MOTOR NOTES

Wairarapa Age, 22 December 1919, Page 6

MOTOR NOTES

Owing to the high price of cotton, plus the increased cost of -labour, it is anticipated that many of the English motor tyro concerns will have to raise the price for covers. Already, a few makers have announced at 10 per cent. rise. The adoption of tho 28in. by 3in. wheel for high-power motor-cycles has certainly been attended by good results, and where roads arc not good or machines havo to be driven over , very irregular surfaces, an ample crank case clearance is a boon. In this country the need of such is keenly . felt. The mischief is, however, that so many people making or possessing ; such machines aro apt to nullify the advantages thereof to some extent by fitting low built sidecars, and tho driver, conscious of tho fact that tho crank-case clears the ground by Sin. ; or more, thinks he can steer any f course ho likes on the worst of roads ! or tracks. Many nasty hits havo been ! registered in this way, tho sidecar , chassis in some cases sustaining severe damage. If we aro to have big clearI aneo for the engine, then, to be logical, tho whole turnous must be built iiigher from the ground. ' The entry of American cars, says 1 an English, writer, # will do much to stabilise the British, motor industry. It is bound to bring about a lowering 5 of prices which will make itself notice- !. able far boyond motoring circles. Even 5 the threat of the American invasion ' will produce its effect over here, for 5 manufacturers will know that if they 5 fix their prices too high, the prospec- ) tive purchaser will prefer to wait for > an American car. Wo know, however, ) that tho United States is suffering 6 from a shortage of cars, so that tho ) number able to be spared for exporta- ) tion must be very limited. Moreover, - prices havo advanced in the States, 1 and cargo space is scarce. For p example, at present the list price asked in England for a certain representative American car of 1919 is £475, wlierens r tho same make of car of slightly higher power in 1914 was sold hero for £275. The additional £2OO asked for the post- ' war car includes more than import duty and freight. 3 .. « " ™