A SOLID TEST

NZ Truth, Issue 1229, 20 June 1929, Page 19

A SOLID TEST

Proving Grounds For , New Cars Interest m what is being accomplished on automobile proving grounds, is apparently growing, if 7 one can judge from the number of questions asked m motor-car sales v rooms regarding stamina' and performance qualities of various - makes of cars. DROVING . grounds ' have raised : the * standard of. motor-car manufacture because tests conducted at these great open laboratories bring about an analysis that could not be, obtained by any other means. Years ago, it was the custom qf every maker to put each car through a road test of from fifty to one hundred and 'fifty mile's. This was an expensive operation and greatly added to the cost of the machine, v Uater, practically every, manufacturer a track .m the vicinity of his factory .where cars were, tested--7 These tracks are m operation to- . day, arid- with the completely, equipped laboratories maintained at each plant, makers are enabled to go. ahead and make the cars ; the very best they know how. The result is • the wonderful stamina shown by present-day automobiles. Probably the three great outstanding proving grounds are those whioh have been constructed m recent years by General Motors, Packard and Studebaker; ■■ These have .cost an Immense aniburit Qf imoney which,' according V.to offiqlals of these companies, fully justiify the expenditure. 7 , 7.--At thes;e proving grounds,, tests are carried on every day, under much more severe conditions than any car would ever be called upon to ;go through m the hands of a private owner: '"■• v.-: 7Cars are driven at top speed frdrii * thirty to fifty hours at, a stretch. :v-