The Morris-Commercial Crosses the Andes
Page 55
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We are told that several types of goods vehicle were tried on the road without success, but the Director-General of Public Works has tackled successfully the problem of maintaining a motor service on this difficult route. He had tested a -well-known British vehicle—the Morris-Commercial —at a place near Quito, the President of the Republic and the Minister of Public Works being present, and MorrisCommercial six-wheelers thereafter satisfactorily negotiated the Guaranda-Riobamba road.
The altitude of Riobamba is 2,700 metres, that of Guaraudit being 2,000 metres, but in between there is the La Cima Pass, 4,200 metres above sea-level. It is reported that, even on the first trip, the MorrisCommercial did not overheat, and that by skilful use of the engine as a brake the service brakes were hardly employed. With .chains on the wheels the vehicle negotiated all sorts of obstacles. The average time for the trip is five hours, including stops, whereas transport by mules or horses occupied 24 hours, not including stops. The distance is only 60 killorns., but the gradients and hair-pin bends are extremely difficult.