PROGRAMMES FOR 1935

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 18

PROGRAMMES FOR 1935

MANUFACTURERS' PLANS The needs of the owner-driver aTe being carefully considered by motor-car manufacturers in planning programmes for 1933, states a recent issue of The Motor. One of the most important features is the ease of control afforded by improved gearboxes, efficient brakes and the provision of automatic mechanisms to carry out duties once entrusted to the driver. There are also improved stability afforded by lower centres of gravity, more rigid chassis and other modern developments. In general appearance the majority of the new cars show the influence of the streamlined idea without going to extremes. The enclosure of unsightly auxiliaries such as the spare wheel and luggage carrier, the provision of wider and more effective wings and similar tendencies will be appreciated by owners who like to keep their cars smart with a minimum of trouble.

So far little has been heard of new models with independent springing of the typo which has been so actively developed this year on the Continent and in the United States. Nevertheless, British makers have all been ♦experimenting with such systems, and later in the year certain chassis with independent front springing will probably be announced. At the same time various improvements to the more conventional suspension system are being made, so that the two principles will probably remain in active competition for some time to come.

MOTOR-CYCLISTS' PICNIC Encouraged by the outstanding success of the motor-cyclists' picnic held at Ramarama at the beginning of last month, the Waitemata Motor-Cycle Club will conduct another similar outing on Sunday. A large attendance, including members of the fair sex as pillion riders, is expected. There will be a variety of motor-cycle events, including football on machines, trick riding and races. Great interest is again expected to oentre in a slow race, which proved a great success at the last picnio. PJETROL ECONOMY TEST A petrol economy test will be conducted on the waterfront road by the Auckland Motor-Cycle Club on Saturday over a course from the Auckland railway station to Orakei. Owing to the level nature of the road, some phenomenal figures are expected to be registered. Riders will require to carry separate tanks to hold one pint of petrol and main tanks will be drained and sealed. A large field of riders is expected. The event will be judged in gpparate classes and not by formula. NOTES I It is interesting to record that Canadian factories turned out 65,852 motorcars in 1933 with a total value at the plant of £7,725,000, according to the Dominion Bureau of Statistics. Exports of Canadian cars during the year amounted in value to £1,908,600, an increase of £560,000 on the previous year. Canada's best markets for motorcars and parts in 1933 were, in order of importance, Australia, the United Kingdom, Britibh South Africa, British India, the British West Indies, New Zealand, and British East Africa.

For the first time since the war, the public was recently afforded an opportunity of seeing over the famous Rolls-Royce works at Derby. During the two days the works were open, more than 12,000 people availed themselves of tho change of making the tour of inspection. The importance of these works in the engineering world is such that parties of boys from leading public schools have paid visits recently. Earlier in the year some Harrow boys went and more recently 30 members of Wellington College.