RATHER FUTILE
RATHER FUTILE
A contemporary suggests in an Editorial that a way of ensuring that foreign entrants really do run in our races would be to charge the full entry fee and refund it, in cases where it is usually waived, after the car has Started. In view of the fact that an entry of a team of cars in a big race seldom costs more than £00, often less, it seems that this is rather a futile suggestion, remembering what it ,costs to transport cars, drivers and staff to this country from abroad. For example, what can it have Cost Mercedes-Benz to import those five lorries, six cars, forty or fifty mechanics and to bring four drivers and the manager over by air from the race at Masaryk . . . ? No! The Only way to seal the bargain is to pay sensible appearance money, as Mr. Shields and Mr. Craner have .so con
vincingly shown us. The publicity resultant on entering but not appearing might in any case be worth the sum of the entry fees. And usually when a foreign team enters it seriously intends to come and is prevented quite genuinely by uncontrollable considerations—which, nevertheless, some £1,000 or so of guaranteed appearance money can be relied on to obviate !
NOT UNSTUCK
It is denied that Hans Von Stuck’s place in the Auto-Union team at Dottington was taken by Hasse as a result of a
disagreement. Apparently Stuck finds full length G.P. races rather too tiring and has a leaning towards record-breaking on the water.
VINTAGE SPORTS CAR CLUB
The followiiu. officials 11;ive bct. n appointed for the Northern Section of the Vintage Sports Car Club :—
Chairman : K T. Lewis.
Hon. Secretary : K. Neve, 36, Deacon Road, Widnes, Lancs.
Hon. Treasurer : P. Wike. lion. Activities Secretary : P. Lees. Hon. Press Secretary : G. W. Snelling. The new section seems to be fulfilling a long-felt need and the many inquiries and expressions of goodwill which are coining in a steady flow from many Northern areas indicate the presence of enthusiasm beyond expectation. Twentyfour followers, including four who had travelled over sixty miles, turned up for the first convivial gathering at the Junction Hotel in North Manchester. Another of these meetings will be held on October 22nd at the Waggon and Horses, righthand side, 24 miles north of Congleton,
on the main Wilmslow road. Anyone interested is urged to be present.
FORD MOTOR EXHIBITION
THE exhibition to be held at the Royal Albert Hall, from the 14th October to the 23rd, will not only display the wide range of the latest Ford cars, industrial power units, and accessories, but will tell the story of their design, manufacture and servicing by scores of demonstrations and ” action ” displays, the whole exhibition being full of life and movement. Most people like to ” see the wheels go round.” At the Ford Exhibition they will be taken behind the scenes, and men and machines from Ford Works, Dagenham, will show how things
are done. Following are a few of the on t standing exhibits.
Crankshaft Balancing
Dynamically testing Ford crankshafts for perfect balance—.-i.e. while the shaft is actually in rotation. The7balancing machine is one of the most interesting to see at work, and because of its high sensitivity is operated under conditions ensuring constant temperature.
The” Disappearing Engine”
In this intriguing demonstration a Ford ” Eight ” engine will gradually become transparent while rotating. The whole engine will then disappear. This is similar to the mystifying ” disappearing car ” demonstration which created so much interest last year.
How a” Soft” Clutch Works
A visual explanation of the principle of the Ford V8 ” centri-force ” clutch, showing how immense plate pressure is obtained with light pedal action. The clutch will be shown rotating at various speeds, corresponding to those attained
as the engine is accelerated or slowed down, and the centrifugal weights will be seen coming into operation to build up pressure as the speed mounts.
Car Radio Display
Specially arranged to show the design and construction of the latest Ford radio installations.
History of Linear Measurement
A pictorial account of man’s first efforts to create standards of length from parts of the human body—the first dim beginnings of measurement will be shown ..side by side with modern high-precision instruments capable of measurement to within two millionths of an inch, and which is the basis of modern precision production.
Precision Measurement
Examples of instruments used at Ford Works for high-precision gauging and measuring, including the Ultra Optimeter, with which measurements as small as one Millionth part of an inch can be obtained.
The Ford V8″ 30″
Many different examples of the wide range of modern body-styles available on the Ford V8 ” 30 ” chassis will be shown. In addition to the Touring Saloons (six-seaters with large luggage boots at the rear), body types include a handsome coupe, a club coupe, a cabriolet and a club cabriolet. The club coupe provides room for five passengers, while the club cabriolet is a beautiful convertible car which provides open or closed car
enjoyment for five occupants. Prices from £235. An interesting body type is the Utility Car, which is widely used on country estates.
The Improved Ford V8″ 22″
This well known five-seater saloon will be shown with newly-designed bodywork providing still greater roominess for rear passengers, and enlarged luggage accommodation, accessible by means of
an outside lid. It has achieved great popularity among British motorists who desire a spacious, refined and speedy car of medium power and Moderate running costs. Price 040.