Motoring Notes
Standard Ensign Six
THE Standard Motor Co. make three cars, of nine, sixteen, and twenty horse-power. The Ensign is a six cylinder 16 h.p., and the four speed saloon costs £275 complete.
As I consider the road performance of this car is of greater interest than details of coachwork, I propose to deal with that first. The engine has six cylinders with side valves, and the tax is £16 ; from the very smooth but efficient way it runs, one might imagine that the horse power was in the neighbourhood of twenty-five. The acceleration is good at all normal speeds, but it is so quiet and effortless that one is deceived into thinking there is but little.
The top gear of this car is 4.66 to 1, and the maximum speed is not much more than a mile a minute, and top speed on third from forty-five to fifty. At the same time after driving for a short time, such was the quietness and smoothness of the engine, that it was surprising to find the needle always round the fifty mark. This is just the thing that makes a long journey a pleasure, and does not tire ; if you combine this invaluable quality with a gear change on which the positions are well marked, and which any novice could master after a few minutes, you have a very pleasant and efficient car to drive. There are four speeds, but it is seldom necessary to use more than top and third ; a useful third giving all the get away " you want for traffic, or for any ordinary hill.
There seems to be no period of vibration in the engine, or rather I should say that it has been so successfully damped out as not to be noticeable. The engine throttle is very light ; the clutch equally so, and with the very simple gear change I have already mentioned, there is an impression of smoothness which is most unusual in cars at anything like this price.
The silent third speed is not silent, but it is not noisy ; there is just that sound and feel which indicates third gear without being at all disagreeable. I think the brakes, good as they are, could be a little more powerful with a little less effort in applying them. I could find no fault with the steering, or with the springing. The springs are all seini-ellipties, assisted by Luvac shock absorbers. Taking the car over one of the very worst roads did not disclose any weaknesses, and indeed the car stood the test remarkably well ; all this seems rather good value for the price asked.
For the technically minded I must here insert a few details about the chassis. The engine, gearbox and clutch are of unit construction, and the wheelbase, track and ground clearance are 9 ft. 1 in., 4 ft. and 81 in. The height of the saloon itself is only 5 ft. 8 in., but still there is plenty of head room.
The crankshaft runs in seven bearings, and the tappet valves are open to the crank case and get automatic lubrication. The ignition is by coil and batteries which are accessible under the front seats. The oil pump is outside the crankcase, and the drive for the petrol pump is taken from here. There is a glass filter for the petrol which comes from a tank at the rear of the chassis and which holds nine gallons. On the steering wheel are finger-tip controls for the spark, throttle; and lighting and charging ; all these are dearly marked, and there is a position for what is called " Half charge " for summer work, when the lights are seldom used.
On this car all the controls, &c., are-well marked, so that no one who can drive a car should have the slightest difficulty in going straight off in the Ensign Six, and, furthermore, enjoying the experience.
No attempt seems to have been made to simplify the lubri- catkin of the chassis, but, after all, to go round a number of quite obvious nipples with a grease gun at somewhat infrequent intervals should not be too much for the ordinary owner-driver. Finally, as regards driving this car : it,is not possible to see the near side front wing at all ; its position hai to be guessed at ; apart from this the driving position is very con- venient and comfortable, and all the controls are just where one wants them. I fear, however, I must take exception to the position of the hand brake lever, which might well be improved.
Previous page
