Motor and Cycle

Otago Witness, Issue 3868, 1 May 1928, Page 71

Motor and Cycle

<B Z

DEMON.

The well-known manufacturers of commercial vehicles, Leyland Motors, Ltd., who also own the Trojan car business, show a net profit for 1927 of £233,842 6s 7d, against £191,211 5s for 1926. The adverse balance on profit and loss account is reduced from £518,467 7s lid to £284,625 Is 4d. LUBRICATING OIL. Mineral lubricating oil imported into ~ New Zealand during the past two months of 1928 totalled 391,400 gallons. This was valued for duty purposes at £37,373, an average of Is 10jd a gallon. This quantity of oil- includes, of course, supplies of lowgrade lubricant not intended for automobile use. INVERCARGILL TO QUEENS TOWN. The matter of the completion of the road round Lake Wakatipu from Kingston to Queenstown was discussed at a recent meeting of the Southland Motor Cycle Club, and it was decided to communicate with the Public Works Department and urge the early (Completion of this -highway. Members who had inspected the northern portion of the road during the Easter holidays spoke of the great advantage of having the round trip and a direct route from Invercargill to Queenstown. The road runs right under the Rcmarkables, and, in addition to its commercial value, the completed stretch along the shore of the lake will be a great scenic attraction. AN OIL FRAUD. Dishonest oil vendors in the United States are making handsome profits and damaging valuable cars by selling discarded lubricant which has been filtered. At large service stations these dealers can buy up the oil drained from crankcases for a few cents a gallon, if it is not gratis for the carting. The black oil is then strained to restore it to reasonable clarity, and unsuspecting motorists believe that they are effecting economies by using the cheap product, which is then resold at some small stations. THE PETROL TAX. Motor spirit imported into New Zealand during the first two months of 1928 totalled 7.317,460 gallons, as compared with 7,9013280 gallons in the corresponding months of 1927. The importations for the two months of this year would provide about £121,950 in petrol taxes, but refunds in respect to fuel used in launches and farm machinery would reduce this by a small amount The Government also collected tax on a number of cargoes landed in December. . THE MOTOR REGISTER. Registrations of motor vehicles in New Zealand have now exceeded 175,000. At the beginning of March there were 174,322 vehicles on the register. This total was made up of 113,616 motor cars, 22,144 motor trucks and vans, 1156 omnibuses,

35,273 motor cycles, and 2133 ambulances, fire engines, tractors, and other vehicles of other types. Over 26,000 of the cars registered are in, the North and South Auckland highway districts. AUSTRALIAN BICYCLE RIDERS. Information has been received from the Dunlop Company, Paris, stating that the Australian team of cyclists who have gone to France to compete in the Tour- de France road race will be taken in hand immediately upon arrival at Paris, and that a manager has been specially engaged to look after them and their training during the whole of their visit. In addition, an interpreter has been provided by the Dunlop Company (Paris), who will be at the team’s disposal during the stay in France. Paris will be their training headquarters, where they will commence putting themselves into condition for the Paris-Tours event and also for the Tour de France. As the mountain passes are now snowbound, and are never open until towards the end of May or beginning of June, it gives the Australian riders very little time to acquaint themselves with these particular roads before the Tour de France starts; but it is hoped, however, that they will have an opportunity of seeing at least one of the mountain passes that they will have to cross during the race," even if they are not able to train in the mountains. The contest will be a very stiff proposition this year, especially as there are no days of rest between the 22 stages. The race starts on June 17, and the competitors have to ride one section (or stage) of the journey every day until July 15, when the race ends. The total distance to be covered is 3338 miles. The French cycle manufacturer whose machines they will ride is named Ravat. A cablegram has been received announcing the safe arrival in Paris of the Australian team on April 11. They were met at the station by representatives of the cycle trade and the newspapers.

FRANCIS BIRTLES. Francis Birtles the Australian overlander, who is motoring alone from England to Australia in a Dunlop-shod Bean car, has arrived at Rangoon (Burma). Mr Birtles left Calcutta on January 16, and proceeded through Assam, crossing the Naga hills. He had many trying experiences and adventures. There being no through road from Calcutta to Rangoon, he was often-forced to cut his way through heavy jungle. At one stage he was 2? days doing 36 miles. Birtles cut one of his arms in the jungle. He was without medical aid, and was exhausted and feverish when he arrived at Rangoon. Birtles is the first motorist to cross India and Burma by car. He will stay a week or so at Rangoon, and thence he will probably go on to Siam, whence, it is reported. he will proceed by steamer to Port Darwin. "ROUND AUSTRALIA” EXPEDITION. i The most thoroughly equipped motorexpedition yet organised to tour the Aus- , tralian continent left Melbourne on

Thursday afternoon, April 12. This “Round Australia” tour has been arranged by Mr Macßobertson, of Melbourne, to cover the whole of the coastal area of the Commonwealth. The transport consists of two four-ton, six-wheeled “ Karrier ” trucks (aptly named “ Burke ” a. ; J “ Wills ”) and a touring car fitted with table-top utility body, all shod with Dunlop tyres. The route to be taken will be westward through Adelaide. The tour is expected'to last five months.

The . personnel of the expedition includes Messrs W. Dunkerley (who is in charge), A. J. Dunkerley (driver), George Flynn (wireless expert), R. Ellis (mechanic), H. Barker (treasurer), V. Melrose, J. Howlett (cattle buyer), D. Oldmeadow (wholesale meat salesman), J. Simpson (driver and cook), K. Upton (woolelasser), and J. E. Lowe (surveyor) .

MODERN RACING. The international Grand Prix, which were once the pride and glory of France and other Continental countries, have of recent years suffered from such a decline that their total extinction does not seem very far off, states the Motor editorially. The French Grand Prix is not to be held this year on account of lack of entries. With the retirement from lacing of so many of the famous marques it is not unlikely that there will be insufficient entries for the British Grand Prix, which is this year the Grand Prix of Europe, and the one event in the series of international races which definitely must be held. Even this race, however, obviously cannot be run if there are insufficient entries.

The reason for the decay of racing for purely racing vehicles seems to lie in the fact that motorists now take a more intelligent interest in affairs of this nature than was previously the case. In the old days we were all thrilled by reports of the (then) fantastic speeds covered in road races, but now motorists realise that other things count ..besides sheer sped—for instance, reliability, durability, and economy. Racing, as such, is, however, a long way from being dead or even from dying, as is proved by the increasing interest taken in contests for fully equipped touring cars, such as the 24-hours’ race at Le Mans for the Rudge-Whitworth Cup, the Georges Boillot Cup race at Boulogne, and the race for touring ears which is likely to be held on the Newtownards circuit near Belfast this summer. The motoring public likes to feel that the thrilling struggles for supremacy which it witnesses in a road race are accomplished with cars similar in most respects to those commonly used on the road.

VETERAN CARS. The average life of a car in New Zealand is estimated at about 10 years. This does not mean that the majority of cars are owned by one motorist for that period. In the Dominion most cars change hands after three or four years, and when they become six or seven-years-old they often pass rapidly from garage to new owner, and then back to the used car showroom again. The high cost of cars in New Zealand is responsible for this extraction of the. last mile. In the United States scrapping after five years is popular, and the derelicts do not remain on the market to the same extent as in countries which do not produce. Although cheap cars do not enjoy very long lives in Europe, the higher-priced type are run for periods which would surprise the American motorist, (statistics of the ears in regular service in France at the end of 1927 showed that one car 18| years old was still running. Two had 174 years to their credit, and six had been 16| years on the road. No fewer than 45 were 154 years old, and 140 had been in operation for 144 years. Thes figures do not include the hundreds of old cars which lie about in garages, and occasionally make a short run for advertising purposes. A Rumanian prince recently reported that his car was still running after 20 years. It had covered 155,000 miles, pnncijiaHjL in the Alps. A taxi built in 1909 is still running in Genoa after 320,000 miles. NEW REGULATIONS. The Radiator, in view - -of many questions that have been raised as to the interpretation of the new regulations, publishes the following notes: — —Brakes.— In regard to brakes, the regulations prescribe that each motor car must be fitted with two independent brakes. An independent brake is defined as a brake of which the entire operating mechanism or system is either (a) distinct aud separate from all parts of any other brake or brake system so that tire brake in question cannot be adversely affect-

ed by the operation or failure of any other brake, or (b) common to any other brake or brake system only in parts or connections which are of such design and strength that there is no reasonable probability of failure of the independent brake by reason of the failure of any other brake or brake system. On inquiry from the Government Department the regulations as to who was to decide whether parts common to two brakes were of. sufficient strength according to the regulations, we were told that so long as the motor importers had no doubt as to the strength of such parts that is all that.is necessary. It appears, therefore, that there is no need to worry about brake construction at the present time, but it is necessary that brakes are maintained in good order, so that the test of stop ability set up in the regulations may be complied with. —Headlights.— The regulations require that every headlight attached to a motor vehicle shall be so focussed and adjusted that when the vehicle is standing on a horizontal surface the main beam of light is not projected to a height which at a distance of 75ft from the lamp is more than 3ft 6in above such horizontal surface. It xyill be found that the headlights on most cars are out of focus, and also out of adjustment. With the average car it is not difficult to correct these faults and make the lights comply with the regulations.

—Tail Light. Every motor vehicle must be equ'pped with a tail light which must be att! ched at the rear of the car and at or •'icar the right-hand side. Many cars have the tail lights in the centre, and some on the left side. Under the regulations il is necessary for all to be altered to the right side, and as the rear number plate requires to be illuminated it will be necessary that this should be moved with the tail light. —Spotlights.— The regulation concerning spotlights prohibits the use of spotlights of which the main beams of light are capable of being raised at a distance of 75ft from the lamp more than 3ft 6in above the horizontal surface at any point in a line directly ahead of the vehicle or within an arc of 45deg on either side of such line. Very few spotlights at present in use comply with the regulation. When it is necessary to make some addition or alteration to a • car to make it comply with the regulations, the owner is given until June 1, 1928, to have such alterations made. —Left-hand Drive.—■

The use of a motor vehicle with steering wheel on the left side is forbidden by the regulations, unless such vehicle was registered before March 31, 1928. Special exemption is provided for persons not domiciled in New Zealand bringing left-hand drive cars for use during their stay in this country. In such cases special permission to use such car may be obtained from the Undersecretary of Public Works. It will be seen from the above that quite a number of minor alterations will be required to bring many motor vehicles Into compliance with the regulations, and it should be the object of every garage proprietor to notify his clients what is required in respect to their ears. M torists will appreciate this service, and will gladly pay any reasonable charge which is necessary. A close studj- of the regulations by every motor trader will be to his advantage.

FRANK LOCKHART KILLED. ] NEW YORK, April 25. ’ A message from Daytona states that Flank Lockhart was killed when his ' automobile upset while travelling at 200 miles an hour in an effort to break the speed record. Lockhart was recently in- I jured in the same manner and had only i just left hospital, with one hand partially incapacitated. After Captain Malcolm Campbell had made his record-breaking run at Daytona Beach on February 19 —206.96 miles per hour—be drove his car back to the pit being greeted by loud cheers from the grand stand. Mr Frank Lockhart (the American driver who was later to try to establish a record in his 400 h.p.

Stutz Black Hawk) was the first person to rush up and congratulate his daring British rival, and for almost an hour Captain Campbell and his machine were surrounded by thousands of admirers eager to greet him. Shortly after Captain Campbell had made his great run, Mr Frank Lockhart brought out his car, and in two trials (one before and one against the wind) got up to 181 miles an hour. The condition of the beach was unfavourable for any further attempts that day (Tuesday). On the following day (Wednesday) Mr Lockhart made his attempt to beat Campbell’s record, and, while travelling at terrific speed, the car ran out of

a patch of sunshine into a mist, which made visibility bad. The car was seen suddenly to scmersault in the air and disappeared into the sea. Estimates of his speed at the time of the accident put it at 225 m.p.h. Spectators who saw the small car suddenly swerve out of central and somersault into the sea, when the driver had apparently meant to dodge a wave which rolled over the course, considered it nothing short of a miracle that Lockhart was not killed in the crash or drowned before the rescuers could reach him, as the waves broke over his head. He made the attempt to break the record, his backers say, against his better judgment in response to the insistent shouts of several thousand spectators for “ action.” There had been a heavy shower just before, and visibility was poor because of overhanging clouds. The diminutive motor car plunged about 40ft into the breakers before it came to a stop, a mass of wreckage. Hitting the waves, the car bounded entirely off the water and landed upright. Scores of spectators waded out into the sea up to their necks and dragged the car out. Lockhart’s feet were pinned by the side of the car, which had been smashed in. and it was necessary to obtain steel drills to cut away the metal before he could be removed.