FUTURE OF THE MOTOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1920, Page 10 (Supplement)

FUTURE OF THE MOTOR.

DEPENDENT ON FUEL. PRODUCTION AND ECONOMY. Great emphasis on Itto factors in the problem of the future of the motor was laid by Mr. G. Hamilton-Grapes, A.M.1.A.E., of Melbourne, formerly of the motor firm of Grapes and Riley, of Wellington, who is staying in New /Zealand a few days before passing on by the Tofua to America. For the past five years Mr. Grapes has been a consulting automobile engineer in Melbourne, and has taken a prominent part in the development of the automobile in the Commonwealth and the study of the problems attaching to it. He is a leading member of the Institute of Science and Industry in Australia which includes, among many notable men of science, the distiguished engineer General Sir John Monash. The two main factors which concern the future of motoring, according to Mr. Grapes, are the production of more fuel and economy in the use of such fuel as we have. He has been commissioned by the Institute of Science and Industry to investigate resources in locally produced fuel, such as benzol from the low-temperature distillation of coal and shale and power-alcohol manufactured from locally-grown vegetation. On the other side of economy, Mr. Grapes has spent a number of years devising means for securing higher efficiency in the consumption of present motor fuels. The general lines on which he is proceeding are the proper gasification of benzine or whatever fuel is used, so that there may be little or no loss through condensation of vapour and incomplete combustion. Further steps towards economy are taken in a reduction of deadweight of the vehicle and wind-resistance. Through a combination of a number of devices, including a new device for gasifying the fuel, a now type of body of stream-line form, better springing, all covered by special patents, Mr. Grapes has succeeded in reducing the consumption of fuel very materially indeed.

MAKING CARS LOCALLY. In conjunction with a number of Melbourne engineers and business men, a syndicate has been formed to manufacture and assemble in Australia a ear embodying these improvements,, by which it is hoped to be able to guarantee a consumption of 35 miles to the gallon of benzine. Mr. Grapes is proceeding to America, to have a number of ears built according to his designs, and expects to return in about six months to Australia with eight or nine cars, which will be distributed among the principal Australian cities, with also one each tjo the North and South Islands of New Zealand for the purpose of demonstration. Thereafter manufacture and assembly will be taken up in Australia. The engine and transmission will be imported, but the wheels, springs, frames, radiators, bodies, and front-axles will all bo manufactured in the Commonwealth from Australian materials. The intention is to put on the market a ear specially suited to Australasian conditions at a moderate price. The prospects are considered very favourable.

While in America, Mr. Grapes will examine special plant erected in the Southern States for the production of alcohol from sugar-cane refuse. Incidentally, he informed a Post reporter that, the ordinary Ford car would run quite satisfactorily with adjustments of carburetter jet and slightly increased compression on power alcohol, and was, indeed, a suitable car for experiment in that direction. With benzine to-day standing at a price of 4s Od a gallon in Australia, and with the possibility of short supplies, Mr. Grapes considers it highly necessary that all other sources of fuel should be investigated. Australia and New Zeealand also have large shale deposits, rich in fuel oils, and from them supplies of fuel might, be obtained. Alcohol appeared to be the only permanent fuel in view, and Australia was inviting some of tse leading scientists of the older world to assist in investigating the problem in this region of the world,