The Record of the Same.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 10, 1 August 1907, Page 363

The Record of the Same.

July 31st. — Glasgow to Carlisle Non-stop — b5 miles. Aug. Ist. — Carlisle to Chester. Non-stop. — 137^ miles. Aug. 2nd — Chester to Hereford Burst tyre. One stop. 94 miles. Aug. 3rd — Herefordto Exeter. Burst tyre, one stop. — 142| miles. Aug. 4th — Exeter to Fowey. Non-stop. — 74 miles. Aug. sth to Aug. 31st. — In one of the hilhest parts of Cornwall, touring from Fowey as centre One gear box stop, one loose wire stop — 532 miles.

" Sept. Ist. — Fowey to Bideford, Westward Ho. and Barnstable. Stops owing I , to seventy of gradients , shed '^passengers, chocked wheels, raced engine, and banged m clutch. No other compulsory stops. — 91 miles. l-^r Sept 2nd. — Barnstaple to Bath. Non-stop. — 100 miles. Sept 3rd. — Bath to London. Nou-stop. — 108 miles. Sept 4th to Sept. 6th. — Car not used. Accumulators charged, tyres changed, no other adjustments. Sept. 7th. — London to Grantham. Loose wire, One stop. — 110 miles. Sept. Bth — Grantham to Darlington. Puncture, several stops to inflate, and finally tube changed. — 120 miles. |* Sept. 9th. — Darlington to Dumfries, via Barnard Castle, Brough, Pennth, and Carlisle. i^Loose wire finally adjusted. One stop. — 106 miles. Sept. 10th. — Dumfries to Glasgow. Puncture. One stop. — 80 miles. Total number of miles, 1,795. Average speed (stops excluded) Glasgow to Fowey 16.1 m p.h. (no acetylene lamps). Average speed Fowey to London, not taken (no acetylene lamps). Average speed London to Glasgow, 17 5 m.p.h. (no acetylene lamps). Mileage per gallon of petrol, approximately 29. There was thus only one mechanical stop of any consequence in about 1,800 miles running, of which 548, 300, and 416 were continuous day-after-day journeys. This one breakdown was due to tilting over the washer between crankshaft and gear box shaft, thus disengaging the clutch. Further, between July 12th and 19th the car had done a nonstop trip (tyre trouble and loose switch excluded) in the highlands, extending to 464 miles, only ordinary adjustments like valve grinding being done between this and the start of the long trip. Some days after returning from London, and without any adjustment beyond ordmary oiling and greasing and one tyre change, the car took four people a non-stop run of 136 miles at 18.8 miles per hour, and did 32 miles to the gallon of petrol. How the tyres and the transmission mechanism stood the stram Ijwas obliged to put upon them to get up certain Cornish hills I cannot imagine. At least six times it was necessary to race the engine at its hardest and let in the clutch m the most heartbreaking style. I am inclined to think that this record, taking into account the size of the car and the gear racking work performed in Devon and Cornwall will take some beating on the score of reliability, even in the matter of speed, when it is remembered that time lost over wrong turnings, asking the road, and all such minor delays, is counted in the running time, and that a good many hours of driving were after dark and with only paraffin side lamps, the average for the South and North journeys is very fair. i- Ifhave absolutely no interest in the Darracq Co., and while by no means considering that my car is faultless.Tas so many writers consider their cars, I think"my journeying is a proof of more than average merit in a small car set to do heavy touring work over all roads and in all weathers. E.T.

A Company is being formed for the purpose of erecting a first-class motor garage on Ivambton quay, Wellington. The building will have four stories and basement with showrooms on the ground floor. In addition, the usual appurtenances of a garage will be provided for, such as repair shop, social rooms, and ladies and gentlemen's retiring rooms. The architect, we understand, is Mr. Wiliiam Turnbull.