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LOOSE LEAVES

8th September 1931
Page 32
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Page 32, 8th September 1931 — LOOSE LEAVES
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Q FIORTLY after tla kJ Commercial Motor Show held at Olympia

in 1929 we commenced a series of comprehensive road tests of ,

different makes and types of commercial vehicle. Up to date we have dealt with 82 chassis, but this number will, of course, be increased before the Show opens this year. As a guide to the capabilities of the various models, there is no more exhaustive information available. Intending purchasers can, therefore, assess on a definite performance basis the features of the exhibits to be displayed, and can use average figures deducted from test' reports to arrive at the comparative operating costs for machines of various types, whether they have petrol or oil engines. A study of the graphs and figures, and direct comparisons, reveal which chassis are best suited to a particuular class of work.

AS announced in another page of this issue, new oil-engined vehicles are being shown to transport managers at an important meeting being held this week at Manchester. It is interesting to note that two of the names are newcomers of the first importance, these being Leyland and Thornycroft, and it B18

is highly probable that examples of their products in this class will be shown at Olympia. • We have heard of two or three other concerns which will also have compressionignition engines on view. It is noteworthy that in all reference to engines of this type most of our manufacturers are maintaining a reasonably conservative attitude.

WE have, in these pages, consistently fought against all forms of rate and fare cutting and, in the ordinary way, would welcome any steps which could be taken to that end. We do, however, question the ultimate advantage of imposing minimum rates and fares, basing them upon those of a competitor in another field of transport. There is a belief in some quarters that Area Traffic Commissioners tend to take that course. If this be true the tendency is one which cannot but be deplored, particularly from the point of view of the public, which Is entitled to ask that, where an alternative method of transport offers possibilities of lower fares with economical operation, it should be able to avail itself of the advantage.

THE Falkland Islands constitute a Crown Colony . where it is difficult to march with the times owing to the special topography of the country and the sparse population. The country is highly unsuited, to modern transport owing to the lack of roads and the high cost of constructing them over the peat bogs, marshes, hills and stone ridges. Nevertheless, certain motor vehicles are in use in Stanley, the capital. It is noteworthy that, with one exception, every motor vehicle in service is a MorrisCommercial.

With the help of these machines the town has taken on a new aspect, asphalt roads, concrete sidewalks and several new buildings have been erected, the vehicles transporting the thousands of tons of materials required.

DURING the past two or three years a sore

point amongst maintenance engineers has been cylinder wear, principally in connection with the smaller classes of commercial vehicle which have high-speed engines as opposed to those running up to, say, 2,000 r.p.m. At least one important British manufacturing concern has decided that its 1932 models shall have only cast-iron pistons, and, accordingly, the type of piston at present employed is being discarded. The view of the concern in question is that longer engine life is given by the cast-iron type.

IT must surely have occurred to few people that petrol cans can be made use of as currency. The idea, however, did strike a garageproprietor the other day when the driver of a disabled lorry, having had repairs effected, said that he had very little money. The garage proprietor accepted three petrol cans as payment on account of the repair which he had carried out.

AT a recent sale of second-hand motor .vehicles in Edinburgh, a 1925 2-ton lorry, described as "in good running order," was knocked down for 10s. The auctioneer stated that it was a new experience for him to sell a motor vehicle at that price.

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Locations: Manchester, Edinburgh

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