Keen competition boost omponents show
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VIANY NEW PRODUCTS can be ;een at the annual autoquip exlibition, which will be opened at loon on Sunday (March 1) by -ransport secretary Norman 'owler at Wembley Conference ;entre. There is keen competiion among component and ccessory manufacturers, desrite the recession — or perhaps ecause of it.
Last year the show attracted round 4,000 visitors from home nd abroad, and the Society of lotor Manufacturers and Tradrs, which organises the exhibion, says that visitor pre-regisations this year again reflect :rong interest.
Fram Europe Ltd, stand 19 known for its range of filt-s, is exhibiting a new range of utolite spark plugs for the first -ne. 74 plugs in the range cover -le to seven heat ranges. Fram aims to cater for all UK and -Toned vehicles.
These spark plugs have highrisityceramic insulators;multi) design which cuts down flalover; hot-press assembly; ic gasket resistor seals to event gas leakage; a tip dered to stay clean for longer an normal; rolled threads; and ugh nickel alloy electrode.
The Autolite plugs were deloped by Fram's parent cornTry, the USA-based Bendix Kporation, following its acquiion of the product name in 73.
Additions to the Fram range of ers include ones for Ford ansits, H-Series and D-Series d most Bedford TKs.
Vlore spark plugs are very ich in evidence at NGK (stand 1) where the company is emasising that it was the originaof volume production of copcore plugs 20 years ago. Iile copper is more expensive in iron, it gives a better sparkrg core material because of its Trnal conductivity properties. or the first time at a British ibition NGK, is showing its rv ignition cable which has a ss-fibre strand core covered a layer of ferrite magnetic terial wrapped with variable ;hed metal wire. The outer cet makes the cable heat reant up to 200°C says NGK, le the core has an electrical stance lower than carbon. you need information on rk-plug gaps, ignition timing, Ideed any tune-up or service cification, then stand 143 is th a visit. Autodata Ltd is flaying its complete range of
DIY car repair manuals and the latest Autodata technical publications — the 1981 technical data manual giving tune-up and service specifications for over 1000 cars and light commercials and diesels; the Autodata car service guide; a brake testing weights chart; and frame dimensions and wheel alignment manuals.
Two familiar names in the Italian automotive component industry parade on stand 157, occupied by Fister Ltd, sole importer of Fister windscreenwiper products and petrol filler caps, and Magneti Marelli spark plugs.
There are two 711mm (28in) cv wiper blades in the Fister range, one designed as a replacement for bus and coach applications, the other for lorries.
The three new wiper arms are all adjustable in length, with two of them having adjustable crank angles. Between them, these three arms are said to be suitable for over 80 per cent of British-built cv.
West German manufacturer Sonnenschein, displays its complete range of low-maintenance batteries at Autoquip on stand 63. As from January this year, all Sonnenschein car and cv batteries carry a three-year guarantee.
Smiths Industries have chosen Autoquip to launch a number of new accessories on stand 65 on the ground level. The TC-15 car computer, for instance, uses a microprocessor which computes and displays information during any journey on up to ten functions including miles per gallon, average speed, elapsed time, journey distance remaining, and estimated time of arrival.
Also on display is a specially designed relay wiring system for motor accessories. This junction-box system enables accessories to be wired safely and easily through a single feed to the ignition switch.
Other new Smith products at the Show include a new range of screenwasher pumps, the ATMO6 tachometer, and highpowered Brinkman spotlights with beams which, it is claimed, can reach distances of up to one mile.
One of Smith Industries major competitors is Lucas on stand 77 Lucas Service UK displays a similar" product range. The new Lucas 20-20 fog and driving lamps are on show which have
"homofocal" stepped relectors claimed to collect light more accurately than conventional relectors.
The Lucas car computer is also being shown at Autoquip for the first time. The ubiquitous microprocessor appears again in this unit which can give the driver information about his driving technique and the car's performance, and so help achieve maximum fuel economy.
Silicon-chip electronics are used again by Lucas for its new anti-theft system. The chip constantly monitors voltage changes in the vehicle's electrical system, and activates an alarm in the event of unauthorised entry.
Lucas are displaying more new products in the shape of their electronic ignition 15W/40 premium multigrade engine oil, and the Lucas heavy duty battery discharge tester.
Gabriel, part of the Maremont Corporation of Chicago, claims
to be the world's largest mani facturer of shock absorbers, an the theme of its display on th GP Automotive stand (151) "the danger of worn shock al sorbers". A demonstration un is used to give visitors a clez comparison between a wor shock absorber and regular, firr and extra firm settings.
A second demonstration un is being used to illustrate th function of Gabriel's Hi-Jacker.: which are air-adjustable shoc absorbers.
GP Automotive is the Ul distributor for Gabriel, operatin■ from five regional warehouse — Paisley, Chorley, Leeds Kidderminster, and Enfield.
On stand 58, Big J Auto Part; Ltd, of Leighton Buzzard is ex
hibiting its range of off roe( equipment including crash bars light guards and winches. Th( new white eight-spoke wheel tc fit Land Rover, Range Rover, Su zuki, Toyota and Lada/Niva also on display.
This wheel bolts on with nc nodifications and accepts the Aandard-sized tyre. It is also wailable finished in chrome. Being shown for the first time 3re long range fuel tanks for the and Rover and Range Rover 3nd new louvred light grilles for :he Range Rover.
The name Kenlowe has been associated with thermostatically controlled fans for cars for over 20 years.
This year on stand 161 at Autoquip, Kenlowe is exhibiting for the first time 'high-output' large-capacity fans suitable for larger cv.
Also on show is Kenlowe's 'Unifan' which is one basic model to suit all cars and light commercial vehicles, designed with the fleet manager in mind who may want to transfer equipment from one vehicle to another.
Kenlowe technicians are in attendance on the stand to advise on suitable applications and explain the advantages of the various systems. V.C. Saunders Ltd (stand 75), a London firm, makes the Lampguard, an anti-theft device for Cibie auxiliary lamps and a range of flagstaffs for diplomatic or ceremonial cars. Incidentally it's also displaying new dog guards for both the new Ford Escort and the Mini Metro.
A new Cibie lamp is unveiled on stand 147 at this year's Autoquip, but SEV (UK) Ltd has not yet released details of it.
SEV (UK) Ltd was formed at the beginning of this year when the three British subsidiaries of the SEV Group in France — Cibe, Marchal and Paris — Rhone — were amalgamated as part of a much larger restructuring within the recently formed Valeo group of companies.
In addition to the new lamp, SEV is displaying examples from the complete range of Cibie auxiliary lamps including Oscar, Oscar Plus and Super Oscar rally lamps.
Crosland, the Nottingham
based international filter company, is exhibiting a wide range of its air, oil and fuel filters for the automotive and allied trades.
The Crosland range of over 1,200 different types now covers around 30,000 applications and details of new filters added to the range from Crosland staff on stand 71.
Stand 29 at the Autoquip exhibition is occupied by Motaproducts Automotive Ltd of Kings Norton. Moprod's product range has been expanded over the past year and several of the new products are on display these include the MPK5 brake adjuster, nylon clutch hoses — a 36-part range covering all major models fitted hydraulic clutch operation, Moprod's gasket, and mechanical and electrical fuel pumps.
Autoquip is open from noon to 1800 hours on Sunday; 0930 to 1900 hours on Monday and Tuesday; 0930 to 2000 hours on Wednesday; and 0930 to 1700 hours on Thursday March 5, when it closes.