LIGHT-WEIGHT RUNABOUTS.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 102, 1 May 1919, Page 3

LIGHT-WEIGHT RUNABOUTS.

SOME PRELIMINARY DETAILS

Announcements are beginning to apnear in the English motoring journals in reference to many new lightweight runabouts that are to be marketed at an early date. One of the smallest and lightest is that to be made by the makers of the StrakerSquire, a well-known English car. The outstanding feature of this car will be a three-cylinder air-cooled, radial type engine, 75 mm. bore by 75 mm. stroke, giving a cubic capacity of 994 c.c. It is expected to develop 16 b.h.p. at 2000 r.p.m. The transmission will be conventional, with a three-speed gearbox, shaft diive and spiral-bevel, differentialless back axle. Rack and pinion steering will be adopted, and detachable wire wheels SO mm. by 700 mm. The car will be exceptionally small and light, having a 7ft wheolbase and a 3ft 9in track; tho total weight complete will be 6 cwt. The only light car produced with a weight so low was the Humberette, which had an air-cooled v-twin engine. These, of course, are only prelimin-' ary details. Tho manufacturers ore convinced that the radial air-cooled emrine is. the right type for a light vehicle, and, as "they have had very considerable experience during the war of the design and construction of such engines, are going to put their beliefs to the test. The car will bo produced at a separate factory. The type of cai* which they hove in n-ind is one that will be regarded as t\ stepping-stone for the man who is tired of the motor-cycle and side-car ami who wants a car, but cannot afford post-war prices. It is expected that this type of man, having'had experience with motor-cycles, will not be content with a slow' vehicle. The manufacturers state that They have not the least doubt about the "success of air-cooling for car work, in the light of their aero engine experience, and intend marketing a car which they believe will stand any amount of hard work and will maintain an excellent average; in fact, as good an average as a. hicrh-ncwer motorcycle and sidecar, with the additional comfort of a car.