THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR EXHIBITION.
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Olympia, London, Houses the Most Comprehensive Gathering of Goods and Passengercarrying Vehicles Ever Brought Together.
AFTER A LAPSE of over seven years—from July, 19i3, to October, 1820—the commercial, vehicle industry is once more gathered together to show of its •best, to indicate to the world that, whatever troubles may have confronted it and still confront it, there prevails no lack of enterprise, no feeling of discouragement or unc.ertaintly as to the future of the trade.. The returned war vehicle laas created somewhat of a problem because it ansWers -the purpose of a certain class of buyer. Long before hostilities ended, or the end was even in sight, the problem was greatly disturbing the industry, • which foreshadowed nearly a complete stoppage of. mamifacture until the war surplus had been. absorbed. But, in the outcome, the effect has, so far, been infinitely. less because. of the general dislike of second-hand goads among the most important concerns requiring transport vehicles. And that dislike is rosonable; because of the loss of the maker's guarantee, or • its qualification, and of the added cost of maintenance.
The Show at Olympia would not be making the important appeal that it is doing, if the problem of the second-hand vehicle had net become relegated to the background. Throughout the exhibition there is evidence of the desire to take advantage in chassis design of the lessons learned in the war, but, at the same time, there is an entire absence of any violent changes—actually a testimony to the excellence of pre-war design.. Provision for electric lighting and power for starting is much more general ; there is a decided movement forward of the driver's seat for the purpos.e of increasing loading space both in goods and passenger vehicles, Worm drive has made headway, and pneumatics in large sizes have gained a promising grip on wheels. The steam vehicle is improving rapidly. There is a refining influence at work. The adoption of engi• Leering practices, common in the petrol vehicle world; is spreading to the steam vehicle makers ; the under-, , type of steamer is gaining new adherents among makers and designers, ancl.new over-types and improved models are found on all hands. The steam vehicle offers advantages over the petrol vehicle in certain circumstances, and for certain classes of work.
It is giving evidence of much healthy 'rigour. : • The electric vehicle is not making such rapid headway 'as" AS t6 road companions, but when electricity .-has entered more into the lives of the people (we are backward • nation in this respect), and current is • Amore generally available, this defect will be remedied. Ah entirely new make of electric vehicle is displayed for the fifst. tinie. It has many interesting features, not only of Cab design but of transmission, the unsprung weight being particularly small.
To the body section,we would specially direct the attention of visitors. There is much original. idea ' here ; full evidence of individuality and of an appreciation of the needs of •passengers and the requirements for goods transport is given on stand after stand. The tubular-framed char-a-bares body Is marvel of ingenuity: everywhere are to be seen the results:of efforts to reduce body weight, whilst providing strong puperstructures.
In the galleries there is, as over, much to interest ^.-and to arrest the. attention. In fact, .a round of the ••• galleries can be an education :in itself.
The Show opened on Friday last, and will remain open until Saturday next ; the hours being 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the price of admission being 2s. ,ekl., except on Saturday, when it is is. 3c1;