BRITISH MOTOR-CARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19550, 1 February 1927, Page 8

BRITISH MOTOR-CARS.

Sir,---The remark# of Mr. P. R. Skeates appearing in your meter column in Saturday's Herald furnish a typical illustration of tho viewpoint of those who sea all motoring matters through Ametinun spectacles. Clearly, Recording to Mr.. Skeatcs, the American car is the ideal of perfection and if a British desipi differ* therefrom in any feature, that feature is wrong. But for the salt® of any who may it ill ha ve an open mind on the question, perhaps one may be permitted to mention some of the advantages of typical British car design. The una Her engine, no much maligned, is lighter on petrol, oil, Iransmission, lyres and starting baitem*. causes less vibration and permits the tar to be built lighter without sacrifice of strength. The loss of top gear climbing ability is surprisingly rem!! considering the disproportionate engine capacities, »m if one h«is to change "gear half » dotea times more in an average day's run, vtbtA of it?—a dab of the foot awl flick cf hand, and it is done. Narrow track Is* frequently of advantage, enabling badly washed-out wheel ruts to be avoided: *tso the car takes less space in crowded, irafße. The lower centre of gravity reduces roll' ing and skidding. Them Is Jess 1/ tm.ee when travelling light, The lower seat*, flatter rake of stierag eolorem, Iwfter placed wheel, ample leg room and righvhand controls all make for driver's cow fori and ewe of control. Steering tl reach lighter. When a puncture occurs a -wheel is quicker to change than a> rica. Ho*:4? ere more easily manipulated and «d»-cur-tatn# ere better. Brakes are mere re* liable. Undoubtedly, the correct end an* biassed view 15 that th«ire ar» commend* ablft feature! in both Amirfcin and Earo« pent car practice and -there have been, unfortunately, soma British cars imported which ware quite unsuited to our coe<!'£ tiois.i. mating a prejudice sgainlt British design generally which is lealouaJv f««* tereel by the agents for American veh:ae*« la conclusion, 1 wish to state that I fc»?« no financial interest in the wis of *RJ ca %. Britiih or otivsr* A. Saw®*.