Passing Comments
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Welded "Channel" Side-Int:Others
A N intriguing example of frame design on a heavy " vehicle was seen at the Swiss Show. To all outward appearance the side-members were of the normal type, of pressed channeksection steel tapering to the ends. Closer examination within the channel showed that the material employed was angle-steel members weldedtogether, and where greater `depth was required, a tapered piece of sheet metal had been inserted, thus avoiding the great expense of dies for, possibly, a few off.
Scope for a car-coach?
DUR1NG a chat at Geneva With Cot.Carl Petersen, of the Union Internationale des Transports Routiers, he expressed the opinion that there was a great future for the "private ear-curn.coach, designed to carry seven passengers. He thought that this would be ideal for many purposes and, normally, would avoid many of the legal restrictions on a vehicle of larger capacity. For small parties, it would. often save the rntick more costly running of even a small coach proper 7tnd 'would be able to travel legally M a higher speed,
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whilst many passengers who dislike large parties and might prefer the company of a few friends, would appreciate the " private " nature of such travel. As . compared with operating a larger vehicle with a full . load, however, the cost per person would obviously be higher.
More Light on the. Lail.'
A-USEFUL little book on the .1aW for all who use goods vehicles has beea published by Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., and copies are available .at ls. from over 400 Bedford dealers -in the United Kingdom. As was the case 'with a publication Of . this type issued by the Vauxhall concern before the war, it is put into the form of questions and answers. The answers are•purely "popular" explanations of complex legal matters and the courts may place their own interpretation upon the actual Acts and Regulations, but this applies to any effort .made in this direction, whether by a man in the legal profession or a mere layman. The book is entitled "Light on the Law," but part of it may also be described as 'Law on the Light."A useful Andes to the subjects: of the questions is added.
Road Tunnel Through Mont Blanc
A CCORDING to the recent report of the Inter national Road Federation, work on the express motor road tunnel through Mont Blanc should begin this spring. This French tunnel will be eight miles long, will take about three years to complete, and may cost over Om. It will have four traffic lanes. The transit time for motor vehicles will average 15 minutes and the average toll proposed for them is 10s. 6d. It is interesting to note, that this tunnel will be three times longer than our Mersey Tunnel.
"The Motor" Year Book
WHEN men foregather, there are three topics which inevitably enter their talk. Two of these are "'shop," which depends on their occupations, and motoring. . Anyone who wishes to become well informed on the second can hardly do better than peruse the pages of "The Motor-" Year Book 1952, by L. Pomeroy and R. L. de Burgh VValkerley, published by Temple• Press Ltd., Bowling Green Lane, London, E.C.1, at I5s. or 15s. 9d. by post.
This book contains detailed descriptions of 11 new British and 10 new foreign cars, accounts of the past year's racing and leading motor shows, and a section on foreign touring. The seeker after facts will enjoy his task, for the Year Book is not merely a dull collation of statistics but a compellingly readable volume. Liberally illustrated and printed on semigloss paper, it makes a worthy topic of conversation in itself.
"Arms" Astonish Geneva Visitors
MANY people inspecting the Graf and Stift coach at the Geneva Show were astonished to observe on its side a coat of arms embodying a hammer and sickle. A few asked if the vehicle -had 'some from • Russia; it seems, however, that the heraldic device in question formed part of the Imperial Arms of Austria and had nothing to do with Bolshevism.
Huge Exports of Tyres
AST year Britain manufactured over 100 tyres for export each minute of the 45-hour working week.
• The total, at 14,654,848, was more than 2m. higher than for 1950. Over half went abroad on motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles, but those exported directly brought in 00m. and inner tubes over £2m.