THE MOTOR WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23796, 1 May 1939, Page 3

THE MOTOR WORLD

By ACCELERATOR

ON THE LIST The work that the New Zealand Transport Department was doing to-day in making the roads safe for traffic was described by Mr W. B. B. McDowell, inspector in charge of the No. 4 transport district, in an' interview at Gore with the Southland Times. There was a recognised section of the community, Mr McDowell said, which was regarded as accident prone, and the department kept a file of the names of all accident-prone motorists. “A motorist who has two bad accidents," he said, “is regarded as acci-dent-prone, and he will one day receive a tactfully worded message suggesting that he should call at his convenience at the office of the chief traffic inspector for his district. The inspector knows nothing about the accidents—at least the department gives him no information about them —and he is not concerned with them in any way. Tactfully he points out to the motorist that he wishes to know nothing about his accidents, but is out to help him.” Mr McDowell said that the inspector, by a general discussion with the motorist, endeavoured to form an estimate of the man’s character, and to diagnose the trouble. He studied his reactions, and noted mentally as many details- as he could to arrive at an accurate estimate of the type of man he was. “ I had an interview with one such man,” he said, " who had been driving motor vehicles since he was II years of age He was about 35 when I saw him. He had been driving school buses, and while driving ordinary cars had had two nasty accidents. I told him that I would do anything I could to help him—anything. I would even let him drive me in my own car if that would help. He accepted that offer, and the first thing I noticed was that he drove in the middle of the road. However I said nothing at the time, and afterwards he took his hands off the wheel on two occasions to illustrate something he was saying. Then we came to a bend in the road, and he took this on the wrong'side, so that had another vehicle been approaching an accident would have been Inevitable. We pulled up at this point and he told me that it was on that precise spot that he had had his last accident. I asked him if he knew whether he had done anything wrong, and he was completely unaware of having committed any infringements of the road traffic rules. I then proceeded to relate to him his faults, and to explain to him the probable causes of his accidents.” STEERING TIME Do you regard your steering wheel as a clock? According to a Canadian writer, some experts say that the best position for the hands on the steering wheel is 10.20. Observation will show how many drive with their hands in that position. Some grip the wheel in just the opposite manner at 20 to 2, some at 0.15, some at 10.10,12 o’clock, and 6.30. Many hold only the spokes of the wheel. Both 12 o’clock and 6.30 are difficult positions in an emergency, as probably the wheel would have to be momentarily released altogether. For maximum control it is said that 9.15 offers the best position, for if the left hand is withdrawn, the right can still manipulate m either direction. NEW AMERICAN IDEAS Persons responsible for new motoring ideas have been busy lately, according to an American writer. Packards have a new steel wheel with slots all round for easy fitting of snow chains, Chevrolets nave fixed it so you can pump up the spare tyre in situ with ease. Chryslers have invented a’ machine which pulls ski-addicts up slopes. Goodrich have brought out six new tyres with special treads for heavy-duty trucks, Chryslers have produced a new Club Coupe, seating five, in three s t y i €s _Royal Windsor, New Yorker, and Saratoga—with six and eightcylinder engines. Hupmobiles . will soon start on their new Skylark models, with such fancy names as “Flagship, “ Mainliner,” “ Cruiser," and* “ Corsair, COMMUNAL GARAGES It is considered by some members of a Glasgow housing committee that individual garages to each house in certain housing schemes are not very attractive. They spoil the general appearance. , ~' In view of this, they have decided to ask the Department of Health if the erection of a common garage for motor-owning tenants would be approved as an alternative scheme. The layout suggested is a crescentformed structure consisting of rows of lock-ups and an area of working space. The cost of construction is rather higher than that allowed for in the erection of garages to individual houses, and It Is suggested that a rental of 29s a month would be an economic figure. TUNNEL WASH An Interesting tunnel wash and a special car valeting and washing plant of Italian origin has been installed in England. The car is driven up to the entrance of the tunnel, and then the front axle Is linked to a traction chain travelling at about three feet per minute, the off-side wheels being confined in a guide channel. While the car is being attached to the chain the interior is vacuum cleaned and a waterproof hood placed beneath the bonnet to cover the engine and its electrical components. . . As the car travels through the tunnel It is sprayed by some 50 Jets of water directed at the roof and sides of the car and underneath the chassis. The jets are constantly oscillating some 80 times a minute, and the pressure of the water varies from 401 b per square inch for the roof to as mucn as 3501 b per square inch for the chassis. As the car passes out the far end it is finished off with sponges and brushes which are automatically fed with water, and finally the car is leathered down, and air guns are used to blow out any water which remains in recesses. SPEED ATTEMPTS PLANNED An exhibit which will attract great attention at the British Government pavilion at the New York World’s Fair, which has just been opened will be Captain G. E. T. Eyston’s Thunderbolt, the giant racing car which, last September, established new figures for the world’s land speed record by travelling over a mile, in both directions, at the mean speed of 357.5 m.p.h. No major alterations have been made to the machine since the record was established. Eyston has applied to the Chamber of Commerce of Salt Lake City, Utah, the organisation which governs the Salt Flats, for permission to make further attempts on the world’s land speed record between July 15 and August 15. As Ab. Jenkins, the American contender for the record, has his speciallybuilt Mormon Meteor ready for an onslaught on existing long-distance motor records, it remains to be seen whether he will carry through his original intention of installing an extra Curtis aero engine in the car with a view to trying to win the blue riband for America. CITROEN CLUB ACTIVITIES The closing run of the year was fittingly the most enjoyable, the attendance being good and the day as perfect as could possibly be wished for in late April. Then the choice of journey’s end was ideal—Trotter’s Gorge being one of Otago’s most outstanding beauty spots. It was a social picnic gathering, and the competitions and sports were followed with keen enjoyment, The return journey was made by way of Kartigi Beach, thus completing the round trip.

Items oi new* —short descriptions ol tours, the state oi the toads, etc,, comment, or inquiries—-will be welcomed by Accelerator.

The annual general meeting of the Citroen Club was held in the club rooms on Thursday evening, the president (Mr A. J. McDonald) occupying the chair The treasurer (Mr D. McPhun) presented a satisfactory statement of the year’s financial transactions, and the balance sheet was adopted. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows:—President, Mr S. W. Pierce; vice-president, Mr A. J. McDonald; secretary, Mr R. G. Ratcliffe; treasurer, Mr D. McPhun; dub captain, Mr R. Stewart; committee—Messrs Westlake, Rillstone, Anderson, Blackmore, and Ellison. The winners of the club’s sporting activities were Messrs Holden Mirams and R. Stewart first, with 45 points each; Mr D. McPhun second, with 38 points; and Messrs Pearse, Rillstone, and Ratcliffe third, with 28 points each. The Citroen, Cup will therefore be held for six mondis each by Messrs Mirams and Stewart, and Mr McPhun wins the cup for the best car for mileage run. Miss D. Paul will be presented with the cup for winning the treasure hunt at Trotter’s Gorge, and keenest lady member. The winners of the competitions at the field day at Taieri were Mr McPhun, 22 points, first; Mr Stewart, 19 points, second; and Messrs Mirams and Jones, 14 points (equal), third. The programme for the coming year was discussed, a social evening arranged for the distribution of prizes and club activities generally received ORIGINAL ROAD HOG While motorists increase, the “ push ’’ or pedal cycle seems to hold its own, says an English writer. Plans have been made lor a week-end tour by a curious cavalcade of cyclists. These will not be any zipp-jacketed young enthusiasts, but a party of middleaged gentlemen, managers, directors, and chairmen of British cycle manufacturing companies They are undertaking a strenuous week-end solely to do honour to a long-departed Scot, one “Daft Pate” MacMillan, who 100 years ago invented the first pedalled bicycle, and three years later rode his creaking wooden contraption from his home in Dumfriesshire to Glasgow. Macmillan, & blacksmith by trade, was also a part-time dentist, and there are people still alive who remember having their teeth extracted in his smithy. He was also the first “road hog,” for on his historic journey, “ fleein’ through the air on wheels,” a small child got in his way, and MacMillan was fined 5s for riding "to the danger of the public.” A LADY IN THE CASE The Bucks Quarter Sessions Appeal Committee dismissed a motorist’s apEeal against a sentence of a month’s ard labour for dangerous driving, and increased a year’s driving ban imposed on him by a further 12 months. The motorist had been sentenced by the Slough magistrates. Mr Derek O’Malley, appearing for the police, before the committee at Aylesbury, said that the appellant, an ex-public schoolboy, knocked down a cyclist in the Slough road, Eton, on November 26. He did not stop because he had a woman in the car with him. and it would have been “ just too bad ” If she had been found in the car.

Mr Maurice Healy, K.C., for the appellant, stated: “He said to himself, ‘Good heavens! I have this lady in the car. That means, if I stop, her name is going to come into this, and my public school tradition is that a lady’s name must be kept sacred, whatever happens.. “I do not think that is the first time thadt that tradition has been heard,” arided Mr Healy. “It is an old tradij-ion, and if it was wrongly applied iDi this case it was applied by a young jnan on the threshold of his career, agpinst whom nothing had been said before. He was in extremely good employment and as a result of this had lost it. He now has a chance of starting again in one of the dominions,. If he goes there with a sentence of imprisonment on him, not only might tjhere be difficulty about his landing, but the chances of his securing a particular job would be most gravely imperilled.” Announcing that the appeal would be dismissed, the chairman of the committee, Judge Digby Cotes-Preedy, said; “H. is a case which, in the committee’s opinion, has no redeeming feature i whatever. These cases of dangerous driving call for strict punishment wtoen discovered. The sentence must stand. But as this committee thinks that the great need is to keep off the roads men who have the disposition this young man has shown, they propose to increase the period of suspension to two years. “I m»y add that some of the members of the committee considered seriously whether the sentence should be increased.” FOE USED CAR PURCHASERS Every year hundreds of motorists change their cars for others of current vintage, which means an equal number of cans, pass into the used car market. The used car buyer, therefore, has an adequate selection from which to choose, and, by exercising a little discrimination. he should be able to obtain a vehicle which will fulfil every requirement. Some sound advice on the purchase of a used car is given by a writer in the Motor. He points out that before plunging too deeply into the question of make, it is well to come to some more or less definite decision regarding the purchase price, the amount of money one Is prepared to pay in running costs, and the type of car best suited to one’s requirements. These points considered, one can then get down to the job of looking around for a suitable vehicle. When to buy is an importantf consideaation. It is generally admitted that the market is at its lowest ebb during the winter months. The shrewd buyer is then searching for the car' he wants. With Easter over, and winter fast approaching, the best time for a uned car hunt is in the offing. As the year progresses, so does the demand, and in late spring and early summer, when the holiday motorist appears, the market becomes more difficult. The question next arises as to where to buy. It is a sound idea to consult a dealer. He has many cars passing through his hands during the course of i a season and probably knows the past history of some in his stock. He should, therefore, be able to give a fat}.' idea as to their previous useage, for it must be borne in mind that no two cars of an identical vintage con be guaranteed to be in the same condition, as so much depends upon the driving habits and mileages of the puevious owner. Peruse also the newspaper advertisements of used cars. Here will be foCind details of the hundreds of cars for sale, both by traders and by the owners, and in the case of the latter it may afford the opportunity of getting in touch with someone who has lavished considerable care upon his caff, and thus has an unusually good article for sale. A further suggestion is to go along to one of the large used car stockists, where many models may be inspected atleisure. The price of used cars is determined largely by the date of manufacture. MJach, therefore must depend upon examination and upon the word of a raputable dealer as regards the allround condition. It may. however, be taken as a general rule that used cars of recent vintage and with not too gfeat a mileage behind them can reasonably be expected to give satisfactory service. In the case of older models, no dealer cjm be definite regarding internal contrition, and in such cases a thorough examination by an independent engineer is essential. He may charge a f<3 e, but this may be money well spent. A big point to be considered is the previous mileage of a car. In the case

of cars of low initial value, a mileage in excess of 20,000 may mean that wear will have occurred to the cylinder bores, brakes, shackles, shock absorbers, and such parts, and that the plugs and tyres will have expended the greater proportion of their useful existence. In the case of more expensive models, it is fair to presume that a considerably greater mileage can be covered before any further big outlay need be made. There are still many good used cars on the market which are actually out of production. The prospective owner who is attracted to one of these would do well to bear in mind that spares may not always be easy to obtain. A final point when hunting around to find a used car—be strong willed. Somewhere in the market there is a car which will fulfil your requirements at a price you are willing to pay, and much dissatisfaction is often occasioned by buying in haste and repenting at leisure. THE MOTOR CYCLE FIXTURES May 6.—Acceleration test. May 15.—Monthly meeting. May 20.—Sporting trial. June s.—King’s Birthday trial. CLUB NOTES The A.A.O. motor cycle section’s most recent event was a scramble. This was held on a course by the side of the Taieri River near Outram. Although not fast this course called for clever handling of one s machine. Owing to the narrowness of the track only three riders competed at once, and, although entries were not large, heats, semi-finals, and finals were run, Heats were of six laps, there being loose sand, slippery mud, grass, and plenty of bumps; in fact, besides skill, quite an amount of physical endurance was required The result of the scramble was A. Napier (8.5. A.) 1, G. Haggit (Royal Enfield) 2 G. Scott (Triumph) 3, Motor cyclists are reminded of the acceleration test, which will be run next Saturday, and all riders should be at the club rooms at 1.45 p.m. No better fuel than petrol is allowed in the test. S. A, Morris continues to lead in the Ariel Cup competition, although D. Williamson is only a couple of points in the rear. Points are awarded for attendance at runs and meetings and a clean machine. SPARKS Motorist: “I’ve never been in court before; I always send my wife,” * * * So that colour-blind drivers should not confuse traffic lights, a Pittsburg professor has produced a special set for their benefit, consisting of red lights set in round frames, and green in square frames. # * * Witness: “We looked to see If the road wag clear, and then we tore over the pedestrian," “ Rough crossing," adds the Motor. # * * Make sure that your rear lights are functioning properly. Poor illumination of lignts and rear number plates is often caused by dusty lamp bulbs, or bulbs which have blackened with age. * * * In one American town some recent bargains included a ten-year-old Ford from a motor dealer*for 35 chickens down and 15s a week, or a Chevrolet of that age for 15 bundles of wood down, or a Plymouth on a deposit of five, small pigs. ¥ * * In order to draw 'attention to the new motor postal service in Switzerland the Berne authorities are affixing special stamps on all letters. Why not affix special hooters on all motor postal cars? * * An uncommon charge preferred against a motorist in Wellington was that of having his car so loaded as to be liable to cause injury. It was stated that there were eight persons in a car designed for four. Defendant, who contended that there were only six passengers in the car, and that he was quite free to manipulate the controls, was convicted and ordered to pay costs. * # V Cleveland Automobile Club Issues a tag to novice members to put on their cars reading: “ New Dnver—Please Show Courtesy." The Motor understands the original suggestion turned down was: “New Driver—Don’t Shoot.” * * v The “ flivver-dumps ” usually seen on the outskirts of every big town in America are disappearing. It was to these auto-graveyards that old cars were driven and abandoned. But now the dumps are being cleared. The armament boom has sent scrap metal prices rocketing. So day *and night lorries are travelling the United States collecting metal from these dumps

# * # Whether he was apprehensive of possible air raids on New Zealand is not known, but a Christchurch motorist recently appeared with his car in a multitude of colours. Front mudguards were a delicate pink, the rear ones were red. the radiator was pink, lamps blue, bonnet green, and the sides of the body were picked out in crazy pavement style. On the bonnet was painted the name “ Blinkin’ Zeffa," and on the rear panel, “This car stops only for railway crossings and blondes.”