Bright Colours Are Promised for 1928 Models

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 260, 24 January 1928, Page 6

Bright Colours Are Promised for 1928 Models

Body Refinements Are Feature New York Salon

The New York Automobile Salon, for many years the arbiter of motor fashions in America, has just closed its doors on the 23rd annual exhibition. The ideas revealed at this salon will become standard practice with all motorcar manufacturers within a few months. Let it be said at the outset that new luxuries in body fittings, rather than in the mechanical side, strike the keynote for 1928. Bold colours and new colour combinations are very much in evidence, and the leading American coachbuilders have produced bodies on European lines. Twenty-five per cent, of the cars exhibited had "all-weather” and collapsible tops (known in England as Sunshine Saloons) and in many cases molding treatment is along unconventional lines. Over 90 cars were exhibited, including chasses from 5 different countries in the Mercedes, Minerva, Rolls-Royce, Renault and Isotta-Fraschini. American chasses on display included Cadillac, Chrysler, "Franklyn, La Salle, Lincoln, Packard, Pierce-Arrow, StearnsKnight, Stutz and Cunningham. Improvements noted included provision of doors or half-doors to dickey seats in roadsters, fitting with arm-rests in rear seat, adjustable seats, closed cars for women, upholstered in embroidered whipcords and broadcloth, a noticeable trend in closed cars to extreme lowness of roof without sacrificing headroom and bodyroom, and, finally, the most riotous freedom in the use of colours ever known before in American cars, together with a great increase in the use of lively new colours. There was also a vast improvement in harmony between exterior and interior colours, upholsteries, fittings, panelling and dashboard decorations. The Salon, devoted almost exclusively to beauty, gives a very clear indication of what our standard cars will be like a year or two hence.

ACTIVITIES WEEK BY WEEK A comprehensive scheme of signposting is being prepared by the service department, and will be completed as soon as the new staff can cope with the work. Where special attention has been paid in the past to directions to towns and villages, particular interest can now be made to notifying dangerous bends and deviations, etc. Also more signs will be erected in the vicinity of Auckland, and the western beach resorts. • • 0 ■ Many members of the association on returning from their holiday trip have handed to the service officer details of side trips they have made. All of these will be investigated before long and made available to members. SIGNPOST HEIGHTS. „- Lo 'y er signposts were advocated by Mr. G. Henning at the meeting of the A.A.A. council this week. The .suggestion is interesting in view of the tendency overseas tc ttt signposts as low as 3ft and 4ft fr\ m hte ground. The advantage is that there is better vision at night. If headlights are adjusted in accordance with the by-laws but little illumination will reach a post 7ft above ground at a distance of 20yds or 30yds. On the other hand the low signpost is likely to be damaged by vandals. There have been many instances of interference with the excellent sign-posting of *'“ e -A..A.A., although most signs are out of reach.. For some time past, however, the association has been endeavouring to educate the public to lower signposts, and in fact has been gradually lowering the height. About two miles out of Hamilton on the way to Cambridge there is a signpost 3ft in height. Many inquiries have been made for the association’s booklet on the local motor by-laws but this is now out of print. A new booklet has already been prepared but is at present awaiting the gazetting of the new Government regulations. • * . The A.A.A. has decided to investigate a complaint that the costs which a convicted motorist is compelled to pay include 3s 6d for the appearance of the constable who laid the complaint. Thy view taken by the association is that the constable appears in court as a part of his duty and that no charge should be made for unwelcome services. It is contended that the fine should cover the expenses of these official witnesses. * • * Within the next three months the A.A.A. will consider the appointment of an advisory mechanical engineer at a salary of about £350 a year. It is hoped to inaugurate this service for the assistance of members of the association who are faced with problems in the operation of their cars • • • No time will be lost in going ahead with the motor-cycle patrols authorised at the last meeting. Applications for the positions close at the end of this months, and the patrols will be on the road as soon as the equipment can be obtained. * * * SANITARY ARRANGEMENTS INADEQUATE Camping grounds throughout New Zealand have been in greater demand during the past few weeks than ever before. Camping areas originally laid out to accommodate 20 cars have on demand sheltered 40 or more for the night, and the sanitary conveniences have been sadly overtaxed. This will have to be seen to before next camping season comes round again, but in one case, representations have already been made to the proper quarter. A deputation representing interests at Muriwai waited on the Minister last week, and this was one of the needs put before him.