THE OLYMPIA SHOW.
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Introductory Notice of the Accessory, Component, Stores and Tire Exhibits.
The fifth International Exhibition of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders opens its doors this morning (Thursday), at to o'clock. 1 he Society is to be congratulated upon the rapid growth of the support, both from the industry and the public, that has been accorded to its Show, and so great has the pressure of applications for space been that, notwithstanding the separation of the commercial vehicle exhibits from those tnore closely associated with the pleasure side of auto not a few intending exhibitors have been unable to secure stands, whilst others are grumbling at their hard luck in the ballot.
It was exclusive]; announced in " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR," of March 8th last, that a contract had been signed with the proprietors of Olympia, to cover the years 1907 to 1913, inclusive, for a separate exhibition to be con'fined to motor boats and commercial motors, and everybody is now satisfied that this step was a wise one, although there was considerable opposition to the division at the time of the Society's Show a year ago. If proof were needed, now, of the wisdom of the step taken at the end of February last, it is supplied by the fact that there are, even some four months before the date arrives for the commercial motor exhibition, less than a score of spaces unallotted.
A preliminary survey of the exhibits satisfies us that many of our readers will benefit if they decide to come up to town, in order to visit the present Show. Not that there are any utility vehicles on view, but because a large number of the sundry exhibits possess
more than average interest. in addition, the tout ensemble is decidedly at-. tractive, no effort having been spared to obtain a scheme of attractive decoration, coupled with really unique lighting effects. Further, and this is a point thrAt should appeal to many of our trade supporters, the annexe no longer merits the reproaches and anathemas which were previously directed against it, Its boundary walls have been brought into line with those of the main had, and the division walls no longer convey the original impression of separation and exclusive coldness, which characterised the motor boat and other exhibits on the two previous occasions. If these division walls were removed, and if pillars such as those which now support the north end of the gallery were substituted for them, the main hall and the Unnexe would be thrown together into one imposing grand alais. In view of the coincidence of our publishing date with the opening day of the exhibition, we are, naturally, not in a position to make references to more than a few of the exhibits in the accessory, component, sLores and tire sections. The last-named of these are accommodated at tht west end of the commodious gallery, whilst visitors !hould note that 163 is the highest ::tand number on the ground floor. Next week, however, after having had the opportunity of examining more of the interesting examples of manufacturers' enterprise, we shall hope more fully to give an adequate impression of them, though no account of the present Show can do more than whet the appetite for the exhibition next March.
The inotorcab, exhibited on stand No. 26, by the Farman Automobile Co., Ltd., is of special interest at this juncture in view of the imminent appearance of this type on the London streets.
THE VALOR COMPANY, LIMITED, of 9, Bush Lane, E.C. (Stand No. 172A).— The " New Era " fire extinguishers are widely knt wn, and are used by the principal motorbus and railway companies. The stand is stacked with numbers of the different types by the company, and the excellent finish cannot fail to attract those who are possible buyers. All machines are tested to witho-and a pressure of 35o pounds on
the . ire inch, and will throw a flame-traenching jet of fluid from 40 to 50 feet in height. Several new pat.. terns of machines are on show, including those specially adapted for use with motor lorries, touring cars, garages, and motor boats.
The favourite model of extinguisher for motorbuses is sold under the name of " No. oz." It holds two gallons of fluid, and will put out four gallons of burning petrol. The material used for its construction is either hard rolled Lopper or lead-coated sheet steel, and the makers japan the exterior surface, and will apply any lettering free of charge.
Type " No. 03 " is designed for garage work, and holds about three gallons, whilst it will put out six gallons of burning petrol.
Many thousands of the above-mentioned extinguishers have been supplied during the last few months, and the Valor Company is exceptionally busy still.
ME-SSRS. ADAMS, PRICE AND COMPANY, of 16, Newton Road, Tunbridge Wells (Stand No 255).---An interesting collection of the various sizes and patterns of the patent "Quick-lift " jacks are on view, as well as one or two specimens of the firm's patent motorcar elevator.
The " Quick-lift "jacks have proved sa successful in use that a stronger and heavier pattern for use with motorbuses and steam lorries has been designed. This heavy model is mounted on three wheels, so that it can easily be moved from one spot to another, without beiug lifted from the ground. A quick adjustment is provided whereby the ram can be expeditiously raised to the approximate height required. The ram is, afterwards, still further raised, with the weight resting upon it, by means of a wheel, attached to the outer end of a long, inclined handle, and this actuates a nut by means of bevel gearing. The revolving member of the jack rests upon a double row of steel balls. The lighter patterns are used in a somewhat different manner, viz., the ram is first of all screwed up slightly higher than the space between the weight and the ground. The long, inclined handle is then raised somewhat higher than the working position, and the crutch at the top of the ram is brought into position under the wheel or axle. The handle is next forced downwards, which movement brings the two travelling *heels underneath the weight, thereby elevating it from the floor. The light jacks vary in price
From L3. 35. to 5s., whilst the heavier ones, for motorbus work, are quoted at ,4-8 8s.
Users of delivery vans, who have not the room available for an insptTtion pit, will find the firm's motor vehicle elevator just the thing tequired for snaking adjustments to the mechanism beneath the chassis. The appliance consists of a strong framework, which has two steel channels to accommodate the wheels ; the width of the frame can be varied to suit different vehicles. Two short legs are placed near the centre of the framework, arid the lower ends of these legs are fitted with large castor wheels; the legs are of such a length that one of the ends of the elevator is always a considerable height from the ground. The angle that the frame
makes with the floor level is, therefore, considerable, so much so, that it would be next to impossible to drag a medium-sired vehicle up the incline. This difficulty is done away with by fixing two drums near the centre of the frame, and these drums carry two cables having hooks at their ends. When a car has to be elevated, its front wheels are brought to the end of the appliance which rests upon the floor. The hooks on the cables are then hitched on to some portion of the back axle, and the drums are turned by a handle, thus drawing the vehicle up to its correct position. It is then an easy matter to do any work on the chassis that may be necessary. The price of the elevator is 1.:15 15S.
S. SMITH AND SON, LIMITED, of 9, Strand, W. (Stand No. 257).—This well-known company, whose speed indicators and motor timepieces are so widely adopted, has a representative collection of the specialities which it makes. The motor clocks are absolutely damp-tight and dust-proof : it is unnecessary, when setting the hands, to open the glass which protects the face, as the bezel is made to rotate. Timepieces, Fitted with best eight-day lever movement, can be purchased for as little as L.+ 4s.
A number of " Perfect " speed indicators are shown upon the stand. These instruments have been sold in large quantities to many of the larger motor manufacturers, as well as to numerous individual users. A very neat attachment is a combined speed indicator, eight-day clock, and communicator. 1 he communicator provides an easy method of giving directions to the driver, by means of small circular dials, which bear the words " left," " turn round," " faster," and so on. These are operated by press buttons, and should prove useful for private omnibuses, travellers' broughams, and like vehicles.
" Radium" and "Alpha " lamps are shown in large quantities, and a special department, for the sale of these, now forms an important branch of the company's business. A useful portable lamp for attachment to an accumulator is priced at is. 6d. This includes three yards of wire and an " Osmi " lamp. Other small exhibits worthy of note are : illuminating lamps for interiors, lamps for steering columns, accumulators, coils, and electrical sundries generally.
JosEan LUCAS, LIMITED, Great King Street, Birmingham (Stand No. 196).— It is impossible to mention more than one or two of the different types of motor lamps manufactured at the company's factory. All lamps which bear the name " Lucas" are guaranteed to be made of the finest materials, and are manufactured at Birmingham.
Among the novelties to be seen on the stand, we may mention : a new Duplex "Ring of the Road" head lamp, which throws an extremely powerful beam of light ; a smaller head light, having a condensing lens ; new models
of different forms of head • and tail lights, suitable for various types of motoryans and other commercial vehicles ; three new patterns of horns; and last, but not least in importance, may be mentioned an entirely new form of jack.
TIIE GENERAL PETROLEUM COMPANY, LIMITED, Of 1e-21, Billiter Street, E.C. (Stand No. 207).—There is no motor ,pirit which is more widely known than " Shell," and this company 'S efforts to market special grades, from
Borneo, which, although • having specific gravities as high as 0.750, possess a low range of boiling points, deserve every encouragement at the hands of owners of commercial motors. Unless these more recent importations of petroleum spirit are widely adopted, the increasing demand for all purposes cannot have any result but to force up prices still further. Professor Bone, of Leeds University, as pointed out on the editorial page of this issue, supports the view that perfect combustion of ihese Eastern spirits, which contain an unusually high percentage of carbon, can easily be secured, and the General Petroleum Company informs us that it is prepared to supply any garage or wholesale dealer with a sample supply of these heavier spirits for test purposes.
DE DION, BOUTON , LIMITED, of to, Great Marlborough Street, Regent Street, W. (Stand No. (i3).—Among the many useful items to be found on this stand is a distance recorder, which has proved an invaluable attachment tu commercial vehicles, as a check upon their mileage. The recorder is made with, or without, a trip register, and it can be obtained to read either in miles or kilometres. The instrument is fitted to the off-side front wheel. Its action is positive, and entirely self-contained; it has a very neat appearance in use. The price of the indicator, without the trip attachment, is L-2 tos., xvhils1 the complete instrunINIt, fitted with trip, is L3 ss. Another exceedingly neat device is the electrical speed indicator, which is shown by this company. It consists, essentially, of two parts : the indicator and a small magneto machine. The indicator is, in reality, a dead-beat voltmeter, i he face of which is graduated in miles, and this is supplied with current from the magneto. The armature of the magneto is driven by a rubber band passing over an aluminium pulley attached to the spokes of the front wheel. The voltage of One dynamo, and, therefore, the readings on the dial of the voltmeter, are in direct proportion to the speed at which the vehicle is running. The indicator is connected to the magneto by one wire; hence, there is no mechanical connection between the two portions. The indicatot• is made in two sizes. The smaller pattern is 2 inches in diameter, and can be affixed to the steering wbeel; the larger model is 4 inches in diameter, and is designed to be bolted to the dash. The magneto is the same size for both the above patterns, and is easily mounted upon the steering arm by clamps. The prices are : Two-inch size, £4 15s. ; 4-inch pattern, X.:",5 De Dion, Bouton, Ltd., makes it speciality of lubricating oils for all classes of engines, and for general purpose,. The oils are packed in various quantities to suit purchasers' requirements. Some of the most usual sizes are : quarter, half, one, and four gallons. and these are put up in strong, attractive, screw-topped cans. The Company