Motor Show Notes

'HY BUY Now ?

There fs one salient question with regard to the autumn that should be met and answered at once. Why buy a new car now Y Why not wait until the " rains and ruins " of winter are past and bring out one's new coachwork to vie with the blossoms of spring ? The answer is that by buying now one obtains a whole year's use of a current model, whereas if one waits until the spring, only six months elapse before the 1928 models appear, with a heiify depreciation in 1927 values. This is the chief reason, but there are others. . .

SOME GOOD REASONS.'

There are both practical and philosophic reasoni:fdr buying nt the Show. Short-period licences may now be obtained, minimizing the taxation expense. Modern braking–lighting, Windshield wipers and weather equipment 'for open cars' Make winter motoring almost as enjoyable as driving in summer. Roads are less crowded at this time of year.

Look before you leap " is a good motto, but so is " if you Mean leaping, don't look long." Life is short ; since we all travel a 'dusty path to final rest we might as well journey in what comfort we can. There is such a thing as being too careful with our money and too prodigal with the years We hope to keep an the highway of existence ! - PROPHECIES.

The Light Car last week published a prophetic symposium from motor experts in regard to the motor car of the future. The experts seem to be agreed that supercharged, six-cylinder engines will come into vogue in the next ten years. Captain

• Malcom Campbell predicts a twelve-cylinder engine. Mr. S. Edge believes a type of body will be evolved which combines the virtues of the open and closed car. Mr. Gordon P',ngland considers that a light car can be made weighing about cwt., running sixty miles, per gallop, and costing £275. Major Stenson Cook, the popular secretary of the A.A., says.. be finds it " fascinating to anticipatethe advent of a vehicle t hat will draw its power from-thentlier.."7.a. carriage driven by wireless. Professor Low says that the car of the future will be used as a travelling office with comfortable armchairs and wireless. Both gear-box and steering will be servo- controlled, because " all physical effort mist be avoided in cars of the future ; to touch buttons and feel the car respond is the one remaining pleasure of driVing." He considers eight- cylinder engines will be the rule and that the engine may be _placed amidshipi or close to the rear wheels. Mr. H. F. S. Morgan predicts hydraulic four-wheeled brakes as standard equipment, and lowei chassis and larger wheelS. The general consensus of opinion is that electric gear change and front- wheel or four-wheel drive will only be possible for expensive cars during the next decade.

A MIGHTY CAR.

Messrs. Stratton-Instone are showing in Pall Mall the new " double-six " Daimler, which already embodies some of the aforesaid visions. This car may be said to be the " last word " in coachwork and engine design.: It has a top gear range of from two to eighty-five miles an hour.

CAR PARKING.

To meet the convenience of those who are attending the Motor Show, the R.A.C. has arranged for a car park near Addison Road Station, the entrance being in Russell Road, which turns out of the Hammersmith Road on the London side of the railway bridge. The charges are 2s. 6d. a day, or 10s. for the duration of the show.

PALMER TIRES.

The Palmer Flexicord—with the reinforced cushion of extra supple rubber, which is placed between the tread and the cord foundation—has been the,Sublect Of much favourable mmment during the past-season; and it is now recognized that this improvement adds materially to the " life " of the tire in more senses than one, besides greatly increasing its efficiency as a non-skid. The Pamir exhibit shows a much wider range of sizes than was available during the past season, and the wired edge covers for well base rims are now distinguishable by a new tread pattern. This has

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given great satisfaction in road tests during the past few Months.

TIRE RETREADING.

No part of a car will repay its owner better for attention than the tires, and if only for the sake of economy regulai tire care should be regarded as of very great importance. As soon as the tread is worn smooth there is danger of a skid, while the risk 0.f a burst or puncture is increased tenfold. Retreading worn tires is an economy, especially when it is carried out quickly and inexpensively. The Associated Rubber Manufacturers, Almagam Mills, Harpenden, retread any make and any size of pneumatic tire at a saving of over 60 pee cent. of the cost of a new tire.

THE NEW HUMBER.

While the makers of the well-known Humber car arc not departing from their policy of catering for the four-cylinder market, they have launched a more ambitious model in a 20/55 h.p. car of six cylinders. It is an open secret that this company has for a considerable time past been experimenting in this direction, though they have not offered their wares in the open market until convinced by prolonged road per- formance that they have developed a thoroughly reliable and efficient vehicle. A limited number, however, is already in the hands of private owners and I am told that the sweet and silent running, balance, flexibility and reserve of power of this production put it beyond question that Humbers have achieved a car that will still further enhance their reputation.

CHEAPER CLYNOS.

There is a fine display of Clyno cars at the Show, and these are sure to arouse a great deal of attention, especially as sweeping price reductions have been announced. One has only to observe the increasingly large number of Clyno cars on the road to realize their popularity. The reasons for this are not far to seek, being their reliability, economical main- tenance, smart appearance, and the ease with which they can be driven. Ranging in price from £160 for the 11 11.p. two-seater to £250 for the 12 h.p. saloon, there should be a car to suit every purpose and every pocket. The equipment includes everything that the motorist can desire. It may truly be said of the Clyno that there is nothing to buy but the licence.

TILE MINERVA.

After so many years of proven merit standing to the credit of the Minerva sleeve-valve engine," and in view' of its inter- national ieputaiion, it is hardly .necessary to emphasize its advantages. Yet theie are motorists who fail to realize the great economy of upkeep of this make of engine. At the end of each few thousand miles there is no need to have any adjustments made. Neither valve tappet resetting nor its equivalent has to be attended to. The engine retains its quiet'operation without these constant attentions, and the longer it is run the more it increases in smoothness and efficiency.

BErrEa

The A.A. do a great work in keeping the hotels of Great Britain up to standard, but more might still be done on the same lines by arousing public opinion on the subject. The Club des Cent of France issue some excellent recommendations to inn-keepers, some of which were quoted in last week's Motor. Here are some of the suggestions made—good cooking demands fresh vegetables, fresh butter and fresh milk—good coffee must be slowly made and without chicory—coffee prepared hours beforehand is always bad coffee—no chemical extracts should ever be served and no manufactured sauces- " feed your guests, not the flies"—" the club prefers good little hotels and-good little inns tun' by the owners "—" put covers on your sugar bowls, keep your biscuits in closed recep- tacles ; pepper also, unless it is ground out of little mills " . —" no dry mustard on the edge of the container." Small, but important details these, which make far more difference to the comfort of guests than pretentious furniture or the latest dance-music. Many an English inn-keeper pa;ght take the above suggestions to heart.