Motors and Motoring
The zo h.p. Swift Sports Saloon THE 10 h.p. Swift sports saloon is a small car which should appeal to the man or woman who wants comfort combined with economy and speed with flexibility.
The chassis mechanism is on simple lines and comprises a 4-cylinder engine of 1190 c.c. a 4-speed off side changed gear- box, and a spiral bevel driven rear axle. The bore and stroke of the engine are 62.5 and 97 mm. and the Treasury rating being 9.7 h.p. the tax is £10 a year. The crankshaft runs in three bearings and both crankshaft and camshaft, bearings have forced lubrication by gear pump. The camshaft is gear- driven and the generator and magneto, which are on the off side, are rotated by chain. This part can be adjusted extern- ally by moving the dynamo. The make-and-break of the magneto, which is above the generator can just be seen directly. There is a drip shield below the carburettor which is above the magneto. Petrol is stored in a tank in the scuttle and the filler is under the bonnet. There is no gauze here, neither is . there any petrol gauge on the car, but in daylight one can see into the tank. The carburettor is held to the cylinder block and is sufficiently handy. The steering box contains worm and nut and there is a large filler for oil replenishment. It is possible to regulate the rake of the column. The valves are on the near side -and with the tappet cover plate removed; by undoing two nuts, free access is afforded for regulation of clearance. The tappets are automatically lubricated by mist. There is a good-sized oil filler and the lid has a dipper gauge rod, but there is no filter here. The main oil strainer, however, can be taken out at the side of the sump where there is a big plug. The oil can be run off at this -point. The starter is spigoted in to the front of the clutch housing and is therefore accessible under the bonnet. The cooling water circulates naturally through a film pattern of radiator which is carried on the cross member. No fan is supplied for use in this country but one is fitted where the cars are exported. The water can be run off by turning a tap. It is not difficult to lift the cylinder head nor to unscrew the sparking plugs. The wheel brace, oil can, and jack are carried on the dash under the bonnet.
A New Gear-box.
Unit assembly has been adopted for engine, clutch and gear-box, together with four-point suspension. There is a good-sized inspection plate on the top of the clutch housing face. Lubrication of the single plate clutch bearings must be -done by hand. The clutch springs can be altered and the pedal can be adjusted both for travel and for length. There are lubricators for the clutch shaft bearings. 'A new gear-box has been incorporated in the chassis for this year and the addition_ of a fourth speed is an advantage. The forward ratios are, 5, 7.95, 13.45, and 21.4 to one. The speeds are Changed by a lever which works in a visible gate on the off side, and there is a stop to prevent reverse being accidentally engaged. The lid of the box can be taken off when it is desired to add some oil, although finger and thumb nuts would be handier than those at present used. An open propellor shaft, with Hardy disc joints and a spline forward, passes the poiver to the back axle, and torque is taken by a separate member—a method which is not much used nowadays. It is an asset that the mesh of the bevel pinion and crown wheel .can be altered externally. The axle case is of banjo shape which facilitates removal of the gear and there is a level filler. The chassis springs at the beck are quarter elliptical and are shackled at the rear ends. The anchorage has been improved on that formerly employed. The springs forward arc half 'elliptical and are practically flat-set. They might have stops at the back. The four springs work with shock absorbers. This chassis has four brakes, the four being brought into Action by pedal and the back brakes only by a hand lever. Adjustment can be made on the end of the rods individually, the drums are enclosed, and the front and back sets are balanced for the four-wheel braking. The front axle has oval ends, the better to withstand the torsional stress of braking, and the operating spindles of the brakes here have anchorage to the under side of the axle.
This model, which is known as the " Fleetwing,” is a four. seater of the fashionable sloping fabric-covered saloon type. The machine is neat and attractive to look at and with its pneumatic cushions and squabs gives a good measure of comfort. There are two wide doors on either side and the four glasses in them can be wound fully down. The complete price of £295 includes wire wheels and Splintex reinforced glass. A well in the back floor gives additional room and serves as a foot rest, while the front seats are each adjustable. As the end of the car slopes slightly forward, it might be better to arrange the blind- somewhat differently so that It would give more head clearance by the roof. Entrance by the driver's doorway is possible; although the speed and handbrake levers- somewhat restrict access - to- the seat. The other doorways give :good room. The front screen is in one piece, and can be opetie Sufficiently to get a direct view of the road. "_ The equipmefit includes luggage grid, roof lamps; and roof ventilator, and-there-is a cupboard
either side of the instrument board. _ - On the Road.
The wheelbase of this Ten is 8 ft. 6 - ins. The track is 3 ft. 10 ins:, and in these -time* of garaging difficulty it may be of interest to state that the height of the saloon is 5 ft. 2 ins., in fact this is the maximum height not only of the fabric type WV of the sun-orshade saloon arid of the coach- built one also. These last: two Migrant " and the " Nomad "—sell at £270 and 1260 respe-ctively. The chassis price is 1175, and the two and fOur-seater open cars and the coupe are listed at £220, £220, and £235 :respectively. The overall length is about 12 ft. 3 ins. ,and the measure 27 by 4:4 ins.- - The -front floorboard - is-. made to take out easily and below it is the bitteFy. The spare wheel is kept in front of the folding grid. - On the -`road the "Fleetwing " gives a good all4ound performance, and a charm which will appeal-to Many is that id:SPite of having Mit a comparatively small engine, four gears, and a good turn of speed; the car is flexible add pleasing to Control, arid although- it is a sports model, the driver who: does not alWays want to be changing gear need not 'do so. The 'engine is well balanced on the whole, and there is but a small amount of over-run, which produces a little noise from the petrol tank. There is plenty of liveliness in-the machine and the loWer gears were reasonably - quiet. On the :trial,- both chitch and change-Speed actions were pleasing and the-brakes were effective-. Quarter elliptical suspension nearly, alwayS alloWs some wheel bidunce on a rough road, but for the size of the car And for the half load— there" were two persons,-on boardI can pass the suspension as being very fair. I ave no particular faults to find with the steering. - The cooling arrangements were satisfactory. The MaChine, -WithOut trying to get the 'last ounce out of the engine,- will do about 55, '40, and 25 miles an hour on top, third, - And second—speeda which speak of efficiency in a salodnrof under 1,200 e.c. engine capAcity. Under conditions whiCh- were not at all favourable; A severe climb of about 1 in 8 was Undertaken successfully on second speed, and some 20 miles -an:hour :was steadily -kept - up. It -will be seen, then, that this Swift saloon has ample power for its class, both for speed- on the open road and for facing loads in hilly- districts.
-YOUR MOTORING CORRESPONDENT.
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