THE PRINCE’S LATEST CAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 331, 17 April 1928, Page 6

THE PRINCE’S LATEST CAR

FRANCIS BIRTLES

THAT RED SPOT

THE COURTEOUS MOTORIST

ROLLS-ROYCE WEYMANN His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has just placed an order for the latest tyvic Weymann saloori, to be fitted to his new 40/50 Rolls-Royce Chassis. This type of body is very rapidly becoming popular with motorists the world over, and those who have ridden in a body constructed on the Weymann principles are delighted with the riding comfort and entire absence of body noises, which is one of the greatest bugbears of motoring. Fabric bodies on the Weymann principle are creating considerable interest in New South Wales, and Messrs. Dalgety’s, Ltd., have ordered several mounted on both the 20 h.p. and the 40/50 h.p. Rolls-Royce chassis. The cost of Weymann fabric bodies is extremely reasonable in comparison to coach-built bodies by the best English builders.

ON WAY TO AUSTRALIA Francis Birtles, who is motoring from London to Melbourne, has again been heard from at Tammu, Upper Burma, close to the borders of Tibet, where he arrived on March 9 af-ter an eight weeks’ journey from Calcutta. Motoring circles in England are thrilled at the information, which means that Birtles has crossed virgin country and mountains which, as far as is known, have not previously been crossed. No particulars from Birtles of his experiences on this part of his journey have ’ yet been received. He is travelling ; alone, and is now on the road to Man- ! dalay.

BALANCING TYRES On the side of practically every balloon or semi-balloon tyre now used is a small red spot. Few understand the purpose it serves, but every motorcar owner should know it. It looks as though a careless painter had dropped a dab of red paint, but there is nothing careless about it. It is a piece of red rubber vulcanised into the side of the casing, and it is one of the important things on a car for an owner to watch. Many pounds were spent in research before it was placed there. Motor-car companies found that with balloon or semi-balloon tyres, wheels had to be balanced to avoid shimmying. Packard puts adjusting lugs on the rims of all of its wheels, so that each wheel can be as carefully balanced .'is that of a racing car. The extra weight <of the valve stem of the tyre, it was discovered by the tyre companies, was enough to throw the tyres so far out of balance as to cause the shimmy effect. As tyres are produced this weight is compensated for by added weight at one point in the casing and the red dot or square shows the lightest side. where the valve should be placed to bring the tyre in balance. Every time a tyre is changed the car owner should -see that the valve stem is placed opposite the red spot, or not more than two inches away from it.

HAVE YOU EARNED THE TITLE? What is a courteous driver? Here is a definition, by the Traffic Commissioner of Cleveland, U.S.A.: — "He stops to let children cross the street. He drives cautiously through crowded areas. He keeps the proper lane in traffic and gives the right of way to vehicles moving more rapidly. He drives quietly past hospitals. He parks so as not to obstruct his neighbour’s driveaway. He believes the pedestrian has some rights and drives so as to illustrate that belief. He behaves on the street as he would in his home before guests.” Applications for the title of ’'Courteous Driver’’ will now be received.