THE MODERN CAR

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 12, 27 December 1930, Page 15

THE MODERN CAR

IMPRESSIONS OF OLYMPIA A visitor to the motor exhibition which was recently held at Olympia has set forth his impressions of the various observed improvements of modern cars in the following terms: The wire wheel bids fair to dominate the industry: it is now fitted to nearly seven-tenths of the world’s cars. Owner-drivers are not too fond of it. because it is awkward to clean. But it makes for better riding, and is very strong for its weight. Unfortunately very few ears, even in the £5OO class, are supplied with two spare wheels; and (he first puncture in every drive must still suggest an immediate stop for tyre repair. Suspension evinces no material advance, but shock absorbers record slight imnrovements year by year. Brakes called for little attention, as they were already adequate. It is good to see an almost universal transference of the headlamp controls from the dash to the steering-wheel hub; and this obvious change is coupled with substantial advances in the control of dazzle. Nobody has yet evolved a headlamp which eliminates dazzle whilst maintaining full illumination. The driver’s retina must still cope with the task of studying n road flooded with yellow radiance at one moment and plunged into gloom at the next, except for an oblique shortdistnjee beam. But his control of the headlamps is now light to operate, and more certain in action than was the case two years ago: and the control is right under his fingers. The pedestrian and all oncoming traffic escape violent dazzle when both headlamps are dipped and swung, whilst some systems also switch out the offside lamp. Invention has reached its limit, and can contrive no fresh equipment, though one of the Morris cars actually has an umbrella, complete with socket. Bumpers, stop lights, roof nets, rear window blinds, reserve fuel supplies, reserve oil supplies, petrol gauges, radiator shutters, and all the other luxuries so uncommon two years ago are now tn bo found on the cheapest cars. Conchwork changes only in outline and fitting, if we except the new version of the Weyman body. Good as these bodies have been since their introduction, excelling all others in their low weight and maintained silence, some motorists disliked the comparatively dull appearance of their fabric exteriors. For 1931 they nre available in more brilliant editions, metal panelling being grafted on to the flexible construction. In night traffic a brilliant body finish is actually a sad nuisance, for it acts ns a most efficient reflector to powerful lamps: but fashion is a tyrant in such matters.