THE “ESSEX” CAR THAT MRS. SANDFORD DROVE 11,000 MILES ROUND AUSTRALIA.

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 118, 9 August 1927, Page 8

THE “ESSEX” CAR THAT MRS. SANDFORD DROVE 11,000 MILES ROUND AUSTRALIA.

In driving a small car through the crowded streets of a city, the advantages of changing to a lower gear frequently are not appreciated by many motorists. By changing down (as it is called) slow-moving traffic can be passed more rapidly, the near side of the road being regained in a shorter space of time, and a better get-away can be made from traffic hold-ups. Then, again, when coming out of a byroad and crossing the main stream of traffic, it is the foolish policy of many drivers to proceed at about 15 ra.p.h. in top gear, causing oncoming vehicles to brake more or less violently, simply

in order that the driver who is emerging from the byroad may save himself the trouble of changing down. The correct procedure, of course, is to engage a lower gear before the corner is reached, making sure that the course is clear before endeavouring to cross the main road. If there is no one in the way, the acceleration available on the lower gear will enable the car to get quickly across, and the whole process will take no more time than that occupied by the average slap-dash, top-gear driver.

Ten years ago there were 600 firr manufacturing motor vehicles. To-d; there are 53.

The Research Association in England is very busy just now testing the 160 odd silencers, designed and made by those competing in the Triumph silencer competition.

Seen in the city last week, an ancient New Imperial, still going strong, with the name on the tank changed to Old Imperial.