ITEMS OF INTEREST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 195, 18 August 1928, Page 21 (Supplement)

ITEMS OF INTEREST

ELEGANCE IN COACHWORK The Concours d’Elegance Will be held in Boulogne in September. Thia annual gathering attracts entries of British, Continental, and American cars of all and the awards are greatly coveted by body-builders. The cars are judged by a committee, and 50 points are allotted. Elegance of line can earn up to 20 points, comfort 20 points and ingenuity and originality in fittings and accessories, 10 points. The winning designs are studied by coachbuilders in all parts of the world, and the event stimulates competition and results in some worthy contributions to body-building. This year 22 body categories will be recognised. Fabric saloons and sports bodies arc expected to constitute a large section of the display. CARBON In a four-stroke engine of the usual type, running under average conditions, some of the carbon deposited within the engine is certainly derived from the fuel employed, it may come as a surprise to some motor-cyclists to learn that only a very small proportion of the carbon deposit is really due to the fuel when the latter consists of any ordinary brand of petrol. On the contrary, most of the carbon deposit in the engine is derived from the lubricating oil. OIL RADIATORS Oil radiators are now fitted as standard to three models, produced by a wellknown French firm. The radiators are similar in appearance to an ordinary tubular core, and they are set between the dumb irons immediately below the water radiator. They are about the same width as the bonnet, and the depth varies from 4in to Bin. The tubes are protected by a wire grid, and a three-way tap is fitted to the crankcase to permit cutting the radiator out of the lubrication system in cold weather. GERMANY BUYS MORE The official figures lately to hand show than no fewer than 897 foreign (including British) motor-cycles, of a value of £-10,850, were imported into Germany during the two months ending with February last, as compared with only 317 machines (£16,400) in the corresponding period a year ago. The export trade in German motor cycles is also steadily progressing, the two months’ shipments this, year being returned at 625 machines (£28,550), as against only 163 and £B.lOO respective ly in 1927. MOTORING OFFENCES The Royal Automobile Club of Great Britain has analysed many thousands of prosecutions coming under its .notice through the free legal defence service, and dangerous driving accounts for nearly one quarter of the offences. Speeding accounts for nearly another quarter. The exact, figures are:—Dangerous driving, 24.,3 per cent; speed limit, 23.83 per cent; obstruction, 16.4 per cent; lights, 14.62 per cent; silencers, 5.22 per cent; driving licenses, 5.04 per cent; car licenses, 3.84 per cent; parking regulations, 3.50 per cent; defective brakes, 1.56 per cent; obscured number plates, 0.83 per cent.; failing to give warning of approach, 0.46 per cent; failing to take proper precautions against the car being started in the absence of the driver, 0.17 per cent; not having proper control, 0.12 per cent; emitting smoke in royal parks, 0.049 per cent; obstructing police officer in the execution of his duty, 0.149 per cent 69 M.P.H. FOR 24 HOURS The 24-hour race for the Grand Prix d’Endurance and the Budge-Whitworth Cup, held at Le Mane, in June, resolved itself into a duel between a fourcylinder Bentley and a straight eight Stutz. British, American, French, and Italian cars, to the total of 33, started. It was interesting to observe that, five front-wheel driven cars, two Alvis and three Tractor, completed the race. When the 24 hours expired the Bentley had covered 1658 miles, an average of 69 m.p.h. The Stutz was second at 664 m.p.h. The next places were secured by Chrysler, 644 m.p.h.; Chrysler, 624 m.p.h.; Bentley, 604 m.p.h.; Alvis, 59 m.p.h.; 8.N.C., 58$ m.p.h.; Itala, 584 m.p.h.; Alvis, 58$ m.p.h.; Salmson, 57 m.p.h.; Lagonda, 56$ m.p.h. The next six in order were all Continental cars.