THE MOTOR WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20337, 20 February 1928, Page 5

THE MOTOR WORLD.

By ACCELERATOR. (Continued from Page 4.) NutV BRITISH MOTOR CAR. meeting dominion conditions. The arrival of an all-British motor car specially designed and built to meet the requirements of New Zealand conditions was celebrated at tho works of General Motors, New Zealand, Ltd., at Petone recently, when a large number of Wellington citizens interested in motoring assembled at the invitation of the directorate to inspect the new models of V aux11a 11 Motors, Ltd.. England, which have arrived from Britain, and m;e about to be placed on tho New Zealand market. Among those present were tho Mayor of Wellington (Mr G. A. Troup), Mr J. W. Collins (Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce), Mr F. W. Manton (president of the Wellington Automobile Club), and Mr <T. 11. Cousins (secretary of the Motor Trade Association). In welcoming the visitors, Mr Walter E. Hill, managing director of General Motors, New Zealand, Ltd., said it was an auspicious occasion because bis organisation was definitely entering the British car market in the Dominion. They wore proud of their association with the now Vauxhal] car. which, he said, incorporated the advantages and merits of Brr.ish engineering skill and quality with the great research, development, and marketing facilities of the General Motors Corporation. The new Ahmxhall was an entirely British product—it was not designed in the United States, nor were the engineers who produced it dominated by American ideas. In accordance with its policy of operation towards each of its units, the entire organisation of General Motors was placed nt the disuoiul of the Vanxhuil directorate. The visitors inspected Hie now cars, of which five different typos of the new sixcylinder 20-60 h.p. model were shown, as well as a standard chassis. “For the first time an English manufacturer of high quality motor cars in the medium • price class is concentrating the entire offqyts of a great factory upon producing a car specially suitable for Empire markets,” said Mr G. B. M'Guire, sales manager for the export division of Vauxl all Motors, Ltd. Mr M'Guire said Ins company- had been engaged on the design and construction of this model for the past two years, and it had been sub-mivlt-d to the most rigorous tests under conditions comparable to those in New Zealvti.d. A special study of New Zealand road conditions is to be made by Mr M'Guire, who is now touring the North Island with a caravan of the new models. Ho will return to Wellington on March 3. After that a comprehensive tour of the South Island will be made by the caravan. CLASSIC RACE " OFF.” THE FRENCH GRAND PRIX. Tho 1928 Grand Prix race has been cancelled by tho Automobile Club of Franco on account of the poor field offering. This is au indication that many automobile manufacturers are tiring of the expense of maintaining sjiecial racing departments. Tho French Grand Prix bus always proved spectacular, but the promoters feared a disappointment if it was staged this year. Bugatti was the only certainty. Fiat, Mercedes, and Alfa-Eomeo were possible competitors, but no assurance could bo .secured. The Dotage firm definitely decided to abstain from racing in 1928, while tho Talbot, racing department recently offered ils 1500 e.o. Grand Prix models for sale. The reason for the lack of interest is that some manufacturers, particularly those whose successes have been many, have decided that tho publicity value of racing with machines which bear no resemblance to stock types is not balanced by tho cost of tiio special departments. Some Continental firms have been spending from £30,000 to £40,0C0 a year on racing. Interest is now being diverted lo stock-car racing, such as lias attracted American factories during the last year, titor-k-car racing would have been a tamo business 10 years ago, but tho latest productions of manv factories are capable of such high speed in their normal shape that good entertainment is assured. From a research point of view there is more to bo learned from a long-distance stockcar race- at 90 m.p.h. than from a competition between pure racing machines at perhaps 120 m.p.h. Unless a racing machine has a close affinity to tho standard product of its maker its performance proves nothing regarding the stock ear. Tho consistent running of a standard type m a road race at least proves that such things as lubrication, springing, and cooling v. i!’ not break down under hard usage. The first French Grand Prix was run in 1906. Previously the classic annual event was the Gordon Bennett_ race, but after winning the cup outright in 1005 the French Club refused to offer it again on the ground that Italy, and Switzerland, then but small figures in the industry, should not bo on tho same looting with the leading producer. Since 1906 about 12 French Grand Prix races have been run, but during the lust six occasions there have been disappointing reductions in tho entries.