NEW MODELS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 404, 13 December 1932, Page 2

NEW MODELS

BRITISH CARS TRIUMPH AT OLYMPIA MOTQR SHOW. INTERESTING DESIGNS. A preliminary visit to the Motor Show, which opened at Olympia on October 13, disclosed a scene of mechanical elegance in a setting of scai"let and gold. 'Exhibits worth more than £1,500,000 stood in apparently interminable rows, with their glossy bodies and shining metalwork displayed to the best advantage, 'and midst all this opulence of production oue hardly knew where to start the long tour of inspection. The difficulty was of course to discover the "surprises" — to find what was actually new and symbolic of progress. By diligent investigation and much patient plodding, however, the secrets were revealed, one by one, and the points of about 26 new models admired. There were many different makes of motor ears capablo of speeds of over 100 miles an hour; a dozen, including one 'example of mass-produc-tion (priced at under £300), that can "do" 90 m.p.h.; innumerable standard tourers that ara designed to worlc up to an honest 80 m.p.h., and one particularly attractive little model with a maximum of 130 m.p.h. From the viewp'oint of mere speed, the British manufacturer is evidently a confirmed optimist. He presupposes that traffic laws do not existand that England is a land of untramelled roads. Last-Minute Surprises. One of the most interesting of the cheaper models on view is Sir William Morris' lastminute surprise — -a Morris "25," which is roomy, fast, and powerful enough to satisfy the most exacting driver. Capable of exceptional acceleration, the "25-" is designed to cruise comfortably at 55, with a strong top speed well in excess of 70. It .should certainly be able to compete, both as regards p-er-formance and price (it is to be sold for less than £400) 'with the larger Ameriean cars which seern to be making an insistent appeal to owners in this country. Smooth running even at high speed has been achieved by means of the "double" frame on which the body is mounted. The car virtually has two frames, one within the other, for increased lateral support, giving great strength and eliminating any trace of "weaving" or "lozenging." Qther special points include two top-gear ratios of the constant mesh type, allowing for the simplest of gear changes. The engine has a special ■aid preheater, Cleaner ancl fume consumer. In the light car section is a M.G. production, known as the new "Magnette," the ordinary model of which will travel up to 80 m.p.h. In racing form with super-charger it will attain a speed of 130 miles an hour, or 20 miles in excess of its baby brother, the M.G. Midget. On the. Daimler stand, where luxury, "appearance," and power are seen in happy combination, is a counterpart of the 25 h.p. limousine, with fluid flywheel transmission and selfchange gear, recently delivered to the Royal Mews for the King's use. Messrs. Stratstone, Ltd., who supplied the car, are a new company formed to continue the business and organisation so long carried out by Stratton-Instone, Ltd. The fluid flywheel enables the car to crawl in top gear at one mile an hour, if neeessary, and accelerate up to 70 — both. -very advantageous qualities. Latest Style in Coachwork. Another feature of the exhibition is the predominance of sunshine roofs, foru-speed gearboxes, direction indicators, and other fittings, which, only a fhort year ago, were "extras." And the latest style coachwork is, of course, the "Windswept" line, of which the main characteristics are eddy-free fronts to the windscreens, side panels to the wings, and rear aprons or tails concealing rear tank and luggage compartment. A small itern which adds to the windswept effect is the greater use of wheel discs and meal spare-wbeel covers. In addition to cellulose finish and chromium plating on the bright parts of the body, rust-proofing processes are being employed on such parts as the wings so that they will be protected even if the paint is damaged. One sorne of the stands were oaxs equipped with the new free-wheel device, which permits "coasting" in the approved bicycle manner, and which, probably, will he in universal use hefore very long. This was the innovation which .attracted the special attention of visitors to the recent motor show in Paris, where M. Citroen made a feature of it. To differentiate the varjous productions of the exhibiting manufacturers would be to draw comparisions where none are need. It is sufficient to state that British makers ias a whole have risen to the needs of the times and are evidently determined not toAe left hehind by their rivals on the contient and in America. If Olympia, 1933, demonstrates anything, it demonstrates thqt, for it is proba.bly the most comprehensive and instructive display of cars, .speedboats and m'echanical equipment the world has yet seen. It marks a further stage in the emancipation of the motorist.