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Passing Comments
Page 42
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Borrowing from Britain
I T is somewhat amusing to find that an American writer, describing almost lyrically the performance of a new American Greyhound bus, had to compare its easy handling with that of a Jaguar car. This is at least some indication of the way in which products of our motor industry are gaining an excellent reputation in the States, for in the mind of this journalist, the Jaguar obviously took premier place
East Kent Throw Their Weight
BRIEF reference was made recently to the two new East Kent Europabus coaches. These vehicles, with their A.E.C. Reliance chassis, are particularly notable because of their light weight, which applies also to the Beadle bodies. For example, the Continental touring model, although having the latest and luxurious Chapman individual, adjustable seats, weighs only 6 tons 11 cwt. 2 qr., the complete body scaling only 2 tons, It is, nevertheless, robust and nothing has been skimped, the low weight being achieved by a combination of good design and ligh talloy framing, whilst even the tubular parcel racks are of anodized light alloy.
The interior finish, with concealed fixings, is in a combination of walnut and buff linette Formica, and the roof linings are in cream Vynide. The front off-side emergency door has a hinged step operated R8 automatically on opening and giving easy access for Continental work requiring a right-hand door.
The express service 36-seat coach operated between London and Dover by East Kent has a tape-player which can aid the English hostess by giving a route commentary in at least three languages. This vehicle weighs only 6 tons 3 cwt.
Encouraging Anglo-Swedish Trade
nNE of the most important links in the trade between Britain and Sweden is the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the United Kingdom. gor 50 years those connected with it have been endeavouring to strengthen the ties, to the advantage of both countries, and this work is being most ably carried on by the present general secretary, Mr. E. Kihlstedt, who assumed that appointment in 1945, although previously working on an honorary basis.
The Chamber has had many vicissitudes and at one time almost lost its premises, in Trinity Square, London, E.C.3, owing to an ill-advised road-planning scheme, whilst, in the early days, its finances were somewhat precarious.
During the last war it offered accommodation to the Elder Brethren of Trinity House, after this had been bombed, and the Chamber's stall was then reduced to four: Now it even possesses a fine restaurant, furnished in Swedish style and much appreciated by favoured guests.
Mr. Kihlstedt has always been keenly interested in
road transport and has on occasions consulted The Commercial Motor regarding opportunities of Swedish trade here. He alsohad much to do with the success of the visit to Sweden paid, soon after the war, by over 50 members of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers, and the return visit to England by 44 Swedish operators.
A highlight in the Chamber's activities was the production in April of its Jubilee issue of the AngloSwedish Review, which dealt largely with the history of the trade between the two countries and of the Chamber of Commerce, but also included a fascinating selection of articles concerning mutual and cultural relations; aspects of Swedish industries; Britain as a market for Swedish products; the history of Tower Hill and of the Port of London and the experiences of Swedish travellers in Britain.
Students must also have found much of interest in a biographical study of Queen Elizabeth, some new material on the great fire of London in 1666, and the story of the large participation by Scottish soldiers, mainly in the army of Gustavus Adolphus, when a now-peace-loving Sweden was fighting many battles.
Australia as Parts Supplier
THE largest producers of spare parts and motor1 ' vehicle equipment in the Southern Hemisphere. Repco, Ltd., 618 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Australia, are to open an office in London under the control of an Australian, Mr. R. Paddon.
The company constitute a large group with manufacturing divisions possessing 12 modern plants covering the production, of many specialized and wellknown British and American parts, equipment and tools. Associate companies, owned jointly with Kirkstall Forge Engineering Ltd., Engineering Components, Ltd., and Super Oil Seals, Ltd., also manufacture in Australia such parts as axles, engine gaskets and oil seals.
Repco are leading exporters of motor products to most of the Commonwealth countries. They were incorporated in 1937 and have grown from 500 employees to 3,345, whilst the capital is over E2m., the investment in plant and machinery alone representing nearly Lim. They will be exhibiting at this year's Motor Show at Earls Court, London.