Motoring Notes
The Brocklebank
- 14-9 SALOON. • - Fon the owner-driver there are many points which jump to the eye at once; -- The engine is a very neat job, get-at-able and well plaCed: 'The faii and pup-1p are combined and there is an automatic arrangement which does- away with the tiresome business of adjusting the fan belt. No blades are fitted to the fan, as it is found unnecessary to use one in this climate, though blades are supplied and can be fitted in a few minutes if required.
The radiator is a high one, giving the car a very smart appearance. There is none of the messy grease-gun business to be gone through on the Brocklebank ; the whole chassis is lubricated with engine-oil through spring-cap wick-feed offers. The oil filler for the engine is conveniently placed and is large enough to hasten the always slow process of filling up. It is fitted with a gauze filter and a dust excluder.
The steering is peculiarly light and the car simplicity itself to manage. The change-gear lever is of the ball and socket type with the three forward gears and reverse. The four-wheel brakes are Lockheed- hydraulic three-shoe servo and thoroughly efficient. I applied the foot brake -sharply On a greasy road and there was not the slightest tendency to skid, although the car directly in front of me was "skating " badly. As well as these four-wheel -brakes - the Brocklebank is fitted with a fifth brake on the cardan shaft ; this is actuated by the hand lever. The dash board and interior fittings will strike joy into every feminine heart. There are two good recesses for gloves and small sundries, and the more important items of clock, switches, speedometer, and oil-pressure gauge are well placed in a neat frame -instead of being scattered about ,as in many British cars._ This frame is cunningly lighted through slots from above, 'giving the driver a perfect view and eliminating ,all dazzle. The whole instrument board fitting hinges forward on undoing two thumbscrews, making adjust- ments, when necessary, a pleasure rather than a penance.
The standard model has four doors and adjustable bucket seats and is very fully fitted with additions to comfort. The Hartford shock absorbers ensure easy 'running.
There are two other points which make the Brocklebank an ideal car for the country and Dominions driver. 'Me- track is 4 ft. 8 in., making running on narrow lanes frequented by farm carts an easy matter instead of a somewhat precarious one as with the narrow track cars now so popular. There is a clearance of 91 in., too, which permits of running on roads which are -not of the best without the danger of removing the exhaust silencer. It is probably these two last-mentioned points, combined with the excellent brakes, efficient cooling, and reasonable cost which is giving the Brocklebank, although only in its second year, a big export trade to the Dominions. At £398 the Brocklebank 6-cylinder Gordon England saloon is really good value for money. It is a light and comfortable car and comparable in performance and appearance to many of the expensive cars on the market of the same rating. HONOR GOODITART.
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