THE "BETTER COACH" CAMPAIGN.
Page 16
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Growing Interest—Drivers' Ideas for Coach Improvements.
WIIEN WE initiated The Commercial Motor Coach Competition, two weeks ago, we were
confident that drivers, all over the country, would have formed very definite opinions about the coaches they are driving, and would have many useful suggestions to offer as to their improvement in various ways.
Apparently, our confidence was justified, because, only a few days after. the announcement had been made, the first letters containing enterprising drivers' ideas on coach improvement started coming in. There is still plenty of time for other drivers to compete.
Everyone vill stand an equal chance of winning the prizes, because it is ideas, not ability in letterwriting, that will count.
All that a driver has to do is to Write a short letter under this heading, "How I Think My Coal 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."
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 25 and 23 respectively, whilst-we shall give ten consolation prizes of 21 each to the writers of the best letters, who do not receive one of the first three prizes. .
The decision of the Editor on all matters relating to the competition will be final. The winning letters
will be published in an early issue of The Commercial Motor subsequent to the closing date, which will be announced later, and 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 desires to make use of a nom-de-plume.
The Drivers' Ideas on Coach Improvement.
This is a great opportunity for the enterprising man of ideas to make a name for himself. Many thought's pass through the driver's mind as he negotiates his coach along the roads: A chance incident,' the remark of a passenger, or a difficulty of some sort in the garage, gives rise to a bright idea.
Possibly, the -driver has no opportunity of getting into contact, with anyone who could put that idea
into practice. The Commercial Motor wants to give him that opportunity. This-Journal has a large circulation, and manufacturers, designers, coach owners, and all sortS. of influential people read it.
What we want to do is to unearth all the valuable ideas on coach improvement that we can, for the benefit of the industry and all the workers in it, and
to place them on record so that they are not lost. Iii. is only in this way—by obtaining a consensus of opinion—by pooling ideas—that real progress will be
made. Entrants for our competition will get full credit for their suggestions and their enterprise. We
are not out to "crib "your ideas—only to make them known. Most men with ideas seek an outlet for them. Let The Commercial Motor be your outlet.
You can be as critical as you like, because we shall not divulge the make of the vehicle you drive—only its specification,We want you to give constructive criticism, and make practical suggestions which will be of real value.
020 Have you considered the question of safety? It is a most important matter. Do you think your brakes good enough—or should their diameter be increased?. If it is necessary to renew the brake lining very frequently, that may be the case. , If you drive in a hilly district, perhaps water-cooled brake drums might be an improvement. Have you considered that?
What about sprags?: Would you find one useful ?
On a long run, does the driving of your _coach fatigue you unduly'? Perhaps the steering is rather heavy. What do you think about that
Solving the Luggage Problem.
Do you experience difficulty in stowing the luggage your passengers wish to ca-rry in the accommodation provided? Possibly you have ideas how this might be increased without unsightliness or much additional expense.
Some drivers may have experience of pneumatictyred coaches and be able to throw useful light on
the suitability of the air-filled tyre. When new, such tyres may be delightful, but what does the driver think when he has to change a damaged pneumatic by the roadside ? The size of a coach is an important matter. Some people mainfain that most coaches are too big and unwieldy. What do the drivers think/ They should have views at to ease of manipulation, and so on.
These are just a few of. the points on which the driver's opinion may be of value.
Write to us on any point on Which you may be in doubt. Tell your mates of the competition, and dis cuss it with theta. Two heads, sometimes,. are better
than one. Read your copy of The Commercial Motor every week. We shall tell you in it how the compe tition is progressing. There is still plenty of time, so go carefully into all ideas that occur to you, and then send us a letter brim-full 'of 'suggestions.