Wanted : A Trial of the Colonial Models.
Page 2
Page 3
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
DURING THE next few months a large number of visitors will come to this country for the purpose of attending the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley. Now, many of these visitors will no doubt be interested in mechanical transport, and the opportunities afforded by their presence must be exploited to the`tull. .
Manufacturers have made arrangements for exhibiting their vehicles on the stands in the ordinary way, and no doubt are prepared to' give demonstrations of the vehicles at work in the vicinity of London or at their own works, "ffut this will not be sufficient to carry conviction to the buyer and user from overseas, and to prove to them that a vehicle is going to be a good investment and -a money-saving venture when working under overseas conditions.
A combined effort should, therefore, be made to demonstrate, by means of organized reliability trials, B2 the capabilities of all the latest designs of British vehicles which are considered specially suitable for the Colonies. The designs which will particularly appeal to buyers will be those suitable for rough roads and cross-country work, and also steam vehicles using various solid and liquid fuels, such as wood, charcoal, coal and crude oil. The opportunity is also especially favourable for the inclusion of suctiongas equipment, as charcoal can so readily be obtained in many countries. The four-wheel drive and the multi-axle types each have their particular spheres of utility, and it would Seem desirable that the trial should embrace them: The particular, information primarily required, by the user is that Of working costs. Users are not willing to embark on a transport service without first knowing what the working and maintenance costs are likely to be, and information of this nature is of much .greater value when it is based upon conditions and circumstances known to the public and vouched for by qualified and independent judges.
The idea of having reliability trials for Colonial vehicles originated in connection with steam vehicles, but there can be no doubt that the suggestion to .extend the scope of the trials to include all vehicles suitable for Colonial work is a useful one and Would be appreciated in the Dominions. It is, of course, strongly to be recommended that the trials should be carried out by the R.A.C. technical tommittee, with the approval and support of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.