There are 42 American cars represented in Australia, 40 English makes, 30 French, 10 Italian, 9 German, and 5 Belgian. It is surprising to find German cars already installed in Australia. The names of one or two will be remembered as those connected with automobile design on the Continent a quart ■ of a century ago. Others arc post-war products. JMost German oars arc in tho high price class. It is generally considered that the workmanship is up to I'rcnch or Italian standards for the expensive class of German car. Makes represented in Australia are the Benz, do Dietrich, -Durkopp, Dux, Eco, Mors Presto, and Stoewer.

G«oat Britain is the world's most comprehensive automobile market. It is the only really cosmopolitan market. Altogether over 200 makes of c;—s arc represented in England. . British ears lead with-about 80 different makes. There arc 55 American varieties, and over 40 French makes. There arc also Italian, Belgian, Gorman, and Austrian cars. ■

On the other hand, America is an exclusive market for_ American cars. There is merely tho choice of the 55 American makes. No dealer would speculate in British or Continental cars. It is possible to travel for hours on busy traffic thoroughfares in the United States without meeting any but American cars. South America is a better market for expensive Continental cars.

A Wanganui motorist who recently paid a visit to Taranaki collected five "blue papers", in the course of his trip. These souvenirs were all tho result of minor bylaw infringements in various Taranaki towns. It was quite an expensive outing.

With a view to promoting the production of charcoal for use in portable suction gas plants on motor trucks, the French Government is organising a competition for portable charcoal plants. There will be two divisions, one for simple charcoal ovens and the other for by-products recovery plants. The competition will be held in June in the neighbourhood of Bordeaux. At the conclusion of tho competition tlie ovens will be removed to and exhibited at the Bordeaux Fair. At the same time there will bo a competition for motor trucks operated by suction-gas generators. This will comprise. a road test in the district round Bordeaux.

' • Referring to the small "high-effici-ency '' engines in use on European small cars, Col.. Mar tinot-Lagarde says in an artielo in "La Technique Moderne" that since 1914 piston speeds have increased from 1450 to 1800 ft. p.m., and volumetric compression ratios from 4.6 to 5 and over.

As an indication of tho serious intent of Great Britain to lead in the air as she had led for centuries on the water, the percentage of British passengers who.left tho French flying field of Lo Bourget.in January of this year was nearly CO per cent.'of .the'whole. The exact . figures wero:—British, 49 per cent; American, 19 per cent.; French, 11 per cent.; Dutch and other nationalities, 11 per cent.

At tho last meeting of the Wanganui Automobile Association members drew attention to the lax way in which danger signals were left on bridges after repair work had been completed. Motorists were becoming so used to danger flags being left behind that there was a possibility of tlie signals being ignored when they really forewarned repair work. .

In a discussion on the approaches to tho Dublin street bridge, Wanganui, Dr. E. E. Porritt stated at the meeting of the Wanganui A.A. that until the off-side rule was brought into force there would always be trouble. The offside rule states that all traffic must give way to that coming from the right. The rule has already been adopted by tho Auckland City Council as a bylaw.

It may not occur to everyone, even with years of motoring experience, that it is advisable when a motor-car (new or used) is standing for oven a few days, to give the engine a turn with the starting handle. Ono turn will do. This changes the compression on the various valve springs. If an engine is left too long with one of the valves open, the continued compression on the springs is likely to shorten the same a trifle, and this depreciates the power of the engine.

AVeak eyes of motorists who tour many days at a stretch may be soothed by the use of a boric acid solution. A home-made solution may lie made by adding one tablcspoonful of boric acid to ono pint of boUing water. Allow to cool and bottle. Apply to the eyes by

moans of an eye cup, which may be purchased fora small sum. If tho eyes are red and inflamed from tho wind, they may be washed at morning and nig;.t with the solution. Care should be taken to see that the boric acid crystals are thoroughly dissolved so that they may not irritate the eyes.

An Auckland Magistrate is taking advantage of tho far-reaching section of the Motor Vehicles Act, which allows endorsement and suspension of driving licenses for dangerous driving. It is a very effective method of impressing irresponsible drivers with tho consequences of recklessness. Endorsement is not permitted for a first or socond offence consisting solely of exceeding a speed limit. An endorsement may be recorded on a driver's license for three years after the offence. It is a breach of the Act for an,applicant for a license to omit to disclose a previous endorsement.