MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 275, 9 August 1918, Page 9

MOTORS AND MOTORING

(By "Clutch.")

Post-war Prospects. Tho "Auto-Car" has been circularising the British car manufacturers concerning their preparations and plans for postwar business. The response -was satisfactory. Tho probable post-war requirements will bo for a low-priced four or iive-seat'er car in which the proportion of power to weight will bo greater than was usual before the war. It will need also to be a better hill-climber, more economical in f,uel, lighter on tyres, better sprung, and more accessible. Bodies will probably bo standardised. For overseas requirements it will be absolutely necessary to consult local conditions. Tho car will have to be very robust, so as ta be able to traverse the rough country without breakages, and nlso must havo adequate ground clearance.. The gear ratio also mu6t bo lower, and the cooling morn efficient. The "Aub-cor" believes that the British, manufacturers are fully alive to the post-war requirements of British and colonial buyers. Amongst other points which iv'll have to bo considered will be provision for .dealing with heavy fuel ana much bctfer suspension. Motor-Cycle Engines; Which is to be the dominant type of motor-cycle engines? One needs tut to recall tho incessant outcry against the single-cylinder, and oven more recent disparaging remarks of the V-twin, and tho meticulous advocacy of the flat twin to realise how uncertain tho oatlook really is. Belt-drive is waning in popularity, and apparently must eventually succumb before the universal .adoption of the chain or shaft—which? 'ihen thero aro single-lover and two-lever Sinnautomatic carburettors, each challenging the other; and even the tried and proved magneto is sought to be set aside for another type of ignition, only to emerge, later, perhaps, in an improved form, j Prejudice and conservatism aro deeply ingrained in most Britishers, and may hold back, many improvements for a time; and as motor-cyclists as a cla6s aro more mechanically inclined than -were car-users in tho evolutionary, stages, and, consequently, may hold.the opinion that "improvement" sometimes spells deterioration, thoy aro more content to leave well alone. Facts, however are the best antidote to prejudice; and when somo of the "remarkable developments" and "wonderful improvements" materialise after peace is declared wo shall be able to 6hake ourselves free, and allow our nerves to vibrate with all of the oldtime enthusiasm in the enjoyment of tho perfected machine. Two-stroke engines for motor-cycles are being experimented with. One, design-' ed for side-car work, is of the long 6troko variety with twin-cylinders of GO rain, x 100 mm. bore and stroke respectively, and also embodies a sleeve vnlve. Another is a vertical two-stroke with twocylinders, having a common combustion' i.i 6pace, and designed as a light-weight engine. The pistons work in unison, and the transfer and exhaust parts are in different cylinders, the new gas-charge having to travel up the ono cylinder and down the vther before it escapes through the oxhaust port. Mention was made some time ago of a two-stroke engine suited for automobile work, and it is understood it has proved successful in what is known as tho "valveless" car. There is a great development of road building in America, and during the present year it is expected that .£52,600,000. will bo expended for this purpose, which k 82 per cent, increase on tho previous year. The boom in road construction is duo to the necessity of using motor vehicles of all descriptions to reliovo tho congestion on the railways Lighting-up time.:—To-morrow, 5.3 p.m., Next Friday, 5.10 p.in.