THE MOTOR WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22825, 9 March 1936, Page 5

THE MOTOR WORLD

By ACCELERATOR.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Experiment," Dunedin.—The tyres have been thoroughly tested, and their reliability proved. R. J. H., Waitaki Hydro.—T have been unable to discover where you might get a copy of the Ford "T" Manual. In the regular way the manual is out of print, but a reader may be able to advise me where a copy is available. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The Riley Record for January, containing among other features an illustrated review of 1935 events. The Vauxhall Motorist for the months of October and November. Each issuf contains articles of general interest. The Bedford Transports Magazine for December, with some descriptions of attractive tours. . SPRAYING OF PISTONS. A well-known engineering firm in England is featuring the building up of worn pistons by spraying metal on them. Even aluminium pistons are sprayed with cast iron, thus giving an ideal bearing surface, yet retaining all the advantages of the aluminium component. The uiocess is stated to be inexpensive. A BIG FEAT. In New Jersey a remarkable job of road reconstruction is being carried out. An eight-mile stretch of wide concrete road is bein" split down the centre and one section pushed sideways to provide a 12-foot safety strip of lawn between the two sections of concrete, thu« separating vehicles travelling in opposite direction* The plan for shifting half the road is probably uir •••) in the history of road construction. A plough-like blade drawn by a steam roller removes the bituminous material which binds each 30-ton slap ot concrete. A flat piece of l'-inch hose is then lain along the inner edge of the slab. l'h«J hose is tilled with air under high pressure, and its expansion moves the slab outwards about an inch. A six-inch hose i« then inserted in the crack and inflated. This moves the slab a further four inches. The operation is repeated, heavy timbers being placed in the gap for packing, until each section of concrete, 35 feet long by Hi feet wide, is placed in position on its new prepared foundation.

Four four-inch holes are then bored m each slab, and liquid concrete pourei' in, securely anchoring the slabs. The undertaking i« estimated to cost £BO,OOO. It wa-; calculated that the reconstruction work Would proceed at the rate of 800 feet a day. The eight-mile stretch of split road is to serve as a proving ground. Statistics of this road show that 45.5 per cent, of the accidents have involved cars travelling in the same direction, while in 21.2 per. cent, of accidents cars approaching, each other from opposite directions have been involved. During 1034, 90 people, were killed on this stretch. It is thought that the splitting of the road and the provision of a safety island between the two streams" of traffic will go far towards minimising accidents. In Europe many of the major highways recently laid down are being constructed on the divided principle, eliminating the hazards of head-on collision. A GERMAN LIGHT MODEL. In Europe wide attention has been directed to the tendency among Continental car manufacturers to evolve very light and cheap popular models which the citizen of restricted means could afford to buy and to use. The principal general requirements are that the retail price shall not exceed the equivalent of £IOO, that the mechanism should be simple, and the fuel consumption far less than that of most types at present in the market. Acknowledgment is made to the Motor, London, for the details of the latest scheme, which is being sponsored in Germany by Herr Hitler. There are some advantages in being a virtual dictator, for one can, as it were, press a button and say to this or _ that expert, " Design such and such a vehicle," and, possibly, "Be quick about it." Be that as it may, Dr Porshce, who is in the front rank of German automobile engineers, and who was responsible for the design of the highly successful AutoUnion car, has evolved a chassisfor the masses which has many interesting features. It is not yet on sale, but doubtless its production will not be- long delaved. .When opening the Berlin Motor hhow early last year Herr Hitler said: "The skill of a brilliant brain and the cooperation of his staff have, already produced the preliminary plans" (of a people's car). "Volkswagen" is the German word for the new vehicle, which, it seems, has met with the Fuhrer's approval. Its meaning is self-evident. It has been described as an interesting light-weight chassis suited to very economical production in quantities, and it is hoped that it will be possible to market it at prices not exceeding those of motor cycle outfits of medium size. T4e engine is mounted at the rear of the chassis, and, according to the Motor, although no particular type of power unit has been specified, it is expected that the engine will be a three-cylinder aircooled radial unit. Each of the four wheels is independently mounted on trailing radius arms, and transverse torsion bars are used in place of conventional springs. The frame consists of two steel pressings, each of "U" section, which are welded together and so form a box-

Items of news—short descriptions of tours, the state of the roads, etc., comment, or inquiries—will be welcomed by Accelerator.

off-side rule and the onus resting on motorists it is difficult to understand. It is not clear, moreover, why it is at all necessary to have sign-posts on main or side roads drawing the attention of motorists to either thoroughfare. The question of erecting signposts on side roads may have been inspired, no doubt, because in some districts someone has seen fit to place on the main roads signs reading: "Caution. Side road," or "Caution.. Cross road." . , Obviously, if the signs are required on one class of road they arc required on the other, and more uregently so on the cross road or side road, as its traffic.is entering into the through stream of busier traffic. In one part of North Otago a side road, will marked, descends on to the main highway just over the brow, of a hill, yet there is a main road Caution. Side road," but no " C a,ltlon - Main road " sign on the side road. What has the question of onus got to do with the erection of a common sign warninj: main or side road traffic of an intersection, and what docs it matter whether a motorist believes or not in the off-side rule? It is the law, and a good one. • . ■ ■ ■ • The sign "Caution" is merely a warning and does not imply any rights any more than a sign "Local restriction ceases" implies that a motorist can settle back, foot hard down on the accelerator, to travel aa hard and fast as he likes. If there is any onus on any driver anywhere how is he to know where he is if, at a dangerous corner, no sign is erected for his guidance?

If there is no onus, or any, onus, on any driver anywhere what harm is done by erecting, where necessary, a simple " Caution" notice as a helpful warning? Out in the country one corner is much like another, and at night time, particularly to a stranger, it is surely an aid to safety to be informed that he is about to enter, or cross, perhaps a paved highway carrying fast, through traffic. Moreover, surely it is not the intention to placard every main and side road with signs. If it is, then someone will have the exacting job of deciding what is a main road and what is a side road. The off-side rule, as was pointed out before when someone wrote columns and columns and then abandoned his attempt to prove the off-side rule wrong, makes all roads equal in importance. It eliminates onus. What those who originated it are no doubt trying to do is to give a service to motorists by informing them on side roads that hedges, trees, and so on to the contrary, they need to be more than usually cautious, as there is a through traffic road ahead. Again the side road sign would never have been called for if some districts had not seen fit to caution main road traffic. It is both or neither. So far as the off-side rule is concerned, it is yet to be proved wrong in principle or effect. Some —and they are a very small minority—cite the intersection practice of the United States of America. Well, that is North America. In Buenos Aires, in South America, with a population of 2,250,000 and more vehicles than wc have in New Zealand, the off-side rule is in effective force.

And if critics of the off-side rule wish to quote North America, They might, in dealing with onus as between side roads and main roads, mention the fact that where roads lead on to a main artery the roads are marked: "Stop," and "stop" means .inst that, and no more or lews, before traffic enters a main thoroughfare. If legal speeds are observed in addition to all other safeguards, including the exercise of courtesy and ordinary common sense, the off-side rule is the safety rule it is intended to be. It is abused only by smart Alecs and fools in a hurry. Any city motorist in a city should be driving at the leeal speed, and his corners are easily identified. "Caution. Corner." signs are unnecessary. But corners are not easily identifiable out in the countryside, and when it i« suggested that dangerous, or marked corners should bo indicated by "Caution. Side road," or "Caution. Main road," signs, some people start to split hairs and drag in legal, technicalities, and the offside rule. MOTORING SAFETY. "Motoring safety, very much on the public mind. <an be attained only in one way—the buildina of the safest possible cars by the manufacturer and the temperate' use of their power and speed by the motorist." This was the statement of Mr W. M'Hardy Forman. managing director of General Motors, New Zealand. Ltd., in discussing the important problem of traffic safety. "The mere passage of laws is not the answer to the problem which concerns us all so deeply," he said. " There must be

I like structure of very great rigidity. The design provides for a central " backJ bone" with three prongs projecting at either side, and it is proposed to fit a light flooring of plywood. The drive is taken forward from the engine to a gearbox, and thence back again to the final gearing, from which the power is transmitted through universal joints and halfshafts to the rear wheels. It is added: "The whole scheme has been most carefully thought out, and the chassis appears suitable for carrying light two-seater and four-seater styles of coachwork. ... In its light build and simplicity this small car is reminiscent of the inexpensive type of automobile already so popular in Germany, many of which are fitted with small two-stroke engines which are economical in first cost and maintenance. German car-makers have made great progress during the past few years, and have shown marked initiative in design. The encouragement which they receive from their Government, both directly and in respect of the national road-build-ing programme,.is in sharp contrast with the anti-motoring policy of many British politicians." CAUTION SIGNS. Much academic by-pplay (says " Chassis/' in the Dominion) has. been imported into the simple suggestion of the South Island Motor Union that sideroads leading on to main highways, or main roads, should be sign-posted: "Caution. Main road." Why it is necessary to drag in questions of the

' a full measure of co-operation on the part of the man who makes the modem motor car and the man who drives it. " The manufacturer must build into his product those important and proved safety devices which will aid a motorist in avoiding an accident. He must have brakes strong enough and mire enough to stop his car in the shortest possible time. He must enclose the passengers in his car in walls of steel, above, below and on all sides of them. Pie must make his car easy to steer, easy to manipulate in any emergency. "And the motorist must take full advantage of these safety devices. More than that, he should drive at all time? with extreme caution, travelling at slower speeds at nicht than lie does in the daytime. " He must know what to do on all kinds of roads and in all kinds of traffic. He should realise that pedestrians, cannot move as quickly as he is moving, and therefore should anticipate situations which might cause trouble. " There are certain definite precautions, familiar to most motorists, to take when driving on bitumen or gravel roads, in snow and sleet and rain. Periodical checking of brakes, tyres, lights, horns, windshield wipers, and steering apparatus should be made by every motorist. A defect in any of these might well cause an accident. "No motorist deliberately invites an accident. But by failure to keep his car in condition, to abide by the traffic regulations of the country and city in which he lives, by forgetting for a brief moment his caution, he may well extend just such an invitation. "The manufacturer is trying to do his part. Special engineers are assigned to test cars for their safety, to. devise new ways to give added protection to the people who drive them. " Each year finds ' more rigid frames, greater over-all strength, more powerful and quicker acting brakes—a hundred and one things which mean additional safety to the men and women driving on the country's highways to-day. " Through the co-operation of both the manufacturers and the drivers, the accident toll on the highways can be sharply diminished. It 6urely is worth the effort."

THE MOTOR CYCLE FIXTURES. March 14. —pun to Taieri Aerodrome. March 17.—Monthly meeting. March 28.—Hill climb. April 21. —Monthly meeting. April 26. —Social run. May 9.—Camberley scramble. May 19.—Monthly meeting. May 23. —Social run. June 6.—Petrol consumption test. June 16.—Annual meeting. CLUB NOTES. The inclement weather conditions were responsible for the cycle section of A.A. (Otago) not holding its social run to Lee Stream on March 1. All motor cyclists are invited to a club run, on Saturday next to the aerodrome, where an air pageant is to be held. This will replace the mystery run, and riders will leave the clubrooms at 2 p.m. FAREWELL SOCIAL. Messrs C. Goldberg and J. Kay have been entertained at the rooms of the Auckland Motor Cycle Club. Mr Goldberg will leave shortly for Great Britain, where he is to compete in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race in June, while Mr Kay is making a business trip to England. Both men have done a great deal for the sport of motor cycling in Auckland. Among the guests were the visiting team of American riders and several of the Englishmen and Australians. SPARKS " I wish you wouldn't keep harping on my driving." " 'Fraid I'll be harping on s-something else soon." —London Opinion. Witness at Highgate Police Court: "The back part of the lorry struck the tail of my horse." The first factory for the manufacturing of petrol from coal in Fiance is situated near the Bethune mines. A motorist at Willesden Police Court stated: "The lights were either green, red, or amber when 1 passed them. 1 am not sure." "A man drunk in charge of a car is as dangerous as one drunk with a gun, said Colonel F. G. Barker, chairman of the Wokingham Bench. * sS * Angry motorist: "I paid you Jive pounds yesterday to mend my car. and here I am again." Garage proprietor: "That's very satisfactory, sir. We like to keep our customers."—The Humourist. ¥ * *■ A fine of V2 was imposed on Miss Helen Jacobs, the American lawn tenniß player, at Northampton Police Court for exceeding the 30 m.p.h. speed limit. While being led through Kmgston-on-Tliames a camel decided to rest, his weary bones, and sitting down in the middle of the road held up the rest of the traffic lor several minutes. Unaware of the fact that he had left his cur in gear, Joseph Hanzlik, of Haitimore, was clanking up his car when it started forward and ran over him. Before he could be removed to hospital a charge was made against him lor "reckless driving." It is announced that the Kawasaki Vehicle Company, Ltd., Japan, is planning to build a new eight-cylinder passenger car, to be known as the Rokko. The car will be built in sedan and phaeton models, with a wheelbase of 127$in. The engine is stated to develop 06 li.p. at 1800 r.p.m.

" I should have thought that those awful things in your room would have worried you," said a London magistrate to an hotel manager who was charged with hnving stolen, or, alternatively, with receiving, a 30 m.p.h. speed limit sign, de-re-striction signs, and beacons found in a bedroom of his recently-acquired hotel. The charges were dismissed.

A motorist suffering with nerves asked his doctor if motoring would make his nerves worse. The doctor replied: " Motoring is very good for the nerves — but not if you are run-down." ■ * * * The police census of traffic for 1935 shows that there were 197,703 more vehicles on the London streets than in 1933. As was shown in the previous census, Hyde Park Corner is still the centre of greatest traffic activity. During the 12 hours of the census 82,728 vehicles passed Hyde Park Corner, 60,039 passed through Trafalgar Square, and 60,090 passed Marble Arch. The busiest river bridges were Westminster, Putney, and Blackfriar<?, hi that order. * * * Conscientious Motorist (at pedestrian crossing): Come along, madam. Fearfully Courteous Pedestrian: .I'm waiting for you. CM.: No, please cross. F.C.P.: It's all right really. I'd only just started. CM.: But I've Got to let you cross. F.C.P.: Oh, that's absurd. I mean I'm not in a hurry. I . . . CM (alighting): Then, please take my car, madam, because 1 am. 5£ ill U' When a horse drawing a light lorry bolted recently at Blackpool, a motorist took his car in front of the runaway to save a woman who was pushing a perambulator across the road. The horse crashed into the side of the car and was momentarily checked, so that the woman had time to reach the pavement. The animal continued its mad dash, however, until another motorist threw a nig over its head.

In these days, when ignition efficiency is taken so much for granted, troubles which are due to neglect in this direction are often blamed upon an innocent carburettor. If the engine hesitates momentarily when picking up speed under load, do not at once suspect the carburettor setting or blame tlie petro], but glance at the contact points of the distributor. In nine cases out of 10 these oft-forgotten components will be found dirty, pitted and maladjusted.