RUMBLINGS, August 1944
RUMBLINGS
It will be recalled that D. K. M. Marendaz once toyed with the idea of renovating” 30/98 ” Vauxhalls ; his plan never got under way, but, New subsequently, Crackington Motors, of
Wine . . Welwyn, and other firms did this work.
And H. M. Bentley and Partners, Ltd., made an excellent job of reconditioning old-school Bentleys, after these cars had gone out of production. We are now able to announce that after the war John Haining and L. H. Muskett hope to offer” 12/50 ” and “Silver Eagle” Alvis cars reconditioned in a similar manner. The scheme is to thoroughly overhaul these chassis at Haining’s Chester workshops and to fit light 2/4-seater sports shells, upholstering the front seats only, and fitting close-up wings, fold-flat screen, cut away for the driver’s elbow, a new, well-stocked instrument board, detachable valance over the rear dumbirons, outside exhaust system, etc. The lines would be rather like those of a Van den Plas 3-litre Bentley, with outside brake-lever, and equipment will probably be kept to a minimum. Clutch and brakes would be relined, transmission and axles overhauled, and engines rebored if necessary, and, in any case, restored to hale and hearty order. It is thought that such cars could be sold at £150 apiece, possibly less, and being (in the case of the ” 12/50 “) of 12 h.p. and able to give 25 m.p.g. or so, with proven reliability, they should certainly appeal to those enthusiasts anxious to get on the road at once in vintage type ears, or having no workshop facilities of their own. The idea could quite easily be extended in scope, to cover other makes, or to offer a full range of modern equipment in cars appealing to those with vintage sentiments. With the Red Army advancing at a truly cornMendable rate, and British and American Forces iienetrating deeper and deeper into France, the Nazi future just doesn’t exist. We all look forward to, and deserve, a quick return to peace. Even so, everyday things are likely to be a bit upset for some while after the armistice, and books, therefore, are likely to continue to play a considerable part in brightening the outlook for some time to come. More and better paper being then available, publishers should have their big chance. These thoughts are very satisfactory after seeing the Harborough Publishing Co., Ltd.’s latest effort : “The Book of Westland Aircraft,” by A. H. Lukins. This book, which sells for 12s. 6d., is truly beautifully produced, even by peace-time standards, and we sincerely hope to see others on the same lines following it, dealing, let us hope, not only with aeronautical subjects, but with motoring matters. This particular book gives a short history of the Westland concern, followed by a description and specification of each of its products, in every case accompanied by very excellent photographs and scale three-view drawings. The diverse products of Books
the Westland concern mean that some most unusual, as well as early and historic, aircraft are presented in this intimate and interesting manner. If the Harborough Publishing Co., Ltd., were able to produce such a work covering each of the big aircraft concerns, what a wonderful library that would make for aviation enthusiasts. Is it too much to hope that they will also do likewise for our world ? A history of RollsRoyce, Ltd., for instance, thus beautifully produced, would be most acceptable.
Another very stout effort in the book line is G. R. Doyle’s new edition of that stupendous little work, “The World’s Automobiles.” This amends the 1932 edition, putting in 500 American cars not previously included, extending British, French and other records to the outbreak of war or thereabouts, and altering certain errors. A supplement running to 30 pages covers these additions, and the author offers this, incorporated in a pen-and-ink amended main volume for 8s. 6d., or less to previous subscribers, w,ho are invited to enquire for terms. This little reference work is unique, and early application should be made to 22, Windmill Hill, Ruislip, as only 300 copies are available.
Unfortunately, as a telephone call from RiversFletcher pointed out, we were in error in respect of last month’s front cover explanation. Odds A poor printer’s ” pull,” from which and Ends little detail could be seen, led us to
confuse Den is Evans’s ex-Montlhery M.G. for Kenneth Evans’s Wilkinson-prepared Q-type M.G., while the car we said was a Riley is actually the V8 Harker-Special. Sorry ! Clutton recently queried Truffault shock-absorbers. ” J.R.E.” says they were a sort of primordial Hartford of the 1904 (or thereabouts) era, with oil-soaked leather discs sandwiched between steel ; Rolls-Royce apparently used a similar shockabsorber for years, with coned discs to increase friction.
” J.R.E.” also says that M. Bugatti overcame the manufacturing problems often associated with the guides for his Brescia-type ” banana ” tappets by arranging the tappets in pairs, each in a bronze casing, into which white-metal was run with the tappets held in the .correct position. Thus the accurately-fitting curved slots were obtained without machining ! This month’s cover picture shows E. K. Farley tackling a re-start test on the I3rooklands Test Hill in his Meadows-engined I -litre Cover H.R.G., during a J.C.C. Members’
Picture Day Meeting. Farley drove F.W.D.
Alvis and Singer cars before he competed with the H.R.G. It is an optical illusion that the car appears to be going downhill—or should we say curious cameracraft ?