MODERN MOTOR CAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1941, Page 5

MODERN MOTOR CAR

IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRY TO NEW ZEALAND SOME INTERESTING FACTS. ADDRESS AT ROTARY CLUB. An address on “The Autoiiotive Industry and its Importance in the Community," was given at the Masterton Rotary Club luncheon' today by Mr Avon C. Tatton. “From figures available just prior to the war it is interesting to note that of the 110 countries of the world there are only ten where there are more motor vehicles operating than in New Zealand,” said Mr Tatton in emphasising the importance of the industry in the Dominion. At December 31, 1940. 215,798 cars, 49,332 trucks, 4,582 Government vehicles, and 17,015 motor cycles were registered in New Zealand. The ratio of population per vehicle at the beginning of 1938 in 15 countries was quoted by Mr Tatton. The U.S.A, headed the list with 4.4, New Zealand was second with 6.7 and China was last with 10.242.4. “It is estimated that just prior to the war over 25.000 persons were associated with the motor industry in New Zealand.” said Mr Tatton. All of those persons were necessary to keep the modern automobile and truck operating efficiently. The progress of the industry was due to the improvement in design with the result that modern automobile were further ahead in efficiency, performance and economy than vehicles of a comparatively few years ago. Mr Tatton stated that in the 1919 model car the motor oil had one job to do —lubrication. Today the modern motor oil had to do four big jobs—lubrication, cooling, cleaning and sealing. “The modern engine, as compared with that of 20 years ago is smaller in size, lighter, and yet develops about twice as much power.” said Mr Tatton. referring to lubrication methods. For every mile a car travelled the pistons in a modern engine moved up and down in the cylinders about G.O01! times. The valves opened and shut about 15.000.000 times every 10.000 miles the car travelled. A duty modern lubricating’oil had to perform was to form a seal between the piston and cylinder heads. Due to the high power generated in modern engines very high pressures were encountered in the cylinder. During the time of explosion the temperatures in the combustion chamber rose as high as 3.000 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 times as hot as boiling water. The sealing had to be carried out 21 times per second with an average car travelling at 50 miles per hour. The speaker went on to describe the functions of oil in the modern engine. "Like a human being a car takes in air and it does so in large gulps, about 6.000 cubic feet of air per hour being drawn in through the carburettor of the modern car," said Mr Tattan. In conclusion, he commented on the work of the Garage Proprietors' Association of New Zealand. In order to protect the motoring public's interest a standard examination for motor mechanics had been established.