THE PETROL TRAIL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 83, 17 March 1931, Page 3

THE PETROL TRAIL

Calcutta's Largest The largest bus to be passed by the police authorities of Calcutta is; a 70seater double-decker Commer, which is being used for unlive passenger work. Berlir Show The Berlin Motor Show has definitely been fixed for February 19 to Marc!! 1. The exhibition is open not only to private cars but also to commercial vehicles.

Royai Cars Din-ins their official visit to Buenos Ayres, the Prince of Wales and Prince George will use a fleet of four I-lumber "Snipes." Three are saloons and one is a "Pullman" limousine. Any Pioneers? Round the world trips of motor cycles, sidecar outfits, cars and even loi ries have of late attracted no little interest; so far, however, no adventurous person has essayed the trip in a .three-wheeler. Who will be the first: For Le Mans II is officially announced that an official Bugatti team will compete at Le Mans this year. The drivers will be Divo, Chiron, Varzi, Bourlat and Conelli. Except for Conelli, these drivers will form the Bugattl racingteam for 1931. There will be iio official Bentley team this year.

After 34 years After 31 years' use the name of the Triumph Cycle Company, Ltd., was changed to the Triumph Company, Ltd., at the annual general meeting in Coventry in mail week. This step was decided upon in view of the everwidening interests of this famous concern, and particularly its expansion in the field of motor-car manufacture.

Another British World Record Willi the capture by Great Britain from Italy of the world's speed record for outboard motor boats at 51.98 m.p.h. (subject to confirmation), England now holds practically all the records obtainable with an ihternalcombustion engine. These include (he fastest speed by motor-car, threewhoolor, motor-cycle, seaplane and inboard motor-boat. The new record was made recently by C. H. Harrison a!. Ocwos, using a 973 o.e. four-cylin-der Rlio engine, developing 45 b.p.h. at 5,000 r.p.m., and a 12ft. hydropldjie. li. is interesting to note that, the w< ight nf the complete outfit, which was perfectly standard in every.way, is 2501 b., whilst the pi ice is £135. The only fact that detracts from the importance of this as a British record is'that the engine is of American manufacture.

Big Figures ".. : . , . , The motor spirit trade of Great. Britain has increased from gallons in 1924 to 950,000,000 gallons of petroleum in 1930. Fines at Bargain Rates Here are some of the lines inflicted recently at the Cannes . Police Court (the French franc at the present, rate of exchange is worth ~about twopence) : Exceeding speed limit, 6 frs; open exhaust, .5 frs; no driving license, sfrs; lights out, 3 frs;. no driving mirror, 2 frs; against one-way traffic, 3 frs; failure to sound horn, 3 frs; obstructing traffic, 2 frs. Germany Wants Protection . The German Society of Motor Manufacturers has, at its 29th annual meeting, decided that protection of the automotive market in Germany is essential, owing to the fact that production of private cars is down by 10 per tent., commercial vehicles by ■ll per cent., and motor-cycles by 43 per cent.

Road Visibility At a recent meeting of the Devon County Council a member suggested that: a certain sum should be. set aside for improving visibility on the roads. He said that however narrow the road or however bad the surface, a road was not dangerous if there were, good visibility. The suggestion is to be consideerd.

Dublin Joy Riders ', • . • An epidemic of ; "joy riding" has broken out in Dublin. In 90 per cent, of the cases the "joy riders" are not brought to book, but this is not the fault, of the Civic Guards, as notification is rarely received until three or four hours after the theft, and by that time the cars are outside the city boundaries. ■

Defective Cars During the course of the Johannesburg Safety First Conference, Mr. W. Fearrihead said that 15 per cent, of motor accidents had been found to be due'to some fault in the vehicle itself. Of the vehicles examined 24 to 25 per cent, had been found to have defective brakes, and 13 to 25 per cent, had faulty lights. These facts justified periodic examination. . ... , Half a Million i'n Duty The number of touring cars imported complete into England which were retained for home' use, in, the , year ended March 31 last, was 10,500, and the total duty paid' in respect, of them was £578,513, an average of £57 a car. ' The actual amount of duty varies, of course, according to the value of the car, \i\ each c&se'. ..' ,Ji ■