THE MOTOR WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18454, 16 January 1922, Page 2

THE MOTOR WORLD.

By Accelerator. [ltems ot news—short descriptions ot Wars, the state .of roads, eto.,r-comment, or inquiries will bo 'welcomed' by “ Accelerator.”] TO CORRESPONDENTS. “ A Woman.”—Many thanks for your contribution. “ Driver.”—The Lower. road - to Portobello is in a shocking state at presontr-as “ lumpy ” as the hSrbour itself in angriest mood.- ■ . ACKNOWLEDGMENT. ■ My thanks to Mr W. J. P. M'Culloch for a copy of his calendar for 1922, which is a suitable reproduction of Heather and Iron Duke in one of the test races for the Sanders Memorial Cup. THE SMALL ENGINE CULT. The. most characteristic tendency among British and French manufacturers is the production of smaller engines—and still smaller engines. This is clearly attribut- ■ able to the influence of the graduated scale of taxation according to horse-power. (The result, unfortunately, is a ' type of brticle in no way suitable to overseas conditions—which is a pity, for it will seriously affect the trade which the Homeland might reasonably expect to do with New Zealand (states a northern writer). There will, of course, always be a considerable demand for the small British car. It is a, unique production, being both speedy and cheap to operate. For a variety of service it has many advantages, though, its utility stops short when the severe conditions ruling in back-country districts have to be encountered. A THREE-DAYS’ BATH. Wi f h the excitement and turmoil of the recent San Antonio flood at its height, Mr D. B. Spiller, : of the Exchange Sawmills Sales Co., recalled that ho had left his Dodge car in a storage garage—and thdy had placed it in the basement only the night before. As the flood grew worse, and the car had been submerged for three days, Mr Spiller made up his mind that there was nothing left for hiih to do except smile stoically/and bid his roadster a fond farewell ’ f " A aorry-looking sight, soaked with grease and mud as well as water, the car was finally dragged out into the light of day. As ho fopnd that the expense of cleaning and ■ reassembling the oar was comparatively small, however, tho owner took the chance. To his surprise, after a thorough cleaning the enamel was as good as before. the flood, and the roadster ran like 1 a new oar. . - Of. 40 or 50 cars in the same basement, the Dodge car was the only one which did riot require repainting. As Mr Spiller says, he feels that he now has “a car that has stood the acid test.” TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER. * - A party of Christchurch _ motorists, who recently returned from a trip to the Franz Josef Glacier, report to “Roadster,” of the Christchurch Press, that the road for practically the whole distance was in good order, and as they experienced splendid weather,’ the trip was in every way thoroughly enjoyed. The, road from Otira to Hokitika made excellent going, and the beds of the creeks, though rough and uneven, were not difficult to ford, as there was’not much water in . any of them. The only stretch that presented .anything like a climb was Mount Hercules, and there tho surface and grade were such as to make it easily negotiable for any ordinary good csi. . ; All tho rivers are bridged as far as Ross, and once past that, place there is the Waitahi and Little Wanganui to be forded, the Big Wanganui being bridged. At both fords horses are available for towing purposes, and the motorist can requisition their services by telephoning the fordkeeper some time ahead of his arrival: There is a splendid road all the way to the .Waitangi River, the grad© being .almost imperceptible. The Waitangi has a treacherous bottom of quick-sand, and the night before the party arrived tho ford had been shifted bv a fresh, with the result that the first mail car to attempt the crossing became stuck, and remained in tho river for two hours. By the time the patty arrived a new ford had been marked with stones, and gravel had been distributed over tho river bottom, giving the car a good ■ crossing. From tho Waitangi it is a Straight run to tho Glacier Hotel. The trip is famous for tho beauty of its scenery, which was greatly appreciated by the visitors. For mile after mile the tall trees on either side of the road make a splendid avenue, and the bush and mountain scenery is something to be remembered. It is ovoected teat the Little Wanigranui and Waitghi will both bo bridged in about a yeai’a time, an improvement which will be greatly, appreciated by motorists ' “THE CARE OF YOUR CAR.” The Vacuum 041 Company (Ltd.) have issued a useful booklet of 71_ pages, dealing with the correct lubrication of motor car, motor cycle, and motor truck engines. This • book is a valuable help to every motor owner, as it is the authority on correct lubrication. All the facts it presents are scientifically correct. For example, in _ tho second chapter, entitled “Your Engine; Attaining Its Correct Lubrication ” is one of the most scientific and logical explanations of the principle and practice of correct lubrication as embodied in the Chart of Recommendations, that has been published. The facts are presented in such an interesting and simplified way that the average motorist will find the,' book very interesting reading, and he will be able to understand every word of it. . A very comprehensive article on “Lubricating Systems,” illustrated with clear diagrams showing the different types of lubricating systems of motor engines is included. “ Engine Troubles—-Their Causes /and Remedies,” is another excellent chapter in this booklet, and very many useful and scientific hints are given which are most easy to follow' in every way. Tho lubrication of the “Ford” car receives special attention, and the engine is illustrated. ■ This “Care of Your,Car” booklet has a threefold purpose—first, to- show the economy • on using correct lubrication; second, to show the benefits of using correct grades of Gargoyle and Mobiloijs as specified in the Chart of Recommendations : and, third, to offer the motorist the professional i advice of the Vacuuiri Oil Company Pty. ■ (Ltd.)-The Chart of Recommendations—in correctly lubricating his equipment. Readers are advised to write to the nearest branch of the Vacuum Oil Co., for a copy of this booklet," which will bo sent free of cost THE NEW FIAT MODEL. Tn their new model, designated the SuperFiat, the engineers of the leading Italian Motor Car Company have produced a car which can claim to be the mechanical masi terpiece of the year. This new model will ! not interfere in any way with the three : standard types already on the market, for it is a luxury car embodying twenty-two , years’ experience, intended to surpass the ideals of even the most exacting, .and to 1 be produced in limited quantities. | The oar possesses an unusually powerful 1 and flexible engine, which enables practically all the driving to lie done on top | gear, and gives remarkably rapid accelera- | firm. The engine has 12 cylinders in two i groups of six, with a bore and stroke of 85 by 100 mm. Without any loss of accessibility all the working parts and accessory organs have been enclosed, giving I that clean artistic appearance for which ! Italian motor cars are famous. The/valves are mounted in tho detachable cylinderhead, and are operated by a camshaft in the base chamber, with enclosed push rods and rocker arms. There is a single carburetter for tho twelve cylinders, mounted in the angle formed by the two blocks, and having an intake manifold cast with the water outlet pipo,_ thus assuring a uniform heating of the mixture on its way to tho parts'. Exclusive features are extended in many directions with satisfactory results. Very big diameter brakes. ore fitted on the .front and rear wheels, with simultaneous operation by means, of pedal. In addition tho rear wheel brakes can be locked independently by hand lever. A most elaborated sot of instruments is carried on tho aluminium instrument board, among them being clock, revolution counter, thermometer, altimeter, oil and petrol pressure indicators. _ The Suner-Fiat has a wheel base of 152 inches and a track of 59 inches. Its maximum speed with full loal is 75 miles an hour, and jts bottom gear enables it to climb gradients of 32 per cent Tho tyro size is 595 by 155 -mm. CYCLE NOTES. Never race the engine on the stand. . Don’t interfere with the engine unnecessarily. . . Don’t meddle with the timing gear. Don’t carry “four up” on an outfit built for two. . Don’t .brake suddenly except in ©mepgency. Don’t let your clutch in fiercely when St< A motor cyclist recently summoned for dangerous driving pleaded that, owing to the wet, his belt was slipping and the en-

gine accordingly racing, thus giving the impression of speed. His defence was accepted and the charge dismissed. All magistrates are not so easily convinced. At the Opqtiki motor cycle race meeting none of the fast machines could hold the track, and most of tho events went to tho ordinary stock models, which, of course, were more adapted for a heavy, greasy course. In 1921 some very fast times were recorded. “Red” Parkhurst established anew record for the t flying mile at the rate of 111 miles per hour. His triumph was short-lived, however, for Gene Walker came out a few weeks later and “tuned him up” at 116 miles per hour. These were both. straight-away records on Daytona Beach (U.S.A.). Word is just > to hand of fresh laurels gained by the diminutive Gene. This time he broke four world’s mile dirt-track records at St. Louis, Mo., on November 8. 1921. The now records are: — 1 Mile 42.35e0 2 Miles Imin 26.25e0 5 Miles : 3min 3Ssec 10 Miles ... ... 7min 23.55e0, , , IN DEFENCE OF WOMEN DRIVERS. The toliowaig letter from an esteemed correspondent speaks very effectively for itself: "Dear ‘Accelerator’,—l observe from your motoring notes that there is evidently a discussion going on in northern papers about the wisdom or otherwise of allowing women to drive, tne reason for doubt on the subject being given as inability to meet an emergency or do repairs on the road. The writer arrived at - the conclusion that as no woman has taken up the cudgels in defence of her-sex, silence means agreement with the implication of inefficiency. ‘‘You, * Mr ‘Accelerator,’ show better judgment when you dub this conclusion as unsound. Women do not seek the limelight of publicity as men do. and on the subject ot woman’s inefficiency in 'any particular direction as compared with man’s, she has arrived at the stage of the broad smile ■and the shrug of the, shoulders. If; it pleases man to pride 1 himself on the superiority of his driving, Well let him enjoy such easily-obtained pleasure! In. the meantime we would ask for facts. How many women as compared -with mert have been responsible for, deaths or accidents in motor driving, or have been arrested or convicted for careless driving? ‘Chassis’ mentions one flapper in Christchurch who has miraculous escapes by the score to heir credit. Possibly that means careless driving, but the escape also means marvellous presence of mind and quick judgment In each emergency. Otherwise she would be caught. The correct attitude in,criticism is not to compare, women with' men, but to compare nervous girls of, : 16 with nervous boys of 16,“ and foolish,, chattering women with equally foolish men. then the sane careful ■ women will compare favourably with the; sane careful men. and I think we have yet to pieet the stupified half-drunken woman as a motor driver. “I," as a woman driver; could cite plenty of experiences of narrow escapes from the mad follies of. young lads and careless, reckless men. No useful end is ever served by trying to run down one sex as compared with the other. There are nervous, foolish people in both sexes, but evidently ‘Chassis’ expects that although 'any man, whether nervous, reckless, or given to arirtk, may drive a car, only the sane, careful, well-balanced woman, with a quick eye and quick judgment, should be allowed to drive. , -, _ “If J-jiese latter qualities were insisted oh by - motet inspectors before granting a certificate or efficiency to men as well as to women. I should be the first to say, well and good, but to suggest that these qualities should bo desirable only in women drivers is to confess hostility towards women. As regards repair on the roads, . Many women can do the minor repairs; and, on the other hand, many men cannot do them. They confess unblushingly that' they wait by the roadside till some one conies' along who can give a hand. Let us• leave this-eternal sex war alone and face the fact that, at woman is not perfect, neither is man. If a man .makes a mistake, whether it be in governing a country, carrying on war, navigating ihe seas, or oven driving a motor car, nobody pays any'heed; it is merely a trivial event in the ordinary routine of life; 1 but let a woman make a mistake in any branch of work, and it is published from the housetops from Pole to Pole. She must be perlect I—l am, etc.. A Woman. SPARKS. The Motor Garage Proprietors and Traders’ Association of New Zealand (incorporated)/ has reduced its name’ to tho ‘‘N.Z. Motor Trade Association (Incorporated).” The production of .alcohol from, molasses, and ,the waste of pineapple factories is making progress in Hawaii. By such , means it is estimated that some 9,000,00!) gallons of motor fuel could’ be produced annually. - , One of the provisions of the ’ Victorian Traffic Bill reads:—“When two vehicles meet at cross roads, so as to involve risk of collision tho vehicle which has the other on its right-hand side shall, slow up, and allow such other vehicles to pass in front.” The announcement is made that the French Committee for Aeronautical Propaganda is offering a prize of one, million francs —about £20,000 —for the “best” ' aero engine. Tho French Aero Club is charged with the duty of drafting the terms and conditions of the competition. Battery-driven electric vehicles are slowly but surely coming into their own. Users are beginning to realise that these vehicles have their sphere of commercial use, and that, though they cannot yet compete with other vehicles for long-distance work, they possess attributes of economy when frequent stops and short-hauling are the governing conditions. “Traffic control has got its hold on the northern towns,” said a professional, man recently returned from the north to a New Zealand Times reporter. “Wanganui is moving with tho times. .AH over the streets are the notices. ‘Keep to the Left,’ and down the centre of . the pavement, is painted ,a big white line.”