A Ghost Laid

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 876, 21 January 1930, Page 6

A Ghost Laid

Low Clearance on British Cars In these enlightened times there is apt to be a good deal of scepticism where ghosts are concerned, but British motor manufacturers are not infrequently brought face to face with one particular ghost that would appear to have completely disregarded the etiquette of all respectable ghosts and which will persist in cropping up when it should long since have sunk into oblivion. In previous days the British automobile was alleged to be totally unsuited to overseas conditions by reason of inadequate clearance, and although this contention has long since lost any semblance of veracity, it is still on occasion put forward. There is little doubt that users overseas are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that criticism in regard to clearance is not substantiated in actual practice and are proving for themselves the fact that the general design of British vehicles is suitable for all road conditions. In point of fact British cars give a clearance equal to, and in some cases actually exceeding that provided by Gther makes, and the surest answer to any query as to the suitability of such cars for overseas requirements is to be found in the pioneering enterprises of typical types of British cars in undeveloped areas in different parts of the world. Almost every mail brings fresh proofs of the performance of British cars, and as an instance, one of the latest from Australia may be quoted. In the annual Sydney to Melbourne trial —which is of the “sealed bonnet’' type, no adjustments being allowed en route without loss of marks —Brit-