MOTORDOM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 728, 30 July 1929, Page 6

MOTORDOM

MILEAGE OF TYRES DO TODAY’S TYRES GIVE LESS “Balloon tyres do not seem to give as long mileage now as they did when they were first introduced.” This is a remark heard more or less frequently among motorists. Apparently many people think that presentday balloon tyres are not as good as those made two or three years ago, states a tyre expert in the “Goodyear News.” And here we strike at the very heart of a condition in dire need of remedy; a condition based upon public misconception and in direct conflict with the actual facts of the case, for it is the fact that tyre manufacturers today are making the best tyres they have ever made, and the best tyres they know how to make. Steady improvement has been, and is being, made in the art of tyre building and in their several price classes tyres in general are of better quality than ever before. It is also true, paradoxical as it may sound, that even though better balloon tyres are being made today than were made two and three years ago, the tyres of today do not appear to be giving as much mileage. When motorists find they are not getting as much mileage as they had expected it is perhaps logical that they first blame the condition on the tyres. Few, if any, of them stop to consider that changing conditions under which tyres are run may be the reason for the reduced mileage. Here are the conditions directly responsible in cases where balloon tyres appear not to be giving as much mileage today as did the balloon tyres of yesterday;— 1. Smaller diameter tyres. 2. Higher motoring speed. 3. Quicker acceleration of cars. 4. Quicker stopping (four wheel brakes). 5. Tinder inflation. O. Over inflation. EASY TO CLEAN NO METAL POLISH ON CHROMIUM Strange as it may seem, there are still motorists who do not appreciate the main advantage of chromium plating—that it never requires the application of metal polish. The Singer Company, which is believed to be the first British concern to standardise chromium plating, re minds owners of this fact by pasting a notice on the windscreen. This states that metal polish should not be used on the bright fittings of the car, which only requires cleaning with a damp chamois leather and polishing with a soft dry cloth. It has been rumoured that metal polishes are actually detrimental to chromium plating, but experts deny this emphatically. There is no acid in any known polish which can do the slightest harm, and the chromium is far too hard to be affected by the fine abrasive or any other ingredient. But the use of polish is sheer waste of time —time which would be far better employed on some other job, as for instance, the occasional test of tyre pressure. The smaller automobile associations have been preparing to improve their signposting service, and at least two have recently appointed service officers. The touring manager of the A.A.A. is hoping to arrange for a conference at which a unanimous scheme for the North Island will be approved. In order to simplify highway signs it is desirable that all automobile associations should agree on standard types, particularly in the case of danger notices.

By

HEADLIGHT

“Super-T onner ’ ’ New Morris Truck is Great Performer Sir William Morris, having found that British manufacturers were neglecting to build for the specific requirements of their overseas trade, laid plans for a rapid and radical alteration in his factories. The first outcome of the Morris leader’s initiative was the special model Z truck made to meet overseas conditions. This has now been followed by the Morris super one-ton truck, a demonstration' of which was given on some of Auckland's worst pieces yesterday. The new type is claimed to carry a greater load than any similar type of lorry, and to do it at a fraction of the cost. In going right out to prove this the demonstrators gave the machine a heavy gruelling, but it stood up to every test, and justified the claim that it can carry a load and account for running., cost, interest, taxation, depreciation and maintenance, at 6d a ton a mile. The Trial The trial opened with the loading of one ton and 841 b. on the machine. The makers, remembering the colonial reputation for overloading, have made allowances which will probably permit the carriage of 25 or 30 cwt. fairly consistently. Morris makes have a good reputation for steady work under heavy loads In putting the super- one-tonner through its paces, the driver ran it at close upon 40 miles an hour, and, still in high gear, let it down to a faultless 5 m.p.h. Steering was simplicity itself, the handy machine responding like the lightest of cdrs. Turning to return on the narrow road the truck displayed a "nippy” lock. Up Steep Grades

The grades that this truck can climb are amazing. With the ton load, and with the cab pretty full of

humanity of a aggregate weight at 43 stone, the truck pulled up City Road (just off the top of Queen Street) easily. The grade is 1 in 4J. Then to two of the steepest streets between Bclen Terrace and the Great North Road. Down Bright Street is a grade of 1 in 6, and up Kirk Street to the Great North Road is 1 in SJ. The sturdy Morris pulled up there twice, easily, and went down with that heavy load without the slightest danger. At the conclusion of the trip the radiator was not really hot. This new super-tonner Morris is lfi--40 horsepower. Sir William claims that with its perfect balance' he has produced a vehicle fully as efficient as any six-cylinder type, and much more economic. It has a road clearance of 12in. The old tilt at the English manufacturer that his spare parts are hard to get cannot be levelled at the Morris, every detail of which is carried on the shelves of the Auckland agents, Harrison and Gash, Ltd.

Cable advice lias been received that in the French Grand Prix, the Blue Ribbon of the motor racing world, which was run at Le Mans on June 16, the first four places were secured by Bentley cars. The first and second cars broke the existing record for the course by covering 2,844 kilometres and 2,732 kilometres, respectively, in 24 hours, the previous best distance being 2,659 kilometres. The first two places in the Rudge-Whitworth Cup were also gained by Bentley cars. The winning and placed cars mentioned above all used Shell spirit and Shell oil.

I LESSON TO THE WORLD WOLVERHAMPTON’S SYSTEM | “An example to the world in street traffic is being set by Wolverhampton, which has established | itself as far as traffic is concerned | as the fastest city in England,” I says the “Daily Express.” : Deputations liave come, or are comJ ing during this year, from three Brii tish colonies and five European countries to watch the Wolverhampton j streets and to marvel thereat. I An official German film was recently taken of the Wolverhampton street traffic, and the way It Is controlled, for display to municipalities throughout Germany. GERMANY INTERESTED These pictures created such an impression that in the early spring representatives of various German cities will again visit Wolverhampton to study the traffic arrangements. A memorandum on “How Wolverhampton has solved the modern traffic problem” has been circulated to a number of chief constables in England and Wales. There are two reasons for Wolverhampton’s success. The town has definitely abolished its tramway system —the last two miles of tramway track is being torn up now—and has adopted a special mechanical traffic controller which works electric lights at important road junctions. “From the statistics 1 have gathered from London and the great provincial towns,” says the Chief Constable of Wolverhampton, “we are at least 25 per cent, faster in our streets than any place which has tramways, although our main streets carry a great volume of heavy traffic.” DOUBLING ROAD WIDTH Speaking of the replacement of the trams by six-wheeled motor-buses and trolley buses, the transport manager of the city said: “Taking away our tramway lines has had the effect of doubling the width of our roads. We have doubled our road capacity by a stroke and saved money as well. There is little doubt that every tramway undertaking in towns of a size comparable to Wolverhampton or smaller will be dead within the next few years.”