The Motor World

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17410, 12 December 1924, Page 13

The Motor World

NOTES AND NEWS BY

" RADIATOR ”

ENGINE EFFICIENCY. DEVELOPMENT IN GREAT BRITAIN. CHRISTCHURCH TRADER’S VISIT ’I he motor building industry in Great Britain to-day is in a thriving state, despite the dropping of the Ax Jvenna duties and tile consequent reduction in prices or foreign cars. Such is the state of affairs in the opinion of Mr A. E. Smith, of Smith's -Motors ,Ltd., who returned last week from a visit to America and Great Britain. “Despite expectations, the dropping of the M’ Ken mi duties did not increase the sale, of foreign cars, said Mr Srnitn. ** The British public seemeu to realise that it was a great smack a: the British manufacturers and the result is that the sales of foreign cars har* appreciably dropped. The British manufacturers do not expect the MK entia duties u> be. re-imposed, nnd they are content to let it go at that." Trade in England is extraordinarily good at present, added Mr Smith. Practically every factory of note is working full time and in some, instances* orders are booked up for nine months abend. The leading manufacturers aie devoting j.hemsclves to the smaller type of high s|>eed super-efficient engine. The result is that an engiuo «.f a. given size which, a. year or two ago would develop, say. 30 h.p.. is now developing over flO li.p. T lie. result is that. the. public is now being supplied u ith engines of small size* which develop speed, and retain that, speed by the hour, far in excess of that, of imported cars. British design is also tending towards the overhead valve engine. The system that, is being developed by British manufacturers, said Mr Smitli, is totally different to that which is seen on American cars. Efficiency is the main feature about these small engines, added the speaker, petrol . consumption has been reduced and an even pull has been given to the high speed engines. This , all tend* to reduce the wear on the chassis and vhc tyres.

“ \Yh:it about superchargers? Are they going to be used on ordinary cars?" Mr Smith was asked.

“Superchargers are being thoroughly tested by many factories and quite a number have been successful,” was his answer '* Owing to the tremendous ir.crenso in power that the superchargers are giving.” ho added. “it will bo necessary to completely i*e design the engines. Larger bearing surfaces and stronger connecting rods will he required.” Referring again to efficiency of the new engines, Mr Smith said* that an engine of 12 h.p. R.A.O. rating was capable of developing over TOO miles an hour, stripped for racing. The high speed of the engines also gives a very high bill climbing speed and on second or third gear, the now cars can climb hills at thirty to forty miles an hour, as compared with the same engines of a. year ago. which could climb hills at a maximum speed of only ten to fifteen miles an honr. COLONIAL MODELS

Jhe British manufacturer is now fully alive to the export trade, he added. V considerable number of makers are now manufacturing models which will lie eminently suitable for colonial conditions. These* models hav-* a high clearance, a full track, and will withstand - rough usage. Some makers have gone further, and have built !itn<lds with only three sizes of bolts rsc-d in the whole constructions. On those, every spring shackle is inter-

changeable, and accessibility has been studied to such a degree that repairs can be effected in a minimum space of time. AM ERIC A X CONDIT TO NS. Speaking on conditions in the United States. Air Smith said that the full extent of the motor industry in the States was realised in New Zealand. In the city ot Los Angeles, the ratio of cars to the population was one to every three inhabitants. Traffic control was a serious problem, and accidents were of common occurrence Parking on the angle was the rule m all American cities. As a guide to drivers. broad white lines had been painted down the centre of the leading streets in some of the cities. The speed limits in the American cities were high, but the police exercised good control, and stoppages were every bit as bad as in London. Ha*, motor industry in America was suffering from the effect of last year's over-production, and some of the smaliei* companies were being hard put to koep going. ACROSS AUSTRALIA. BIRTLE’S GREAT DRIVE. DARWIN TO ADELAIDE. To Francis Bi r ties, over-landing cyclist and ruoT-ofist.. now belongs one nf the finest achievements in the history of motoring in Australia. When Birtles set, out to drive from ocean to ocean Darwin to Adelaide (1995 miles) in ten day, there were a lot of sceptics amongst motorists in this country. for this trans-continental route for years past always been painted with everything that was bad and detrimental to motoring ; yet Birtles conies through in nine days, nine hours, fifteen minutes. Since the day when H. Dutton and Murray Aunger first took a Talbot across from Adelaide to Darwin in fifty-two days in 1908, there have probably not been more than two motorists who have accomplished the full trip from ocean to ocean. Many have driven over the 1200 miles stage between the railheads at Oodnadatta and Katherine, thus avoiding the sandy country on the Ma-roo-Oodnatta stretch, and the rough overgrown and little used track between Katherine and Darwin (230 miles), motorists railing their cars over these two sections. Even then, throe or four weeks was usually taken by motorists between railheads. Birtles took five days, five hours, ten minan astounding performance. Darwin was left by Birtles accompanied by K. G. Muller, of Brisbane, aboard an Oldsmobile six shod v%-i t!« Dunlop Balloon tyres on Tuesday. November 18, at 5 a m., and, drivjng the best part of twenty out. of every twenty-four hours, be reached Adelaide at 2 15 p.m. on Thursday, November 27. He took fifty-one hours, forty minutes to reach the Northern railhead at Katherine, and sixty eight hours twenty-five minutes for the last stage from Oodnadatta. to iho South Australian capital, Lack of proper rest and food naturally had its effect, on Birtles. even accustomed as he is to hardships in over-landing and hack country trips, and lie reached Adelaide a very tired man.

Boggy stretches and running. creeks more, than sand occasioned the chief rouble v.n route, owing to the recent rain along the track. Viewed from all angles, it is a wonderful performance lor Birtles and Jiis companion, the car and the tyres. Birtles is now

more convinced than ever that the j proposal of the Dunlop Rubber Company that it would he feasible | with proper organisation to conduct, a big automobile demonstration over this route, and that such a contest would do much towards further defining and improving this north-south trans-track. LONDON STREETS. N OX-SKID SU R V AC JES. Tn I/ondon. the authorities have found that the bitumen coated streets are a danger to motor traffic in wet weather, said Mr A. K. Smith, of Smith’s Motors Ltd., in conversation regarding bis trip to Great Britain. He said that when new roads are now laid down, they consist of a foundation of concrete, upon which is laid wooden blocks, the surface oj which is covered with tar and screenings. The tar used is not a coal product, hut is; the residue obtained from some of the oil refineries of the 1 nited States. The. effect of the screenings is give a practical non-skid surface and it Ts hoped that this will prevent traffic, accidents in wet weather. OVER THE HILL. PIONEER CLUB RUN. SATURDAY'S OX'TTNG. Most of those who took part in last Saturday's combined social run and reliability trial organised by the Pioneer Sports Club were surprised at the fine state of the road from Gover- i nor’s Bay to the Sign of the Takahe. Those who were expecting a rough journey did not have their expectations fulfilled, for the new surface on the road is a credit to the bodies concerned with its grading and levelling up. The run itself was most enjoyable. both from the social and sporting sides. The weather was all that could be desired, but the rain on the previous night had the effect of deterring a few members from entering for the reliability run. The outing saw the first appearance of the new Indian production, the Indian Prince. This little machine, which is rated at ! 2i h.p.. came through the test well. In appearance, it follows British practice a good deal, with the exception of twist grip controls, which have been in use by the American manufacturers for many years. The team of 1925 Harleys also proved themselves to be able to do all that the earlier models could do. A machine that is new t.o the New Zealand market appeared in the shape of the Dunelt. a two stroke machine of 3$ h.p. Tt was ridden as a combination outfit, having a. heavy twoseater side-car attached. Tn addition to the rider and the two passengers, an extra passenger was carried on the carrier, making a fairly substantial load for the machine. Tt did not qualify for a certificate, however, as it met with plug trouble coming up from Governor’s Bay. The popular captain of the club, Mr George Lambert, appeared on a 1925 Indian, fitted with balloon tyres. The tyres add to the appearance of the machine, and the rider speaks well of them. This machine, as did several of the Indian Scouts, qualified for a certificate. H. L. Dyer, on his Triumph sidecar outfit, also came through without any trouble, despite the fact that be had a stop to assist another rider who wanted the loan of a pump. A popular win was that of Mr A. Livesay for the side-car outfit in the best condition. For a comparatively old machine, lie brought his Royal Enfield outfit to the mark in a condition that made some of the riders of comparatively new machine* take notice. As is usual with Pioneer Club runs, the organisation was very complete, the secretary. Mr P. R. Harman, having everything ready when it was wanted. MAIN SOUTH ROAD. SIGN-POSTED TO BLUFF. SURF A ( E 1 X GOOD CO X DTTTON. Those who arc anticipating a Christmas tour will he pleased to bear that the Main South Road has now heen sign-posted from r.<eith field to the Bluff. This lias been done by the various associations throughout the island, and is a monument to the organisations cc neemed. The secretary of the Oa nterbuTwJ Automobile Association, Air J. S'-. Hawkes, said yesterday that the road was now in first class condition. Such a state can only '‘be brought, about, and retained by the motorists realising that their respective associations have t,5 keep regularly on the alert and keep reminding the local authorities concerned as to the repairs necessary. Therefore, the small annual subscription should be paid promptly so as to enable the associations to carry pi, with fhe good work. SOUTH ISLAND ROADS. The following road reports of the condition of the various main roads yesterday were received by Mr J. S. Hawkes. secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association CLARENCE RIVER The ferry is in working order. DYER’S PASS. The road is in good condition on the Governor’s Bay side, where the surface has been rolled. Between the tram terminus and the Kiwi it is now in first-class condition. SEIAYYN RIVER. The river is fordable at the Alain South Road and at Hororata BE A LEY FORD. The river is negotiable GOVERNOR'S HAY TO LYTTELTON. The road is in good condition. CHRISTCHURCH TO ‘/LYTTELTON VIA SUMNER. The surface 16 good, with the exception of the lower part, of the Evan's Pa«s Road on the Sumner side, which is very rough. SUMMIT ROAD. The road between Okains and Le Bon'r is closed. LITTLE RIVER. The road is fairly good all the way. LITTLE RIVER TO AKAROA. The rnetal surface has been blinded with clay, and all right in dry weather. Maix south road. The main roads. in the Ashburton. 1

County arc in good condition: both the Hinds Road and the Maronan Road are good for motorists. The notoriously bad stretch between DunsandeJ and Rakaia has been greatly improved. ra.n<tTTata to ttmart: The best route to follow at present is from Geraldine to Winchester, via Orarj. TTMARU TO OAMARU. The road is in good condition. CAMPING GULLY CREEK Tho concrete ford is still in good order. OAMARU TO DUNEDIN. The road is iri good condition as far as Palmerston, but from Kilrnog to Dunedin the surface is loose and the going rough. CfTRISTCHIRCH TO KATKOTTRA. The road is fairly good.