Speeding Through

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 76, 21 June 1927, Page 10

Speeding Through

Before adjusting the carburettor, make certain that ignition and timing are correct, and also that the valves and rings are working satisfactorily. Holes will appear in fenders If the under side is not cleaned and painted occasionally. Rust will eat its way through the metal when water comes in contact with the raw surface. * * * According to scientists, only 3 per cent, of the energy capacity of gasoline is used to propel an automobile, the engine wasting 97 per cent. If full use were made of gasoline energy, a small car could go 450 miles on .one gallon of gas. The Calthorpe Motor Supplies, Ltd., Birmingham, when they took over the spares and repairs from the receiver of the late Calthorpe Motor Co., Ltd., also acquired the old portion of the Calthorpe premises. Here they are continuing their business, which includes the production of new Calthorpe cars. * * * Owing to the growth of their expor 1 . business in connection with Hillman and Clyno cars in Australia, Rootes. •Ltd., Devonshire House, Piccadilly, W.l, have opened a permanent office for their representative, Mr. Harold Heath, in Australia/ at Herald Buildings, Pitt Street, Sydney, N.S.W.

In order to show an appreciation of H. O. D. Segrave’s success in illustrating to the whole world that the men of that city can build the fastest of all motor-cars, Wolverhampton gave him, on April 27, an official reception. He was entertained to luncheon by the mayor and city officials and was presented with a model of the famous 200 miles an hour Sunbeam racer designed in flowers. * * * A novel trial from Rome to Copenhagen, organised by the Royal Danish Automobile Club, will start on June 23. No definite route has been fixed, each competitor being free to work out his own course. Prizes will be awarded to the first to arrive in Copenhagen. The idea seems a good one, and perhaps it will not be long before there is an Auckland to Wellington race. • * • In some cars the hose that carries the cooling water from motor to radiator and back collapses and retards the flow and creates overheating. Due to the heat and vibration the rubber becomes soft and does not retain its normal shape. This happens if the hose coupling is rather long. Neither fines nor imprisonment being effective, in California, to check the increase in the number of motor-car fatalities, the magistrates of Berkeley recently came to the conclusion that the responsibility lay not with the driver, but with the vehicle. Now the motorist who kills a man is allowed to go free, but the peccant car is impounded. This is said to be the most effective deterrent yet discovered for reckless driving. * * • This is truly a speed age! Mr. G. H. Scott made a fine faux pas, when welcoming the British motor trade delegation last week. It was an English car, he said, which captured the speed record and covered 207 miles in a minute. The uproarious laughter which greeted this slight mistake of 59 minutes had not subsided when one member of the gathering called, “Build me one of those.” * * * The concrete roads round Auckland offer irresistible temptations to children with scooters. So long as the youngsters are happy no one minds, but when scooters become a public danger then steps should be taken to lessen the possibility of trouble. One step that might well be enforced is to prevent reckless “scootering” down Parnell Hill and College Hill, Ponsonby. Youngsters tearing down these hills are not only placing themselves in danger but causing actual inconvenience to motorists. “Headlights,” suggests a ban being placed on these two hills for a start.