Motoring Notes
The Wolseley 2-litre Six
Six-cylinder cars of about 18 h.p. are becoming deservedly popular, and at a time when there are so many foreign cars of this type which offer so much for a figure round the 1500 mark, this car, being British from start to finish, cannot fail to interest many who are wondering what to buy at the forthcoming show, and who need a standard by which to make a wise choice.
I have always found American cars particularly well equipped, and in this respect rather in advance of our own makes. In the present instance the equipment is all that can be desired, even to a very neat device for raising the rear window blind from the driving seat. There are arm rests to the rear seats, but I would like to find them supplied to the front as well.
Before I emphasize the characteristics of this standard four- door saloon a brief description of the chassis must be given. The engine has six cylinders with overhead valves and camshaft, driven by spiral bevel gear. The pistons are aluminium, the crankshaft runs in seven bearings, and unit construction has been adopted for the single-plate clutch and four-speed gear box.
Four-wheel brakes are fitted which are operated by cables and controlled by the foot ; in addition each rear-brake drum incorporates a hand-operated brake, making six in all Semi-elliptic springs are used throughout and are assisted by shock absorbers to each.
The dynamo and magnets are arranged across the engine, which makes them particularly accessible. Carburation is by an automatic equalizing carburettor, which has a hot spot to assist it, arrived at by a combined induction and exhaust branch. It is fed by a vacuum tank from a ten- gallon tank at the rear of the chassis. I am informed that the normal consumption is fully twenty miles to the gallon, so this tank seems large enough for all reasonable purposes. The tank can be filled when luggage is in position on the grid, which is a standard fitting. Most of the points which I consider of importance for comfort in driving-with one notable exception-seem to have been carefully catered for. The exception is an adjustable rake on the steering column, which, however, is seldom to be found.
I was glad to find the front seats of bucket type and inde- pendently adjustable. It does not seem to be as yet universally recognized that the bucket type of seat is the most comfortable to ride in, and also that there is no reason why the driver and the passenger beside him should be the same height.
The windscreen is divided, but the top half is very deep and gives an excellent view of the road. This is a near approach to the one-piece screen opening from the bottom, which is becoming so popular owing to the clear field of view afforded.
The gear lever is in the middle and is most convenient to the left hand ; furthermore, gear-changing really is easy, and there is a neat device which prevents reverse being engaged by mistake. Gears are marked to assist the driver and to prevent mistakes.
The hand brake occupies the minimum space possible as it is situated down at the right-hand side of the driving seat, and pulls upwards. Conveniently placed beside it is the headlamp dipper arm. This system enables the headlamps to be dipped vertically on to either side, or each lamp to different sides, -as the driver may wish, and is a fitting which I would like to find as standard on every car. To those who drive much in the country at night the importance of this device from the point of view of safety and driving comfort cannot be overestimated. An inside driving mirror is fitted-I would • like an outside one as well.
• " Owner-cleaners " will please note that all grease-caps have been brought to the outside of the chassis with the clutch as the only exception. The battery, however, is underneath the floor boards. I would prefer to have this -either on the running board or, better still, incorporated in the valance with a readily-detachable inspection cover. A battery which is under floor boards and carpet is apt to be forgotten.
There is ample room for three in the rear compartment, and even when lightly loaded the springing is very good indeed. Regarding performance on the road my first impres- sion was one of surprise, at the silence, both of the engine and also of transmission. Neither in the use of the self-starter nor of the lower gears was any harshness or noise apparent, and the engine when idling was almost inaudible.
Fifty miles an hour is the maximum on third and sixty on top gear, but the engine is very flexible and will crawl on top gear through traffic without showing signs of distress. Gear- changing is seldom necessary except for a drop to third for a normal hill, but any driver who likes using his gear box to the fullest advantage will find no difficulties, and be able to have the satisfaction of absolutely noiseless changes. The balance of the engine seems to be excellent ; there was no period of vibration apparent at any speed.
The car taken as a whole is undoubtedly one with a wide appeal, as it is up to date, very easy to control, has no fads, and is capable of sufficient speed and of maintaining it smoothly and quietly. Quiet running on third and top gear is one of the greatest factors in reducing the fatigue of a long day at the wheel, and my test of the Wolseley Six leaves me with the impression that the more it is driven the more it will be
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