A COMPETITION FOR COACH DRIVERS.
Page 17
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Generous Prizes for Those Who Are at the Fount of Knowledge and Can Help in our Better Coach" Campaign.
WE REPEAT the announcement, made in our last issue, of a new competition which is aimed at the elucidation of the question as to the lines to be followed in, the improvement of
the motor coach. .
The coach of the present day is in every way an excellent vehicle, but we think that it is only in its early stages of development and that there is seope for very material advances. But the man (or woman) who has most at stake in this matter, the passenger whose personal comfort and convenience are affected, is a silent factor. He (or she) may not form any definite conclusions upon his (or her) likes and dislikes until the journey is over and done with, and by then the chance of listening to any complaints or sug-gestions has gone In the case of the private motorist who is in touch with the maker or the agent, the transmission of ideas is rendered feasible by the circumstances of the case, but, in the case of the motor coach user, whether occasional or habitual, it is extremely difficult.
The driver of the motor coach, however, is in touch with the passenger, for a day, a week, or even for two, three, or four weeks and if he is "on his job," he should be able to lead the passenger on to talk, should keep his ears and eyes open for ideas and suggestions. He should be able to form his own opinions and to glean valuable information about the coach which he drives. He has the opportunity of getting valuable first-hand experienee—experience which the designer, the draughtsman, and the works manager never get, because they never take the wheel of a coach throughout a long trip, and, in all probability, never even make a journey of longer than a few minutes in a motor coach. We told the representative of a well-known firm of coach chassis
• builders a simple fact which came within our experience a few weeks ago when riding as a passenger in a motor eoach, and he admitted that be had never realized the possibility. Which goes to show that the coach builder is like the doctor and the lawyer—
they never take their own medicine! .. Not only on the road and in the course of talks with passengers can the driver learn the needs of the coach and its patrons, but in the garage he is able to see just how his vehicle is standing up to its work. He can judge from the wear of clutch and brake surfaces, universal joints, tyres, and steering gear whether each and every detail is suitably proportioned. He will have his ideas upon requisite . power, suitable gear ratios, and so forth.
It is because the driver is at the fount of all this 'knowledge that The Commercial Motor wants drivers far and wide to help in the campaign for better coaches. .
The competition is a simple one. All that a driver has to do is to write a short letter giving his ideas under this heading, "How I Think My Coach Could Be Improved,' and then to fill in the coupon printed on this page, and send it, with the letter, to The Editor of The Commercial Motor, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C. 1, marking the envelope "Coach Competition " (do not forget that).
For the letter which, in the opinion of the Editor; contains the best suggestions, a prize of 210 will be awarded. The second and third best letters will secure prizes of 15 and .13 respectively, whilst we shall give ten consolation prizes of .21 -each to the writers of the best letters who do not receive prizes.
No one need hesitate to enter because he "'is not much of a hand at letter writing:" We are quite prepared to put his letter into shape for publication. It is the ideas and suggestions that will count—not the literary quality of the composition. We shall keep the competition open ;for a, few weeks and, later on, will announce the closing date, giving our readers ample notice. The decision of the Editor on all matters relating to the competition will be final. The winning letters will be published in an early subsequent issue of The Commercial Motor. The Editor also reserves the right to publish any of the letters which do not win prizes, and to pay for those published. The writers' names will appear, unless the competitor desiSea to make use of a nom de plume. _Entrants will get the full creditfor their suggestions and their enterprise. We are not out to " crib" your ideas. We want you to help us in our campaign, and we will help you. To get your letter in The Commercial Motor will be a distinction. You will stand out from the ordinary crowd.
Moreover, you can be as critical as you like, because we shall not divulge the make of the vehicle you drive—only its specification. We do not want remarks that are merely complimentary, and we do not want just grouses. We want constructive criticism—suggestions that will help either towards better chassis or improved coachwork.
In the provision of luggage accommodation that, whilst being ample for the needs of passengers, does not entail excessive overhang ; in providing better protection for the passengers.; in the devising of comfortable seating; in the improvement of the entrance and exit, and in numbers of other directions there is scope for a great deal of advancement. Do not say to yourself—" I expect somebody has already thought of that idea!" Perhaps they have, but, very likely, they have not put it into effect or written about it! You never know.
Write to us on any point on which you may be in doubt. Tell your mates of the competition, and endeavour, by co-operation .and by the pooling of ideas, to make your joint effort the one that shall be so full of good suggestions that it is bound to be a prize-winner.,