UP-TO-DATE GARAGE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19555, 10 February 1938, Page 18

UP-TO-DATE GARAGE

H.S. MOTORS' PREMISES

MODERN EQUIPMENT RECENT IMPROVEMENTS It is not generally recognised that, behind the modern facade of H.S. Motors' Garage, Gisborne, lies equipment and organisation which ranks equal with the besr equipped and most up-to-date garages in New Zealand. '

Built up from year to year on progressive lines as requirements have made it necessary, the plant has been changed and scrapped for the introduction of more modern appliances, until to-day the equipment available for the servicing of cars and trucks includes much that is to, be found only in a few garages in this country.

Alterations have been completed to the front portion of the building, which has been completely remodelled and brought into line with the proven type of most efficient lay-out. Island bowsers have been established, and an exclusive feature is the installation of three air balances, which accurately check tyre inflation. and enable the motorist to see the pressure placed in the tyre without having to leave the seat of his car. Comfortable quarters for the office staff, and a rest-room for the convenience of patrons have been provided. The furnishings, without being ornate, present a dignified appearance in keeping with the sound policy of this firm. The exits and. entrances to the main garage provide easy access and do not clash with traffic using the bowser portion of • the building.

High Standard of Servicing

An inspection of the technic.il machinery which the large building houses reveals a great amount of valuable up-to-date plant without which a modern garage cannot quickly and efficiently provide the high standard of servicing which the motorist of to-day demands. A Weaver headlight testing machine. one of the few in use in New Zealand, is the latest in providing motorists with accurate headlight adjustment. It shows .immediately exactly how the light beam falls on the road and enables the operator to adjust the headlights so that the motorist leaves the garage with the lamps giving the best light possible.

In the greasing section, a complete filing system of all cars handled is maintained, and a record kept of t car's future requirements. From time to time the owner is notified that certain attention is necessary and in this way is enabled to keep the car at maximum efficiency and obviate unnecessary repair bills, which arc often caused through forgetting tc pay attention to minor servicing details.

The Machine Shop

The machine shop presents' an appearance of efficiency and cleanliness. The machines are placed on a plan which provides for their rapid and economical operation. They include a tungsten carbide jeboring machine, which, working at* very high speed, provides a fine finish to the cylinder walls. Honeing and polishing after reboring give a mirror-like finish and remove minute roughness which might tend to make other than a really perfect job. . The crank shaft regrinding machine is one of the few of such appliances in New Zealand and gives a finished job accurate to a quarter of onethousandth of an inch. This enables bearings to be bored out and fitted without any scraping. A wide range of dials and micrometer gauges is available for measuring and eliminates • as far as possible the human element in adjustments—a matter which is important for the efficiency of an engine.

Gear-Cutting and Piston-Grinding

An up-to-date universal gear-cutting machine enables all classes of gears to be supplied. An oil fired casehardened furnace provides v for the correct tempering of metals. One difficulty experienced by motorists who retain old vehicles is the obtaining of spare parts, and this H.S. Motors, Limited, has largely been able to provide for in the case of gears. The latest modern method of connecting rod and main bearing remetalling has been adopted, which overcomes the metal shrinkage which manufacturers have been careful to eliminate.

The cam ground piston-grinding machine provides motorists with facilities for obtaining pistons which accurately fit the cylinders. The electrical and battery department is under the charge of a certified electrician and contains a comprehensive range of technical equipment, enabling the rapid detection of any fault lin one of the many electrical parts of a motor car.

A power washing machine and vacuum cleaner takes care of the laundry side, doing a quick and good job.

With the plant and the expert staff, it is not remarkable that H.S. Motors. Limited, has gained a wide reputation for efficient repair -work, and the workshop lists show that engines have been sent for the garage to overhaul from many toWns far away > from Gisborne. Experts in Charge One of the principal features of H.S. Motors, Limited, is that each department is under the charge of an expert, highly certified in his own branch of the motor industry. Being all under one roof, these experts are readily accessible for dealing with the many intricate problems which arise in the course of the servicing of motor vehicles. This factor, it is claimed, cannot be over-emphasised when one realises the following points: An electrician, for instance, cannot be expected to diagnose a mechanical fault, or a mechanic to repair an obscure electrical defect, so, by having a team of fully qualified specialists available in close proximity to one another, unnecessary expenditure and waste of time can be saved.

Realising that time is money, an innovation to Gisborne is the loud speaker sound system, enabling messages and information to be instantly conveyed to the heads of various departments without delay. Mechanics are obliged to attend the firm's night school, which is held every week. This ensures that all the operatives are well-posted in the latest methods of repair work, and that every job which leaves the garage is executed in that high standard of efficiency for which H.S. Motors, Limited, is proud.