MOTORS AT THE LEIPZIG FAIR.
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Brief Details of the Outstanding Vehicle Exhibits.
TEE Leipzig Autumn Fair, which was open from August 29th to September 4th, was not very strongly supported by the commercial motor trade. The proximity of the German Motor Show, which opens on October 29th, had probably something to do with this, in addition to the present quiet state of trade and the fact that the Autumn Fair is not so important as the Spring Fair.
There was nothing strikingly new to note. There were no English vehicles exhibited, although American products were very well represented, being shown by local agents. In parenthesis, one cannot help wondering sometimes how the American manufacturers, with heavy freights and heavy Customs duty, manage to compete with the local manufacturers so successfully.
Chevrolets showed a light delivery model and their 1-tonner. The Reo. Speed Wagon, designed for 25-cwt. loads, was shown with several detail improveinents ; the steering, for example, has been strengthened. When desired, a six-cylinder engine can be fitted in place of the standard four-cylinder unit. The Gray four-cylinder chassis was shown with several types of bodywork.
Fords from the new Berlin factory were exhibited, both the light delivery van and the tanner models being shown.
The firm of Gottfried Lindner A.G., who specialize in trailers, had on view some of their models designed for dealing with awkward and bulky loads. The Meiller Kipper hydraulic tipping wagons were shown, and they appear to be very efficient in action ; it is claimed that a load can be tipped in 10-15 secs.
An interesting little petrol runabout for handling loads up to 15 cwt. is the Leila, an example of which was on view. Its engine is situated in the middle of the chassis. The 500 C.C. two-cylinder four-stroke motor can be obtained aircooled or water-cooled. A speed of 20 m.p.h. with full load is claimed. It is a handy little machine, and the price with platform body is £150.
A light and simply constructed machine for light delivery work was displayed by the Bremer Rekord Handelgesellschaft ni.b.H., Bremen. It is fitted with D.K.W. motors from 4-8 h.p. The cost with open body is £72 10s. and with closed body £75. This type of delivery vehicle is popular on the Conti. neat.
The Benz-Sendlung tractor for agricultural or road work, of which specimens were on view, is a very popular machine on the Continent. It has a Diesel oil engine which has stood the test of years of practical use. For road haulage the Benz is fitted with rubber tyres and can draw 15 tons at 5 m.p.h. It is claimed that the fuel cost for a working day amounts to 5s. only, so the ton-mileage costs ought to work out at an exceptionally low figure. The weight appears to be somewhat on the heavy side for agricultural work, but that is a fault common to many fourwheel tractors, and perhaps the creepertrack may eventually solve the problem of operating motor vehicles on wet farm land. Another tractor shown was the Gross Bulldog, manufactured by Heinrich Lanz A.G., Mannheim.
Electric vehicles of different designs were exhibited by Maschinen Eabrik, Esslingen. Type K 1502 is a 30-cwt. tipping wagon for refuse collection. By fitting a special 75-volt battery a distance of 30 miles can be accomplished without change of battery. This is a handy little machine for municipal work. Model FK 1502 is a watering machine with a capacity of 1.25 cubic metres. The tank can be easily detached from the chassis. Model K 751 is designed for goods and parcel delivery work and carries a load of 15 Cwt. A 75-volt battery is used. Model FW 1522 is a 30-cwt. model and has a wide travelling radius for an electric vehicle, as it can cover 40 miles, loaded, without change of battery. Model S 1 is a tractor for road use or yard work. It can haul up to 50 tons on rails or 12 tons on a good road when necessary, but only for short distances.
The firm of Bleihert and Co., Leipzig, showed 15-cwt. and 30-cwt. models of their Eidelechse, which cost £155 and £195 respectively. These are electricbattery models of conventional design.
H.W.B.