MOTOR NOTES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18661, 22 March 1935, Page 12

MOTOR NOTES

Views of American Expert On the Future of Car Design

MANY extravagant prophecies have been made concerning the future design oi' cars, and sonic critics, it has boon pointed out, arc too prone to pay attention only to'reports of new discoveries and scientific experiments, without weighing' in the balance most cogent commercial and financial factors. Those controlling the large car factories of the world have naturally to give close heed to the amount of money sunk in 'existing enterprises, the stability of public demand, anil'the probable cost of introducing some new design, which might, so far as immediate sales were concerned, "misfire."

When, however, a forecast is made by an eminent expert, who is fully conversant with the problems of engineering and of the market, his views deserve special consideration. Recently the president of the American .Society of Automotive Engineers, Mr. \V. B. Stout, delivered an address before some 800 members of that body, in which he dealt with the future of the automobile, a subject on which he is well qualified to speak from both technical and commercial standpoints. He expressed the opinion that in view of the progress which continues and all that is being added to the sum of human knowledge, a majority of things mechanical are tending to become out of date, and must be replaced with more and more frequency. That development was most pronounced' in the engineering field, where devices and designs became obsolete with disconcerting rapidity. Speaking of the automobile, this authority said that the most pressing problem of ear manufacturers was ingenuity. Standardised cars had become so similar that competition in trade had led to price-cutting, which eventually would react to the <• detriment of the industry as a whole. Therefore, the next obvious step would' be the evolution of a new vehicle, for the creation of which there was abundant scientific justification. Aq Ultra-Modern Car.

Such an ultra-modern car, he said, should be "obvious" in appearance, so that the man in the street would at once appreciate the reasons for the design adopted, and should be made lighter than existing models. With a reduction in weight, it was thought that tyre diameters would be increased and inflation pressures reduced, with a consequent minimising of road shocks. Running boards are belittled by this critic as anachronisms, on the ground that although when chassis were much higher they were needed, they are quite superfluous in tlfe latest, low-built machines, and merely add to the total weight aud cost of the car. There has always beou a strong conflict of opinion between experts as to what is the ideal position for the engine. Mr. Stout, it is reported, favors a rear mounting. That 'view is advocated by him on the ground that the steering of motor vehicles too often involves an avoidable effort, in that when the engine is at front every time the driver turns the steering wheel he has. in effect to turn the weight of .the engine. He believe* that the best solution is to put more weight at the back of the chassis, where the road shocks on the rear wheels are almost vertical, and consequently a good load is called for to absorb "the kick of the heavy axlo bobbing up and down." Use of Rear-Engines.

It might be recalled that a number of rear-engined ears have from time to time been put on the market, and .several types of that make have met with .success on the Continent, a notable example being the powerful Auto-Union competition model, in which German drivers have won many contests. The authority quoted believes that by the use of rear-engines not, only would much greater passenger space be made available, hut there would be -easier riding and better traction. Stress was also liiifl by him on the facilities which such a situation of the engine gave the fitting of bodies having a low wind-resistance, but it was admitted that certain difficulties in respect of general requirements regarding the size of windows, doors, and road wheels would have to lie surmounted'. Nevertheless, it was asserted that those manufacturers who were first in the field with a happy compromise of design on the general lines suggested would find that a very gratifying demand existed for such products. Petrol Consumption

ALTHOUGH everybody is aware that huge quantities of petrol are consumed each year in the cars and trucks of the world, the following statistics issued from a dependable -source are amazing. It is shown that in 1934 the world's consumption of petrol was almost as great as that of the peak year. 1020, when petroleum products and related .fuels were used to the extent of 1,438,000,000 barrels. The barrel contains some 42 gallons, and ii was estimated that t.he United States supplied more than <>o percent, of the world's requirements. The revival in motoring is reflected in the increased petrol consumption in 1934 compared with that of 1033. In the United States the gain is said to have been 4 per cent.; in Great Britain 10 per cent.; France. 5 per cent.; Canada, S per cent.; and Gei" inauv 13 per cent. The enormous volume of trade in petroleum fuels will be appreciated fiom the fact thai Great Britain uses about 100,000,000 gallons a month. ~.,,1 the United Stales almost fourteen times that quantity. The statement r.Ms: "The peak v'oar iu Australia toi ~-,,,! -,.,„.,•!- was 1930. when duty was paid on 360,000.000 gallons, a fair v., u'm. ot whi'-.'i probably w-ent into ~-,,.,,,,. Bv '032 tie figures had fironwd to 224.500.000 gallons, and' deP? , n,-.h,r in lOrci to 180,966,000 srallons. With the increase ol cars , ~,'..■,., .ii>"v:ee u-i Australian '■'•... 'ln-' last year probably exceeded 200,000,000 gallons.

Roadside Breakdowns And Avoidance of Irritating Delays

MOST wayside motoring troubles are trivial, and can be prevented by a little forethought; yet such an aphorism is not much consolation .to the driver who, on a wet night, must alight and risk hisevening clothes when wrestling with a punctured tyre or an obstinate ignition circuit. ' An excellent plan is to supplement the outfit supplied with the car by a few items such as a "magneto" file, wire pliers, friction tape, and spare lamp bulbs. Furthermore, bear in mind that fumbling' in the dark does not make for a good and quick repair or wheel change, so that unless a spotlight; with an extension cord, is provided, a small electric torch should always be carried in one of the side pockets. Wheel or tyre changing is at best an unpleasant task, but its unpleasantness will be softened if the lifting jack and tyre pump are kept in good order and a few chocks .of wood are carried so that there need be no fumbling and fiddling when a puncture must be attended to. Similarly, the careful owner will keep a wary eye on the condition of his tyres, and note if any casing is, slowly losing its inflation because of a pin prick puncture, leaking valve or porous inner tube.

Do not omit to drain and clean all filters in the petrol line periodically; remember that the high tension leads of the ignition coil and spark plugs become perished, and their insulation •uffers after prolonged use, and that in the fulness of time the spark plugs must be renewed or at least cleaned and adjusted. Likewise, the battery and the contact breaker points must not be forgotten. Keep the battery well charged, and "topped-up," and its terminals clean and, say, every month, look to the breaker points of the distributor, which may need to be readjusted or '' dressed. ; '* __