22 m.p.g. from a 30-cwt. Lorry.
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INDIVIDUAL performances are a useful criterion of the capabilities of a particular make or type of motor vehicle. Although the circumstances of use may be as favourable as they can be, the fact that a vehicle is doing hard work efficiently and economically is not only gratifying to its user, but, in cases where the owner is willing to make known his satisfaction, can be turned to advantage by -other users. They can compare running costs and other records and thus may be able to secure even better results from their own machines.
It is, of course, impossible to set a standard of efficiency to whieh all vehicles of the same make and type are expected to attain, for each has characteristics which are its own and which are only apparent when the machines are in the hands of certain drivers. Nevertheless, we are certain that many users of the type Al 30-cwt. Thornycroft chassis will be interested in the service given by a Miry of this class which was delivered to Thos. Moscrop and Co., Ltd., of Bolton, in August, 1925. The vehicle is ordinarily used for the transport of supplies of Lion motor oil, which is refined and blended by the camPany, but during the summer months of last year it was adapted for advertising purposes. It toured many parts of -the country on this work and, amongst other activities, took part in the trades' procession at Portsmouth, which was held during the visit of the French fleet to that seaport.
The mileage recorded since the vehicle was first put into service has now passed the 40,000 mark. One might have thought that with this high mileage to its credit the vehicle would have called for certain replacements and repairs to be made, but the user tells us that the total cost of repairs during the past 2i years has been cnly 19s. 4d., divided as follows :—Broken oil pipe, 35. 4d. ; carburetter repairs, Is. 3d.; two sparking plugs, 6s. 8d.; one joint, 2s. id.
The Dunlop tyre on the near-side front wheel hasnot been removed during the whole period of employment of the vehicle and is still in use, whilst two of the original Lodge sparking plugs are, we are told, firing as well as ever, and the other two plugs have been in use for over 36,000 miles.
A feature that is particularly noteworthy is the fuel return. From records which the user has kept, it has been ascertained that the vehicle has given an average running of 22 miles to the gallon of Motor spirit consumed, whilst, • se far as oil consumption is .concerned, 480 miles have been run on each gallon, the oil which is used being, of course, the maker's own product.
The driver takes great pride in the. appearance of the vehicle and to him, as well as the maker and user, much credit is due for its excellent running.