New Small-Car Experiences

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23263, 4 February 1939, Page 14 (Supplement)

New Small-Car Experiences

STANDARD EIGHT'S IMPRESSIVE FEATURES

A PLEASING new experience in small-car motoring is introduced for 1939 by the eight horse-power Standard, which is now being marketed in Auckland. It, is lilting that an entirely newcomer to the road should offer some innovations, and the Standard can be guaranteed to satisfy the most exacting driver, it is the liveliest of the lower-powered models yet to be tested, at the same time riding with the ease and comfort previously found only in larger and heavier cars. For a baby oar it lias a decided advantage in being first to have independent front-wheel springing. The principle adopted is somewhat different from most others, and particularly those used on American models. A transverse spring is incorporated, and solidity attached at either side of the chassis by a wishbone bracket. The Wiper Efficiency \ I he pull-and-spin type of electric j ! Windscreen wiper may lose some of • • Us former speed and power after j j lengthy service. A simple method ; I of rejuvenation may be employed, j : When the wiper cover < has been | • removed, it will be seen that at the ' j j base of the starting spindle is a • j spring with a pair of contacts in i | the centre. These contacts are ; ■ operated by a fibre cam on the | | spindle, which gradually Wears, so j _ : that the gap between the contacts j { widens. By firmly Wedging a piece j : of matchstick between one end of ! j the spring and the terminal it Will j ?■ be founa that the speed of the i • wiper arm will be considerably in- ; i creased. •

the gear is still in neutral, until lie realises he is already in second. The natty lines of the car also give it an attractive prominence in a line of' ears. There is a clean backward sweep from the curved perpendicular radiator grille to the rounded steel top and tail, in which there is a moderately large luggage boot, as well as a spare tyre and tool compartment. Every inch of bodv space has been utilised, particularly in width, so that the mudguards are largely built into the "bodywork, and running boards have been discarded. Some persons may find slight ineonvenicne(> in entering and leaving the ear, which has two wide doors, with tipping chairs in froilt and a wide back seat for two. There is not too much leg room for the back passengers, although the driving position can be made particularly comfortable The upholstery is soft leather, coloured to match the paintwork, while the model tested bad a simply adjusted and leak-proof sunshine roof. Fittings have been lavishly finished with chromium plating, which adds considerable- to the inner and outer beauty of the car. The instrument panel is well grouped and lighted front behind. The parking lights may be cut out with ,i soon rate switch to leave only the headlamps burniiur. which i« a new departure for British cars. The interior is well lighted with a centrally-placed dome light.In addition to the two saloon models now offering in Auckland, n two-seater roadster will soon be imported. Other Standard models available include nine. 10 and 12 horse-power saloons, all fitted with four forward gears. The range is a particularly attractive one. ft is claimed that the eight will give 52 miles to the gallon at 80 miles an hour, and 15 for ordinary- driving.

knce-action on rough roads gives the smoothest of rides, while on the main highway the body glides without alarming roll at all speeds. Light steering is a further feature that leaves an immediate impression. It is positive in action for fast driving, and a sharp lock makes manoeuvring quite a joy. The ease with which the car can be parked in the narrowest space is surprising. Instead of the customary alignment of the steering gear, the pillar is carried down to the front of the axle, being the farthest forward operating mechanism on the car, although stoutly guarded by the skirting and bumper, The engine is a neat little plant, and remarkably silent for so small a fourcylinder motor. It is set in live rubber, which deadens vibration, and its acceleration is unusually fast. An outstanding point is the ability of the engine to slacken off in top gear and pujl away without, the sickening shudder usually associated with the midget motor. It will attain GO miles an hour in top gear and maintain that speed, while in second it may he driven at 40.

Silent gear-changing may be accomplished at any speed. The synchro-mesh gearing between second and top can be operated with one thrust, without creating any clash. It is a normal change between low and second gears, but a change-down can be made quite effectively with silence. It is a threespeed gear-box, coupled with an extremely smooth clutch, the light action of which is matched with that of the brake pedal and also accelerator. The brakes are mechanical, and a pistol handle under the dash board operates the rear brakes. Climbing is not a tremendous effort to the Standard eight. It will take Grafton Road in top for the man requiring something in performance. It will also maintain such comfortable speeds in second that there is no reluctance to engage this gear to keep up the revs. At -4000 revs, a minute the engine develops 31 horse-power. {Until one becomes used to it, the change from low to second is strange. It is so short that one is apt to think