Motoring Notes

The 35 H.P. Excelsior SIMPLICITY in design and operation is, perhaps, the most outstanding featurein this BzIgian ear, which I tested recently. While the car is on thc large side for an " owner-cleaner." it is so protected against neglect in oiling, and from dirt and mud, as to require the minimum of attention.

The chassis is neat and accessible, and is quite up to date in design. The six cylinders are in a single block With+ is separate from the crank-case. The cylinder head can be lifted without moving the overhead valve gear.

The overhead camshaft and valves are neatly encased, and forced lubrication through an oil channel in the centre of the camshaft, and from it, fed to each rocker arm, is an important factor in eliminating valve noise. Adjustment is simple.

Bore and stroke are 90 by 110 m.m. ; the tubular connecting rods and aluminium pistons have been kept as light as possible. The balanced crankshaft and camshaft rest in seven bearings, which adds materially to the smoothness of running.

The water pump, combined dynamo and magneto, and starter, are carried in line on the near side of the engine. [was glad to see that the magneto is easily accessible, though somewhat close to the exhaust pipe.

A Zenith carburettor—heated by a by-pass from the exhaust, and provided with a choke for easy starting, and a generously sized oil filler with filter, are placed on the off-side of the engine.

Petrol is fed by gravity from a vacuum tank 011 the slash. The main tank is unusual in holding as much as 26 gallons, and a filler at the side of the tank allows it to be filled even with luggage on the carrier, which is a very decided convenience and one not always to be found. There is a three-way tap near the oil filler, which enables the air-cooled sump to be emptied, and the oil level to be checked.

The rake of the steering column can be altered to the extent of some three inches. This is important, as in too many big cars one finds the wheel interfere with the vision of a driver of average height.

I was much impressed by oil reservoirs at vital points, such as spring shackles, cte. These feed the oil by means of a wick, and need only be filled every three months,--which owner- drivers will appreciate. There are only two places where grease is used, and the oil and grease gun has very siMple attachments.

Four-wheel brakes are, of course, fitted as standard, and are assisted by a Dewandre vacuum. These are worked diagonally in pairs by a cable, a turn buckle being the simple -means of adjustment in each ease. This system of coupling the near front and the off rear brakes, and similarly the other two, is an added safeguard. For instance, if the near front brake should not work then the off rear brake also would not work, and no skidding or barni results--however, the other pair of wheels will brake perfectly as usual. As the two cables do not need exactly equal adjustment or tension the owner-driver has here another cause for thankfulness.

In my opinion, too much care cannot be taken to sec that the brakes are large, simple of adjustment, and of the highest quality and efficiency : the Excelsior came up to every braking test I set it ; the ear stops very quickly, yet with no harshness, and with no pull to either side. The brakes act equally well when reversing.

The Excelsior chassis costs El ,000. The firm only make two models, the Standard chassis, and a Super Sports chassis, which costs an extra £.50. This model is fitted wit h t !tree carburettors, and can reach a Speed of 100 m.p.h.

I tested a new and consequently rather stiff standard chassis, fitted with only a test body, and was favourably impressed, with the acceleration and feeling of power.

The car has four speeds forward and reverse, with central control, and, although the engine had not been run in, I found 40, 55 and 72 m.p.h. to be the maximum speeds on second third and top gears. I am informed that this model is guaranteed to do 75 m.p.h. with a closed body ; with a new engine I could not take any liberties. Gear changing is normal and fairly easy, but a larger gate would be an improvement. The car is easy to handle in traffic. and can be driven at walking Pace on top gear. Steering is reasonably light, but a better lock would be an improvement. As the test body was light the springing was not seen at its best, but the car held the road well at high speeds. There is a stabilizing device at the back of the car, which assists in • preventing rolling, More particularly when cornering.

On hills I consider the performance distinctly good, and I was agreeably surprised at the quietness of the car on the lower gears.

I was shown two closed bodies built as standard by D'Ierteren • of Brussels, with a particularly complete equipment of tools and instruments, and, in addition, two spare wheels and tyres and luggage grid, at an inclusive figure of 11,650, which seemed very reasonable. These bodies had several novel features, and the comfort of the passengers had been very carefully studied. It is worthy of note that when one buys an Excelsior one does not need any of the usual extras, which add so much to the price of a car before it is ready for the road. Taken as a whole, the car has much to recommend it, and it has ample power and speed to niaintain a high average with