FRONT-WHEEL DRIVING

NZ Truth, Issue 1196, 1 November 1928, Page 22

FRONT-WHEEL DRIVING

Striking Success of Unique Idea

A STRANGE coincidence m regard to front-wheel driving is that the development of the new system of transmission was commenced simultaneously m 1924 by two firms working on similar lines,. but unknown to each other. !

THE two firms were the English Alvis 1 concern and the American firm that manufactures "Miller cars. Both companies applied front wheel drive solely to racing cars and they have made very considerable progress towards the perfection of< this unique system. Being a' comparatively small company, with limited means for carrying out experimental work, the Alvis company deserves special credit for the progress it has made. Various factors have prevented the company from entering its uncoriven- j tional product m the main European events. ■ ' So far it h^s only appeared m England, where the car has shown m convincing fashion its very great advantages. Its forte is fast cornering, and spectators at English race meetings and hill-climbs have time and again been intrigued by the way m which the front wheel drive Alvis has burst round a

sharp bend at speed, with the free rear wheels swinging round m a' wide skid, to be pulled immediately into line by the front driving: wheels when the car has been straightened up again.. Although the front wheel drive Alvis has so far been unsuccessful m winning a supreme event, it very nearly achieved victory m last year's 200 miles race at Brooklands. . . One of the worst pieces of luck which lias ever befallen a racing car put it out of the race. C. M. Harvey, its driver, was m full cry after the leaders, when a competitor, driving a comparatively .slow "hotted up" touring model, swung out of the straight course, and m his efforts to avoid him, Harvey put the Alvis into a terrific skid, which only finished when the tail of the car became jammed immovably between a post and the fence. ■ It is worth mentioning that not once has the front wheel drive Alvis been put out of a race' owing to transmission trouble.