MOTOR CAR EXHIBITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19996, 13 January 1927, Page 14

MOTOR CAR EXHIBITION.

OLYMPIA ECLIPSES ITSELF

SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTIONS.

NEW SIX-CYLINDER CARS. (Feom Otjb Own Cobeespondent.) LONDON, November 30. Record attendances have been registered at Olympia e'er since the motor exhibition opened. Ninety thousand people paid to go in during the first throe days. The impression one gathers from a visit to the show is that there is nothing much wrong with the finances of the country. This is not an exhibition of trade cars, but of luxury machines only. They range in price from £IOO to £3040. Two makers have managed to turn out a car at £IOO, the first time this has been done in Great Britain, The Gillett is a 8 h.p. fourcylinder car, all steel body, with hood, screen, and all weather eauipment, and a ground clearance of 9in. It is called a two-seater, but a second scat at the back, although having little leg room, provides ample accommodation for two or three small children. These cars attracted crowds of people who are probably hist arriving at the stage of becoming motor owners. They have their limitations and doubtless would invite gibes from the owners of more expensive cars, but they certainly meet a need to-day. The other £IOO car is the Waverley—a two-four seater with the engine at the back of the car. It is claimed for this build of car that the upkeep is reduced by the elimination of the propeller shaft, universal joints, gear-box, and other parts expensive to renew. These are the only poor man’s cars, but there are many useful types round about £2OO in price. FOREIGN EXHIBITORS. A glance at the list of the foreign exhibitors and makes of cars to be found in the hall revealed at once the international character of the exhibition. In Baris there were only two British cars exhibited. At the ninth New York show, which opens on January 8. there will be 45 different makes of American cars and no imported cars. The drawing for space at the Chicago National Automobile Show, which takes place at the end of January, shows that the 45 makes of passenger cars, all American, will also be exhibited at that great annaul market. Olympia has 23 out of these makes of American cars exhibited. In fact, out of a total of 103 different makes of chassis to be seen at Olympia only 44 are British, chassis, Branco 23 makes of oars, and Italy 10, leaving Belgium (three) and Austria (two) to complete the grand total. When these things are considered it seems wonderful that the British, industry succeeds as well as it does in face of such strong opposition. During the nine months ending September 30, the total number of oars and chassis imported into Great Britain wtis 16,C61, of which 7593 ’were completed cars and 8464 arrived in England in their chassis form only and were fitted with British coachwork. So wo need not get very much alarmed, the actual sale of foreign oars being only about 10 per cent., if as much of the total number of passenger cars manufactured and sold from British factories. If one may estimate the total importation as 20,000 cars and chassis for the year, this, when divided amongst the importers, leaves them only between 300 and 400 sales apiece. As, however, the groat bulk of the import trade lies in the hands of four firms, the others cannot bo doing so very well, which makes it a matter for wonder that they still try to coax the British motorist to use their wares. But there is a very simple answer to the question why they still exhibit ot Olympia, and keep depots open in London and other parts of the United Kingdom, though most of the firms cannot sell enough cars to pay their expenses. It is because England is the centre of the trade of the world, and unless a foreign maker has agencies in London he cannot get the business abroad that he desires. Thus it is that we find French. Italian, Belgian, Austrian and American firms all with branches and agencies over hero, not so much expecting support from the Englishman himself as hoping to get a belter share of the export trade of the world. BRITISH CARS. Mr W. R. Morris can very rightly claim that he makes more cars than anybody else in England or Scotland. This year his production is estimated to be about 60.000. Clyno are expected to manufacture 30,000, the Standard hope to sell 25.000, Austin 20,000, Bean 6000, Arm-strong-Siddeley 6000, and Humber 6000. Roughly, this leaves only 60,000 cars to be made by the remaining 36 firms, providing that these estimates of production are correct. . Naturally, the expensive highclass British factories, such as Daimlers, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Vauxhall, Lanchcster, Sunbeam, and Crossley do not expect to make very large quantities each year. They can pay dividends without any mass-production, but the figures seem to give point to the suggestiou that it would be better if some of those smaller makers combined forces and produced a car that could be sold as well abroad as at home, and so help the export business, at the same time lowering their own costs and benefiting the British public by offering them cheaper cars. COLOUR SCHEMES. The colour schemes of the coachwork this year. are rather brighter. Among the carriages is one with biscuit-coloured panels and red wings, and another car is of sparrow egg blue, light and dark buff for the outside, with interior light blue leather upholstery. The Daimler stand is a picture in grey, lighter panels being thrown Up with a darker shade. A body of another well-known make has the lower portion in bine with black wings and chassis with the interior upholstered in dove grey cloth, while still another is painted aramantho red. Berhapa the prevailing use of enamel leather in various shades in place of a more solid material for the tops and roofs of (he many closed carriages, either of the ; all-weather type or of the fixed-head variety, lends greater opportunities for the coachbuilder to break out into more vivid colour schemes. A six seater Belgravia saloon limousine, painted crimson, is mounted on a 20 h.p. six-cylinder Talbot chassis, while an 18 h.p. si.x-cycliner Crossley is fitted with a Belgravia four-door saloon finished buff, the waistline being in elephant grey grained fabric, and the inuler-part painted grey to match. One of tho Gordon saloon landulettes is shown on an Austin “Twelve” with several noticeable features, including a onc-panel adjustable screen giving increased visibility and a signalling window at the driver’s right, divided vertically, so that tho rear half hinges outwards. NEW SIX-CYLINDER CARS. Undoubtedly tho outstanding feature of the show is the introduction of more than two dozen new six-cylinder engined cars, the vast majority of which range in power rating from 14 h.p. to 20 h.p. and are, therefore, what arc currently styled "lightsixes,” otherwise machines having engines ranging from 2000 to 3000 c.c. cylinder content. Following on the gradual increase in tho number of six-cylinder engines offered of recent years, these newcomers to the class have put the six-cylinder chassis in the position of representing fully 37 per cent, of the engine types on (he British market for the ensuing season. It is obvious that wilhin-the next two or three years the sixcylinder engine will bo the majority type. Moreover, price is no longer an obstacle even where full-scale accommodation and British goods are required. LOWER PRICES. Good progress is shown in scheming hoods that can be lowered or raised more conveniently, though much remains to do in this connection In general, however, it may be recorded that, as regards minor details, all-weather equipment has been improved in practical ways. Reflector mirrors and mechanically-operated wind-screen wipers may bo regarded as standard equipments to-day in tho same sense as are mechanical engine-starters and four-wheel brakes. Yet the prices of most cars are notably lower, in spite of the fact that the products are better finished, the equipment is more complete, and that wherever it has been desirable a better engine and chassis is offered. Tho four-wheel brakes are improved m most chassis, and it is noteworthy that four outstanding developments in cars marketed at competitive prices are the more general provision of vacuum-assisted brake control, gear-boxes having four speeds forward, lacquer finishes, beside the growing use of six-cylinder engines. FRONT-WHEEL WOBBLE. There are notable mechanical developments in connection with that extremely dangerous and elusive problem, front-wheel wobble, the existence of which nearly every manufacturer has denied for years, and which has been latent in practically eVery standardised oar type in the world. Thus, to prevent “shimmy,” one firm introduces a novel use for one of the simplest devices by employing a Hertford shock-absorber set, not vertically, but horizontally, between the axle and a detail of the steering gear.

To that end, too, in high grade French cars we find a duplicated steering gear system. Again, Daimler introduces on the “Double-Six” an entirely new. type of shock-free steering gear that obviates frontwheel wobble and which enables giant balloon tyres to be used safely on heavy, very fast cars. Incidentally, this development can be used for commercial vehicles which need it even more than the average passenger car to-day. SLEiEVE-VALVE ENGINES; Sleeve-valve engines are at last coming into their own, as their greater adoption by the leading makers, both in Europe and America, testifies to the claims of the inventors that they were a better no-trouble engine than the ordinary poppet valve type of motor. Naturally there are two opinions on that statement. At the same time the poppet valve enthusiasts can see on the Vauxhall stand both types, so here at any rate both parties can be satisfied. In tho 25-70 h.p. Vauxhall, the single sleeve valves are employed on account of their silence, simplicity, tune-keeping, and long life. It is claimed to be the simplest and most efficient form of a cylindrical valve, and that advantage has been taken of recent progress in combustion chamber design to enable the motor to attain its full power, and therefore give speed to the carriage, in conjunction with unimpaired smoothness and economy in running. SOME OF. THE NOVELTIES. Cellulose enamel may be seen on the panels of many of the cars. When the wise motorist who owns a car wants to have it repainted nowadays he discards the oil-paint system, and has this new cellulose paint put on in place, because not only does it keep cleaner and is easier to clean, but it wears well and lasts longer. Demonstrations that go on at this stand daily with road dust being used as a polishing medium to prove that the more Carmoloid is rubbed the better it looks are a practical example that you can dryclean a muddied car without harming it. Among the novelties displayed in the gallery are flexible steering wheels, so designed as to prevent the driver feeling any vibration transmitted from the steering column to his arms and hands, and equally applicable for commercial motor vehicles as for racing or pleasure motor cars. Blue glass front screens, as an anti-dazzle device both for day and night use, are also to be found here, as well as anti-fog lamps, radiator shutters, spot lights, and ashtrays that can be easily emptied, yet do not allow their contents to be blown about the car. Ladies will be interested in the. new heel protectors which have been designed so as to save tho heels and backs of the shoes of ladies driving cars from being ribbed and worn. These can be easily slipped on and off, and will no doubt be highly appreciated as a useful as well as a new device. A new departure in tho way of mirrors is that combined with the direction indicator, so that the driver not only can get a view of following or overtaking traffic, but can signal his movements at the same time, which can also be seen by oncoming traffic and point duty constables in towns and cities. Tho device is controlled from the driving seat by means of a neat switch, whioh is moved to the right or to. the left when the particular arrow pointing that way is brightly illuminated. For the slow or stop signal the two arrows are simultaneously illuminated on application of the foot brake, a bar appearing with an arrowhead at each end. HOME ON WHEELS. Those who like the nomadic life will be interested in the Eccles caravans section. Here, from about £IOO up to £3OO, are varieties of moveable houses. They can be trailed behind the motor car, and its occupants may sleep in any spot they may choose to pitch their tents, or, rather, halt their caravans. The £IOO trailer is balanced on two wheels, yet fitted with automatic brakes, and pneumatie tyres, with interior fittings including cupboard, safe, stove, lavatory basins, table, roof locker, and comfortable bed seats. Any light two-seater car can haul this little trailer, which is a home complete for two. A larger model, similarly equipped, to accommodate four persons, is staged, while a model de luxe with Jacobean oak interior and leaded lights, to sleep two and a child, is carried out in special steel-armoured plywood, and there is shown, to accommodate four, a larger model still, equally lavishly equipped and built in aluminium-armoured ply-wood, priced in tho neighbourhood of £2BO. VISIT OF DOMINIONS PREMIERS. The dominion Prime Ministers visited the show last week, when an effort was made to demonstrate the suitability of British cars for overseas conditions. Exhibitors at Olympia have already received very substantial orders for the coming season from Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa. The visitors were shown new cars in which the tracks and ground clearances have been closely considered from the overseas noint of view. It is anticipated that the visit should do much to clear up the impression that the British maker is ignoring the requirements of overseas markets. They began their tour at 9 a.m., before the official opening, accompanied by Sir Philip Cunliffe Lister, president of the Board of Trade, and Mr G. Maudsley, president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the promoters of the exhibition. . Altogether the Premiers inspected 28 British cars. The English prices ranged from £139 to £950. Only four of these cars had a ground clearance of more than fiiu, which is the minimum laid down by Mr Bruce for dominions requirements. Fourteen had a 4ft Sin track, which, according to Air Bruce, is essential for up- ’ country work. At one exhibit Mr Bruce said: “I think you would find it of great advantage if you took a trip to Australia and drove a car yourself over the kind of tracks wo have up cuntry.” From his remarks »t lis also clear that he does not consider the present prices satisfactory. At the end of his inspection he said: “It is difficult to generalise, but I have seen enough to-day to convince me that British makers are getting down to the problem of overseas requirements; but you still have a long way to go. Mr Coates said: “There is no doubt that the British manufacturer has given considerable attention to points which are likely to make their cars more saleable m the dominions.” ,