From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Page from 'The Motor' magazine with articles on road care, a Ford assembly scheme, and a new Austin chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\5\ 05-page022 | |
| Date | 21th December 1918 | |
| 21st December, 1918. 495 The Motor NEWS.—Contd. CARE OF ROADS IN WINTER. Now that the reconstruction and repair of roads is receiving the attention of the authorities it is to be hoped that the requisite amount of care is given to the roads during winter. At no other time in the year do roads suffer so much from detrition. Most people appear to be under the impression that it is the ice and snow which actually break up the surface of the road. This, of course, is incorrect. An excess of water in most cases is the main reason. A road thoroughly soaked in water, when frozen, will expand, or, as it is called in road parlance, the road "heaves"; when it thaws this road simultaneously breaks up and the road becomes perfectly impassable. There is only one remedy for this, and it is to be hoped that our road-making authorities will adopt it. Keep the roads dry. To do this we must, of course, keep all drains clear, all ditches free from weeds, there will then be no cause to fear "road heaving" through frost and rain. REMARKABLE FORD HUSTLE SCHEME. The best time achieved for assembling a Ford complete is 41 mins. The latest development of the remarkable time-saving methods at the Ford works is for a customer to pass his cheque into a slot machine in the counting house, and press a button, when he is instantly whisked along on a travelling pathway at 20 miles an hour to the delivery end of the factory, three-quarters of a mile away, where he finds his car ready with the engine running, all—built during the short interval he has been getting to the exit. As he passes through the gates a mechanical hand shoots out and reaches him a light, whilst a concealed gramophone wishes him good day and good luck. AMERICAN TRADE FREE FROM 1ST JANUARY. After 1st January there will be no restriction on the manufacture of American passenger cars and trucks. Although no official word has been received from the War Industries Board as a whole, the chairman of the Automobile Products section of this board has officially told manufacturers that their pledges will be cancelled after 1st January, 1919. [Image of a car chassis] Austin “Twenty” chassis. Three-quarter view showing radiator. LIGHT ALLOY PISTONS FOR FORDS. A description and illustration of the Aerolite piston appeared some time ago, and it was mentioned that this type of piston offered certain advantages. It is much lighter than an ordinary cast-iron piston, and the skirt is provided with a series of slots which allow of a certain amount of spring ensuring close contact with the cylinder wall. The appended photograph is that of a set of Aerolite pistons designed specially to fit the Ford engine, and which, it is claimed, effect a considerable improvement in the running. Further information can be had from the Aerolite Piston Co., Hanover Court Yard, Hanover Street, London, W. THE RULE OF THE ROAD. A newspaper suggestion was made recently that the rule of the road should be altered so that drivers would keep to the right, instead of the left, as many thousands of drivers from France will have become so accustomed to driving on the right that accidents may occur when they have to conform to the left-hand rule. Such a far-reaching change, however, is considered impracticable, as there would be far more accidents than if the established rule were maintained. NEW SPRING WHEEL. A rather novel spring wheel has recently been accepted by the Patent Office. The hollow felloe of the wheel act as guides for rods, which connect the arched tyre on the rim to a pneumatic tube contained in the hub of the wheel. Two buffers are fitted to each rod, one pressing against the tyre and the other against the tube. Compression springs are fitted round the connecting rods. [Image of four pistons] Set of Aerolite pistons for Fords. [Image of a car chassis] The new post-war Austin “Twenty” chassis which was described in our issue of 17th December. 537 | ||