Factory ear testing is indeed becoming highly sp ec i a li zed and scientific.
Even with productions made in big quantities and where the price is necessarily cut as low as possible an appreciable amount -of trial and running-in are nom done. Such operations naturally .cost money, and that is the reason why the owner of an inexpensive car has: to be more earefia with his machine during- its initial life if he is to -lay tit foundations of a good constitution. 'Many British nianufse. turers go to great pains over testing and also to testing the chassis after the engine has been passed. An instance which may be quoted is the Humber Nine. . As soon as a chassis completed it is fitted with a pair of " slave " rear wheels. It - is. then mounted so that each otthese wheels bears on a pair of - rollers connected with large dynamos." -After the engine has been warmed up in neutral, second gear- is engaged and the car is run light for an hour. Top gear is then employed for an hour under load but at -half throttle. After this the car is run all out on top for two hours. During this time electrical readings of the power transmitted by the back wheels are taken. A definite power output for each chassis must be recorded, and the transmission has to conform to a standard degree of quietness. During the test the chassis is loaded with a weight equal to that of the body and a full complement of driver and passengers. With a test of this sort an examination can be made -which would • be impossible on the- road. This system also has the advantage that it conduces to efficiency. as any. fault discovered reflects_ discredit on the department concerned.
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